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- What: UFC 305 Co-Main Event
- Who: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
- Date: Saturday, August 17, 2024
- Location: RAC Arena in Perth, Australia
- Time: Early Prelims (6:30 p.m. ET), Prelims (8:00 p.m. ET), Pay-Per-View Card (10:00 p.m. ET)
- How to Watch: Early Prelims (ESPN+) Prelims (ESPN), Main Card (ESPN+ PPV)
The next UFC pay-per-view card on the schedule is UFC 305, which takes place on Saturday, August 17, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. In the main event of the ESPN+ streaming PPV card, UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis puts his title on the line against former two-time UFC 185-pound champion Israel Adesanya. In the co-main event, former UFC interim flyweight title challenger Kai Kara-France faces ex-UFC 125-pound title challenger Steve Erceg. Below is some background on Kara-France and Erceg before we look at the betting breakdown for UFC 305.
Kai Kara France (24-11-0-1) is the No. 4 fighter in the UFC flyweight rankings. He is on a two-fight losing skid, with his most recent setback being a split decision loss to Amir Albazi in June 2023.
Steve Erceg (12-2) is ranked No. 7 in the UFC’s 125-pound weight class. Erceg is coming off a decision loss to UFC flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja in May.
Before we look at the best bets for the Kara-France vs. Erceg scrap on the UFC 305 PPV card, check out the best UFC betting sites and where you can find our betting picks for the UFC 305 main event: Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya.
UFC 305 co-main event: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg betting picks
| Fighters |  |  |  |  |
| Kai Kara-France | +170 | +185 | +165 | +185 |
| Steve Erceg | -195 | -225 | -195 | -244 |
Kai Kara-France betting breakdown
Kai Kara-France started his run with the UFC in December 2018. In his first nine fights with the promotion, he went 7-2 with two knockout wins and five decision victories. In July 2022, while on a three-fight winning streak, he faced Brandon Moreno for the interim UFC flyweight title. Moreno won that bout by TKO in the third round. Kara-France followed that setback with a June 2023 decision loss to Amir Albazi. He was set to face Manel Kape in September 2023, but the 31-year-old pulled out of that contest after suffering a concussion in training camp.
Kara-France is a talented flyweight with a lot of skills. The New Zealander is mostly a kickboxer. He has a lot of power for a flyweight and he puts out his fair share of volume. He has good technical skills, and he is equally adept at fighting in close and at range. However, he is giving up four inches in height to Erceg, but he has a one-inch reach advantage over his UFC 305 opponent.
Kara-France lands 4.57 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 39 percent. He absorbs 3.24 strikes per minute, and his striking defense is 65 percent. Kara-France lands 0.63 takedowns per 15 minutes of action with an accuracy of 39 percent. His takedown defense is 65 percent.
Steve Erceg betting breakdown
It was a bit of a surprise to learn that Steve Erceg was getting a title shot after just three UFC bouts, but his “Performance of the Night” bonus-winning knockout of Matt Schnell in March was impressive enough to move him past some other higher-ranked flyweights who did not impress the UFC brass in recent outings. Erceg lost that title fight, but many viewers felt he should have received the nod from the judges.
Erceg is a striker. He has high-level boxing skills and works well off counters, something that could work in his favor against an opponent who moves forward as aggressively as Pantoja. Erceg is comfortable at range and in the clinch. When he is tied up with his opponent, he uses knees to the body and can unload sneaky fast elbows on the break. He employs slick head movement when he is on defense.
If there is a knock against Erceg, who fights out of Perth, it is that he can get a bit excited when he senses he is close to a finish. The 29-year-old has been tagged at these moments. Erceg also does well on the mat and has a good takedown game.
Erceg averages 4.52 significant strikes per minute and connects on 49 percent of his attempts. His defensive striking is 52 percent, and he absorbs 4.20 significant strikes per minute. On the grappling side, Erceg lands 1.24 takedowns per 15 minutes. His takedown success rate is 26 percent, while his takedown defense is 60 percent.
Best Bets: UFC 305 co-main event – Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
Expect a striking battle between these two. Kara-France has a power advantage, and Erceg tends to get hit more than he should with his skills. However, Erceg has the better boxing skills. If Erceg can use his height advantage well and prevent Kara-France from closing distance and landing kicks, Erceg should get the nod. The betting pick is Steve Erceg to beat Kai Kara-France by decision at UFC 305.
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