Jan Blachowicz Returns Against Undefeated, Unranked Prospect

The former light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz will return to action and take on the undefeated, unranked Navajo Sterling. The bout is set to take place at UFC Belgrade in Serbia on August 1st.

The bout comes after Blachowicz's original bout against Bogdan Guskov was cancelled due to the latter filling in for Khalil Rountree Jr against Magomed Ankalaev. It is rumoured that Blachowicz was offered the Ankalaev fight, which would serve as a rematch, however, would have been unable to make the weight and Ankalaev wouldn't accept a catchweight bout.

Jan Blachowicz Set for Return

The Polish superstar will be looking for his first win since 2022 when he defeated Aleksandar Rakic as a result of an injury. The last time he recorded a legitimate finish victory six years ago against Dominick Reyes.

Since his last victory, he drew with Ankalaev in an extremely close fight. He would then welcome Alex Pereira to light heavyweight, losing via split decision. After a two year lay off, he would return against a surging Carlos Ulberg, again going on to be on the wrong side of a decision.

Last time out, Blachowicz fought to a draw with Bogdan Guskov and was looking to get that one back, but it will be Sterling that stands across from him in Belgrade.

Sterling's Rise

28 year old Navajo Sterling fights out of City Kickboxing and can lean on the tactics used by teammate, Carlos Ulberg to get the victory in Belgrade.

At 6'4", Sterling holds six KO/TKO victories, including two in his last two outings. He recieved a contract on the Contender Series in 2024 and went 3-0 in his first year with the promotion. All of these wins came via decision.

2026 has been somewhat of a turning point for Sterling, who has gone 2-0 with two finishes. In March he finished Bruno Lopes in the second round and followed that up with a finish of Ion Cutelaba in June.

He'll look to pick up the biggest scalp of his career and get ranked with a win over Jan Blachowicz.