Steve Erceg's flyweight title hopes have suffered a huge blow after the Australian was knockout out in brutal fashion during his UFC bout against Ramazan Temirov in Abu Dhabi.
Erceg (14-5) was knocked unconscious with 39 seconds remaining in the opening round of Saturday's (Sunday AEST) co-main event, ending his two-fight winning streak.
Things looked ominous for Erceg when he was put on his backside just 10 seconds into the fight after copping a brutal spin kick to the mid-riff.
But it was in the last 70 seconds of the opening round when the true brutality of Temirov rained down on the Perth fighter.
Temirov, who gave up significant height and reach to his opponent, but was a package of muscle, sent Erceg to the canvas with a powerful right-hand blow.
Erceg was floored again a short time later, but momentarily regained his composure by wrestling his way back up to his feet.
But with Temirov sensing a kill, Erceg's attempts to survive the round were in vain.
Temirov caught Erceg with a series of rights as the West Australian attempted to retreat.
Two quick-fire left-right combinations left Erceg further dazed, and Temirov finished the fight with a powerful right.
Erceg's legs buckled as he lost consciousness, with the referee rushing in to cover the 30-year-old Aussie as he crumpled to the canvas.
Temirov (20-3) was fighting for the first time in 16 months, having served a one-year ban for doping.
He is now on a 12-fight winning streak and eager to get a crack at the belt.
Erceg came close to winning the flyweight belt in 2024 when he almost toppled Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil.
But with four losses from his past six fights, Erceg now faces a long and winding road before he is given another opportunity.
In the other co-main event fight in Abu Dhabi, Magomed Ankalaev secured a technical knockout victory over Bogdan Guskov in the fifth round of their light heavyweight bout.
Australian Associated Press
