Kai Kara-France blasts Steve Erceg for first-round KO

Kai Kara-France has thrown his title proper again within the hat.

In a pivotal flyweight co-main occasion Saturday at UFC 305, Kara-France (24-11 MMA, 7-4 UFC) dusted Steve Erceg (12-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and completed the battle with punches at 4:04 of Spherical 1. The bout befell at RAC Enviornment in Perth, Australia.

The ending sequence started when Kara-France knocked down Erceg with a left hand. Erceg crashed to the canvas, flat on his again, along with his head whiplashing backward. Erceg proved more durable than that, nonetheless, as he survived and acquired again to his ft.

Kara-France didn’t take his foot off the fuel and continued to hunt Erceg, who he dropped once more. This time, Erceg curled up on his abdomen and the battle was stopped.

The battle was Kara-France’s first since a controversial cut up determination loss to Amir Albazi in June 2023. He revealed previous to the battle that his time away from competitors was because of concussion points. The wait proved sensible, as Kara-France snaps a two-fight skid and reaffirms his place among the many elite of the division.

Erceg loses in his first battle after a title problem loss in opposition to Alexandre Pantoja in Might. Erceg misplaced by unanimous determination, however gained the respect of many for his success within the battle.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 305 outcomes embody:

• Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg through TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 4:04
• Dan Hooker def. Mateusz Gamrot through cut up determination (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa through cut up determination (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
• Carlos Prates def. Li Jingliang through knockout (punch) – Spherical 2, 4:05
• Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa through technical submission (heel hook) – Spherical 1, 4:56
• Ricardo Ramos def. Josh Culibao through cut up determination (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Casey O’Neill def. Luana Santos through unanimous determination (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
• Jack Jenkins def. Herbert Burns through TKO (referee stoppage) – Spherical 3, 0:48
• Tom Nolan def. Alex Reyes through unanimous determination (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Track Kenan def. Ricky Glenn through unanimous determination (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
• Jesus Aguilar def. Stewart Nicoll through technical submission (guillotine choke) – Spherical 1, 2:39

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 305.