Kai Kara-France beats Steve Erceg within one round

The co-main event of UFC 305 on Saturday at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia was a key flyweight bout featuring top contenders Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg.

Kara-France entered as the No. 4 contender in her weight class, while Erceg was ranked No. 7 despite having challenged for the 125-pound title earlier this year.

Erceg held the middle early in the opening round, which featured a lot of movement and probing with minimal strikes. Kara-France used a lot of feints while Erceg began pumping his jab. However, a round with relatively little action exploded towards the end of the final minute when Kara-France sent Erceg down with a left! Erceg staggered back to his feet, but Kai Kara-France was hot on his heels! Erceg went down again with a right, and Kara-France charged in and pulled the referee in to save him!

With a number 4 next to his name, Kai Kara-France now has 13 first-round knockouts and could earn a title shot. With most of the top contenders coming off losses (or being released), it would be hard to argue against that.

“I want my actions to be my loudest voice,” Kara-France said after the win and asked if he should fight for the title. The New Zealand native had not fought since June 2023. He had previously challenged Brandon Moreno to an interim fight.

Official result: Kai Kara-France defeats Steve Erceg by TKO (punches), round 1, 4:04