Jan Blachowicz’s comeback faces a dangerous new threat at UFC Belgrade

Jan Blachowicz will face Navajo Stirling in the UFC Belgrade co-main event on Aug. 1 in Serbia after a late opponent change, a notable shift in the light heavyweight lineup. The former UFC light heavyweight champion was set to rematch Bogdan Guskov, who instead accepted the UFC Abu Dhabi main event against Magomed Ankalaev after Khalil Rountree withdrew. The updated booking keeps Jan Blachowicz on the UFC Belgrade card against the unbeaten Navajo Stirling (10-0). Blachowicz said only small adjustments were needed for the new matchup. He enters on a four-fight winless run after a majority draw with Guskov in December; his last victory came in May 2022 against Aleksandar Rakic.