Navajo Stirling has earned his place among the best mixed martial artists in the world.

In his headline bout on Dana White’s Contender Series with a UFC contract on the line, the 26-year-old Kiwi claimed an emphatic second-round knockout over American Phillip Latu.

“Stirling looked incredible,” White said when announcing the contract winners on the ESPN broadcast.

“He’s a true light heavyweight, and he did impress me tonight. He was in there with a very tough guy who was mixing it up really well and he delivered tonight.

“I’m interested. I want to see what he can do in the UFC.”

It was a left hook that did the damage for Stirling, who showed a patient approach against an opponent with power in his hands.

Stirling looked settled as soon as the bout began, showing variation with his strikes and targets while avoiding most of what was being thrown back in his direction.

Down the back end of the first round, he mixed in some wrestling as well, and although he was unable to secure a takedown, he got some shots away in the clinch.

After having the better of the first round, Stirling started the second in similar fashion, and looked to have connected well with a knee in the clinch early on, followed by an elbow over the top. Whether or not they hit flush, they did appear to impact Latu on top of fatigue setting in, and an exchange of left hooks just seconds later saw Stirling plant Latu on the canvas – no follow-up shots were needed.

“I knew it was coming,” Stirling said of earning a contract.

“I knew [Dana White] just needed 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 too much bad damage. I’ve been active as, this year. I’ve been trying to get fights since December, I was training right through Christmas.

“I’m ready to go.”

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.