UFC Seattle MMA Match Preview: Navajo Stirling (8-0-0) vs. Bruno Lopes (14-2-0)

Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington, United States.

Start Times: Prelims begin at 5:00 PM EDT (this bout is on the prelims card, fight #3 of 13); Main Card at 8:00 PM EDT. The full event streams on Paramount+.

This is a preliminary card light heavyweight clash on a stacked UFC Fight Night headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer.

Injury Report

No injuries or withdrawals have been reported for either fighter. The bout remains fully confirmed and on schedule with both athletes expected to compete at full strength.

Fighter Matchups and Profiles

Navajo Stirling (Auckland, New Zealand – City Kickboxing)

Record: 8-0-0

Age: 28

Height/Reach: 6’4″ / 79″

UFC Ranking: #24 Light Heavyweight

Style: Technical kickboxer (orthodox stance). Relies on range management, stinging jab, leg kicks, and high-volume striking with excellent composure and takedown defense (~75%). Has shown solid grappling under pressure but prefers to keep fights standing. Four finishes (all KO/TKO) and four decisions in his career.

Bruno Lopes (“The Brazilian Cowboy,” Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil – China Team)

Record: 14-2-0

Age: 32

Height/Reach: 6’2″ / 74.5″

UFC Ranking: ~#36-37 Light Heavyweight

Style: Well-rounded MMA fighter (BJJ black belt, Muay Thai black belt). Explosive power, aggressive forward pressure, six KO/TKO wins, and five submission wins (including arm triangles and guillotines). Strong finishing threat early but has shown vulnerabilities in chin durability (two career KO losses).

Key Physical/Style Edges: Stirling holds a significant 3-inch height and 4.5-inch reach advantage, allowing him to dictate range against the shorter, pressure-oriented Lopes. Stirling’s youth, undefeated momentum, and City Kickboxing pedigree contrast with Lopes’ experience but recent finishing struggles.

Recent Form

Navajo Stirling (8-0, riding 8-fight win streak):

Sept. 27, 2025 – UD (3 rounds) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs. Reyes)

May 10, 2025 – UD (3 rounds) vs. Ivan Erslan (UFC 315)

Dec. 14, 2024 – UD (3 rounds) vs. Tuco Tokkos (UFC Fight Night)

Sept. 10, 2024 – KO/TKO (Punch, R2) vs. opponent (DWCS 8.5)

Stirling has gone the distance in all three UFC appearances but dominated with superior striking volume and control. He is improving his wrestling defense and remains composed even when tested.

Bruno Lopes (14-2, 1-1 in UFC):

May 31, 2025 – KO/TKO loss (Punch, R1, 1:50) vs. Dustin Jacoby (UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Barber)

Jan. 11, 2025 – UD win (3 rounds) vs. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2)

Aug. 13, 2024 – KO/TKO win (Punch, R2) vs. Mikheil Sazhiniani (DWCS 8.1)

Lopes showed finishing power on the Contender Series but was starched in his most recent outing, exposing potential chin concerns against elite strikers.

Fight History Summary

Stirling’s pro career is short but dominant: 50% finishes, 50% decisions, zero losses. He has never been finished and excels in three-round fights by outworking opponents at range. Lopes (pro since 2013) boasts a well-rounded resume with regional titles (2x LFA Champion) and multiple first-round finishes, but his two losses are both early KOs. He is 1-1 in the UFC with one highlight-reel win and one quick defeat.

FIGHT ODDS

Navajo Stirling                  – 460

Bruno Lopes                       + 340

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 27, 2026