Twelve months ago, New Zealand’s Navajo Sterling, an experienced striker, had an MMA record of 1-0. Now he joins his City Kickboxing team mates in the UFC having been awarded a contract after this week’s Dana White Contender Series.
The 26-year-old light-heavyweight stopped Phillip Latu with a left-hook to earn the praise of the UFC president.
The win came 2:21 of round two and took his MMA record to an unblemished 5-0.
“I’ve been hidden away in New Zealand. I’ve been caged far too long. It’s finally good to show people that I’m here,” Sterling told UFC presenter Laura Sanko immediately following the fight.
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There was no doubt in White’s mind that he deserved the contract, commenting “Sterling looked incredible. He is 26-years-old, he is 5-0, he is 6 foot 4, a true light-heavyweight and he did impress me tonight. He obviously in there with a very tough guy who was mixing it up real well and he delivered. I’m interested and want to see what he can do in the UFC.”
“Congratulations, you are in.”
Sterling was confident in getting the contract stating, “I knew he just had to get his eyes on me and I would handle it from there.”
“I would love to make my UFC debut this year. I didn’t really take any bad damage. I’ve been active as this year been trying to get fights since December, training right through Christmas.”
“I am ready to go,” he finished.
