Navajo Stirling has given a vivid account of what he says was a dramatic fight‑week collapse by fellow fighter Quemuel Ottoni at Dana White’s Contender Series, an episode that preceded the Brazilian’s bout being pulled from the card.
What Stirling says happened
Stirling, who sealed his own path to the Ultimate Fighting Championship with a knockout on the Contender Series in 2024, says he shared a locker room with Ottoni in the build‑up to the event. According to Stirling, Ottoni was outwardly aggressive during fight week and at the weigh‑ins, but then visibly crumpled on fight night.
“The guy that was on Contenders [Series] was probably the worst one… At the weigh‑ins, he is puffing his chest… We get to the fight night and he just started crying. He took his gloves off three or four times. They had to re‑wrap his hands.”
Stirling told Full Send MMA that Ottoni removed his gloves repeatedly, ripped off his hand wraps and became so distressed that cutman Brad Tate refused to re‑wrap his hands after a point. Stirling said the bout was eventually called off; the opponent, Kody Steele, later went on to win a contract in a subsequent Contender Series outing.
Context and aftermath
Both Brad Tate and Kody Steele have since confirmed Stirling’s recollection of events. The background to the episode adds to the interest: Ottoni is known for a notable early career win when he submitted Alex Pereira in Pereira’s professional debut in 2015. Since then, the two careers have taken very different routes — Pereira progressing to the very top of the sport, while Ottoni has remained on the regional scene.
Ottoni’s career after the Contender Series incident has been sparse; the source notes he has fought only once since, suffering a first‑round technical knockout loss. By contrast Stirling, who remains undefeated at 10‑0, has already recorded five stoppage victories.
- Navajo Stirling: record reported as 10‑0; earned a UFC contract via knockout on Contender Series in 2024.
- Quemuel Ottoni: record reported as 12‑4; did not make his walk for the Contender Series bout after the reported breakdown.
- Kody Steele: the scheduled opponent; later secured a contract on Contender Series in a subsequent appearance.
| Fighter | Record (as reported) | Notable detail |
|---|---|---|
| Navajo Stirling | 10‑0 | Won Contender Series by knockout; signed to the UFC. |
| Quemuel Ottoni | 12‑4 | Removed from card after reported emotional breakdown. |
| Kody Steele | — | Later won a Contender Series contract. |
Local reaction and what it means
For Stirling’s local supporters, his account offers a rare behind‑the‑scenes glimpse of the pressure fighters face on fight night. It also underscores how quickly a fight card can change — with consequences for athletes, teams and event promoters.
Stirling’s remarks have been corroborated by people involved, which strengthens the account. The episode raises wider questions about fighter welfare and the support systems in place at high‑stakes events, though no further comment from event organisers is included in the source material.
As Stirling prepares to build on his unbeaten run in the UFC, his reflections on that night remain a striking reminder of how unpredictable the sport can be outside the cage as well as inside it.
