We have plenty of Kiwi flavour in this UFC Fight Night taking place in Seattle. Local favourite, Israel Adesanya, steps back into the Octagon, taking on Joe Pyfer in the main event.
In the prelims, Navajo Stirling will take on Bruno Lopes as he looks to go 9-0 and 4-0 in the UFC.
Let’s start with Stirling’s fight, then move into the main event 👇
Navajo Stirling has looked like on of the most exciting light heavyweight prospects since earning his UFC contract. He holds a perfect 3-0 record in the UFC with back-to-back unanimous decision wins over Ivan Erslan in May 2025 and Rodolfo Bellato in September 2025.
The City Kickboxing product will take on Bruno Lopes, who looked promising in his official UFC debut, but took a step back when he was KO’d in the first round by Dustin Jacoby in May 2025.
You just have to take one look at Navajo’s pedigree to know he’s the real deal. Coming out of City Kickboxing, he’s training with some of the best to do it, and now he gets to fight on the same card as Adesanya in what I’m assuming is a real pinch-me moment for him.
Not that he’ll be thinking too much about that.
Navajo’s two unanimous decision victories showed he has the ability to control a fight for 15 minutes without making any mistakes, and that’s the type of experience that beats Bruno Lopes.
If the Kiwi can control the pace of the fight and fight on his terms, Lopes becomes vulnerable. Considering he got floored by Dustin Jacoby, his chin will be the main target.
And Navajo’s striking ability certainly leans into a KO here. He’s done everything the UFC has asked of him so far, and with a statement win in Seattle, he can announce himself as a true light heavyweight contender.
Best Bet: Navajo Stirling Wins in Round 3 or by Points @ $2.70
Value: Navajo Stirling by KO/TKO in Round 2 @ $4.80
Israel Adesanya steps back into the Octagon, hoping to snap his first losing streak in his legendary career. Even with a loss, his roster spot will be safe. However, any relevance in the middleweight title conversation certainly fades.
A three-fight losing streak isn’t just something you can shrug off, and it’s right to question durability, speed, power, etc… However, his three losses aren’t quite as ugly as they appear.
It’s not like he’s been losing to bad fighters; it is simply that his speed and durability has slipped. He’s been caught or controlled by guys he would’ve laughed at five years ago.
In this match-up, it is truly a case of ‘old lion vs young lion’. Joe Pyfer has come into the UFC with plenty of hype following his Dana White Contender Series appearances.
The 29-year-old has shown plenty of skill and versatility in the octagon with wins by KO/TKO, sub and by way of decision. Beating some talented fighters along the way.
He’s a strong boxer who takes advantage of his size and skill, which could cause problems for ‘The Last Stylebender’ who, as we said above, is slowing down.
The double chance play is short but does cover the two most likely options in a win to Izzy by points or a Pyfer KO/TKO. Izzy might just be heading out there to survive and grind out a win like champions can, but Pyfer is hungry to establish himself as a true middleweight title contender.
And a KO/TKO win over a legend like Adesanya would go a long way.
The other way this fight goes is a statement win from the favourite.
If he is hungry, Adesanya can be the best middleweight in the world. If he’s regained some of his speed and power, his accuracy and fight IQ will take care of the rest.
Best Bet: Israel Adesanya By Points or Joe Pyfer By KO/TKO @ $1.65
Value: Israel Adesanya By KO/TKO @ $4.00