The UFC returns to Perth, Australia in August and the card is starting to take shape. This week we learned that the main event will feature the grudge match for the middleweight title between champion Dricus Du Plessis and promotional superstar Israel Adesanya.
However, the Australian card is also going to feature an absolute banger in the flyweight division. It was alluded to last weekend on the broadcast and it’s been reported by Australian reporter Benny P, but top flyweights Steve Erceg (12-2) and Kai Kara-France (24-11) will fight on the August 17th PPV.
Starting with Kara-France, this will be his first fight since his split decision loss to Amir Albazi last June. That was a rough fight for Kara-France in the sense that everyone believed he won the fight outside of two judges. Including myself, 20 out of 22 media members scored the fight including many who scored it 49-46. Yet, two judges gave the win and the decision to Albazi.
Because of the terrible judging, Kara-France is now on a two-fight losing streak. Prior to the Albazi loss, he lost to Brandon Moreno in a fight for the interim UFC flyweight title. He was supposed to return in September to face Manel Kape but he suffered a concussion in training and is just now cleared to return to the octagon.
UFC 305
Speaking of heartbreaking decision losses, you can’t help but think about Steve Erceg. Erceg was the tenth ranked flyweight in the world and is currently ninth, but he was given a golden opportunity. On the heels of an insane knockout over Matt Schnell, Erceg got a title fight against Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil at UFC 305.
Through four rounds, Erceg fought incredible. I along with two of the judges had the fight even going into the final round. One judge had Pantoja up 3-1 which I still don’t understand. Erceg was dominating the standup and Pantoja was exhausted. Through the first half of the round, Erceg looked like he was going to become UFC flyweight champion.
Then, for some reason I’ll never understand, he tried to takedown the far superior grappler in Pantoja. Pantoja reversed the position and ended up on top where he rode out the rest of the fight. That decision cost Erceg massively and Pantoja won the final round on the two judges scorecards who had it even and he retained his flyweight title.
Erceg had the UFC flyweight title in his hands and he let it slip. However, the 28-year-old proved he’s one of the best in the world and I do think he’s a future champion. This is going to be a helluva fight with a local feel as Erceg is from Perth and Kara-France is from New Zealand. This has Fight of the Night written all over it.