Jesse Stirn Ready to Solve the Cage’s Next Riddle
With the PFL playoffs just around the corner, several fighters will be given a worldwide platform to showcase. Already with a win under the PFL banner at last year’s championship show, Jesse Stirn will be looking to put the world on notice that he belongs full-time on the PFL roster. Stirn is on a five-fight winning streak including his big PFL win in his last outing.
Finding MMA and Development
Compared to most successful MMA fighters, Stirn did not find the sport until later on in life. “I came into the sport at a relatively later age than most people think (18 years old.) I witnessed a fight on the TV, Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia, if my memory serves. I became intrigued at the smaller person outmaneuvering the larger one. There’s technique and strategy to this! And instantly became hooked. I started looking for gyms the very next day,” Stirn told MYMMANEWS.
Like any successful MMA fighter though, Stirn recognizes it takes many people and teams to build a fighter. In reference to people to thank, “I could recite the whole list, but it would be a thousand pages. You live quite a journey fighting for 14 years. Every single interaction and hardship plays its role to build who I am today. The supporters, the doubters, the ego maniacs, the hopeful friends, and forever understanding relationship partners,” said Stirn.
Wealth of Training
With 14 years of mixed martial arts, comes a wealth of knowledge to apply from all over the world. “Though most of my training was at Ground Control Academy, with greater challenges comes the need for greater perspective,” stated Stirn. “Although the bulk of my career was spent there (and still is) I had a need to broaden my perspective and find alternate challenges elsewhere. Ground Control, Method MMA, 50/50, Crazy 88, Bowerhouse, Nomad, Gunn Academy, Jitti Gym, Tiger Muay Thai, Q23 Academy, Phuket Muay Thai, and many more.”
” I do a large majority of my training on my own now. Building/troubleshooting techniques, learning new knowledge, and testing it/refining it with my peers. We have learned that a closer community could help us compete on global stages, not just local ones.”
Upward Trajectory Career
After an undefeated amateur career that show him go 6-0 (according to Tapology) with one of those being a Muay Thai bout, Stirn made the move to the professional ranks in April 2015. Stirn would start off his professional career with three finishes before tasting defeat for the first time. After some growing pains in the middle of his professional career thus far, Stirn received the call to compete on the PFL stage.
He took the two PFL experience to learn and came out with a four-fight winning streak on the regional circuit before returning to the PFL cage. Retooled, the third time was the charm seeing Stirn pick up the decision win over Josh Blyden at PFL 10: 2023 Championships.
For Stirn, what would a second victory mean to him? “It’s just another day. I want to perform my best. The best way to give you all the gold you want to see is to take the pressure off of the moment. World stage or regional show doesn’t matter. I am there to do a job and do it well, and I don’t concern myself with the wins, losses, or streaks. I face a problem and mean to solve it. Perez is that problem and he is going to be a tough one to try and figure out,” stated Stirn. Jose Perez is currently 8-1, serving as the Cage Fury FC featherweight champion.
PFL 9: 2024 Playoffs
Stirn told us what to expect when we see the cage door close behind these two featherweights at PFL 9: 2024 Playoffs on August 23, 2024. “Two narratives, two lifelong struggles, two families clashing with a single victor. With every winner there is a loser. It’s a story as old as time and will be filled with a roller coaster ride of action until the referee stops us. Perez will bring his ‘A’ game and I will enjoy every moment of it. Respect always,” said Stirn.
