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Hagley Park In Stadium Live FeedKara-France makes title statement with first-round finish of local hero Erceg at UFC 305 in Perth
Stephen Foote • August 18th, 2024 4:18 pm
Kiwi flyweight Kai Kara-France has scored one of the most impressive wins of his career with a first-round TKO of local hero Steve Erceg at UFC 305 in Perth on Sunday.
The benefits of a 14-month layoff were clear for Kara-France, who lived up to his 'Don't Blink' by landing a laser overhand right to send Erceg to the canvas in the first round, before swarming with strikes to force the referee to intervene.
The result snaps a two-fight skid for the Aucklander and should lock him in for the next shot at champion Alexandre Pantoja's belt.
It also earned him the post-fight bonus for performance of the night, while teammate Dan Hooker took home a fight of the night sweetener.
It had been an emotional week for Kara-France, who has been forced to take time away from the mat to deal with a concussion suffered during training.
But he showed no signs of rust, returning to usurp Perth product Erceg's remarkable momentum, which has seen him rise from debutant to title challenger in less than a year.
Kara-France's performance added another sparkling highlight to the day for City Kickboxing, coming immediately after teammate Dan Hooker's upset win over Mateusz Gamrot.
In the main event, cohort Israel Adesanya was beaten via fourth-round submission in his title challenge against Dricus Du Plessis.
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