UFC 305: Why this trans-Tasman grudge match could steal the show

The high-level action isn’t just limited to the top of the UFC 305 card this Sunday in Perth. A flyweight fight could steal the show.

Kai Kara-France (L) and Steve Erceg (R) are ready to steal the show. Picture: Will Russell/Zuffa LLC

It’s not often that a flyweight fight could steal the show, but that’s the case for the UFC 305 co-main event between Perth’s Steve Erceg and New Zealander Kai Kara-France.

It’s a bout that will have huge ramifications for the 125-pound division and is the most high-stakes trans-Tasman fight since Robert Whitaker and Israel Adesanya’s two title fights.

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Just don’t expect them to hurl insults and trash talk at each other all week.

“There’s a lot of mutual respect, but we’re both ruthless competitors and we’re gonna go out there and try to hurt each other really badly until the ref steps in,” Erceg says bluntly.

“It’s gonna be exciting.”

Erceg has enjoyed an astronomical rise in the UFC.

While the West Australian was just starting out in his amateur career many years ago, Kara-France was already a high-level professional knocking on the door of the UFC.

Erceg has had a remarkable rise in the UFC. Picture: Getty Images

But after making his debut in June 2023, Erceg was thrown into a surprise title fight against champion Alexandre Pantoja just 11 months and three bouts later.

He lost an agonising decision in Brazil, but proved to the world how good he really is in taking Pantoja the distance.

“I’m still devastated I lost, but now I know I can hang at that level,” he said. “I was able to go five rounds and push the pace.

“But now I know where my deficiencies are and I’ve just been working on those to keep building towards another title shot.”

Erceg is realistic when asked how far away another crack at the belt is.

“After this one, I’ll probably need another two to get there,” he said. “Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira are there, Amir Albazi is back and Brandon Moreno will be back at some stage too.

“So it’s likely I’ll need two more fights, but you never know how things will turn out – I didn’t expect to get the first title shot so soon, so we’ll see.”

Kara-France is one of New Zealand’s brightest prospects. Picture: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Kara-France doesn’t think he’ll have to wait that long.

“When I go out there on Sunday and make a statement and take out the hometown boy, that will make me skip the line,” he told this masthead. “There’s a lot of guys coming through, but taking out a guy that’s just fought for the title is gonna hold a lot of weight.”

And although he hasn’t fought in nearly two years, and is coming back from a serious concussion in 2023, Kara-France is adamant he’ll make a statement on Sunday.

“I have the experience over Steve,” he said. “I’ve been in the UFC for a little while now, I’ve had these big moments, I’ve fought former world champions and guys who were undefeated.

“Even though we’re fighting in Steve’s hometown, I feel I’m gonna get a hometown reception. It’s a great fight for this region.

“There’s not many flyweights co-headlining a pay-per-view, and this can’t be anything but fireworks.”