Rankings Shakeup: Navajo Stirling rises, Jan Blachowicz at crossroads

Jan Blachowicz's freefall has accelerated dramatically. The 43-year-old Polish light heavyweight hasn't recorded a decisive victory since March 2021, when he handed Israel Adesanya his first MMA loss while defending his title. His last win came in May 2022 when Aleksandar Rakic suffered an injury in the third round. Now, after two losses and two draws, Blachowicz absorbed a devastating knockout from undefeated Navajo Stirling in less than three minutes at UFC Belgrade last Saturday in the co-main event.

Complicating matters, commentator Jon Anik noted during Blachowicz's walkout that the veteran can no longer lift weights due to discomfort—a troubling sign for a fighter at this stage. Stirling, accepting the bout on short notice to replace Bogdan Guskov (who had stepped in for an injured Khalil Rountree and lost badly to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi), made the jump to elite competition look seamless.

Stirling's impressive victory earned him entry into the rankings at No. 6, tied with PFL light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson. At just 28 and still developing, the undefeated fighter sits on the cusp of the division's top five. His rise is complicated by his friendship and training partnership with Carlos Ulberg, who currently holds the UFC 205-pound title, but Stirling appears primed for a title shot.

Blachowicz, by contrast, tumbled four spots to No. 10—dangerously close to falling out entirely and potentially signaling the end of his competitive career. Meanwhile, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker entered the rankings following his successful light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov at UFC 329.