Ramazan Temirov runs through Steve Erceg. Ramazan Temirov needed less than five minutes to announce himself as a legitimate contender in the UFC flyweight division.
The co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov featured a pivotal flyweight showdown between Steve Erceg and Asu Almabayev at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The bout carried major implications for the 125-pound division. Erceg entered the contest looking to work his way back into title contention after falling short in his championship bid, while Almabayev arrived determined to continue his rise and secure the biggest win of his UFC career.
Steve Erceg entered the co-main event with renewed confidence after bouncing back from a difficult stretch. Following his unsuccessful UFC flyweight title challenge against Alexandre Pantoja and subsequent defeats to Brandon Moreno and Kai Kara-France, the Australian responded with consecutive unanimous decision victories over Ode’ Osbourne and veteran Tim Elliott. Those back-to-back wins restored his momentum and put him back in the flyweight rankings.
Ramazan Temirov came into Abu Dhabi as one of the division’s most exciting rising contenders. The Uzbek flyweight had put together an impressive winning streak inside the UFC, earning victories with his aggressive striking, relentless pressure, and knockout power. Every performance had elevated his stock, and earning a co-main event spot against a former title challenger marked the biggest opportunity of his career. A victory over Erceg would have instantly pushed him into the flyweight title conversation.
The fight started, and Temirov had no interest in feeling out his opponent. Both fighters touched gloves before taking the center of the Octagon. Erceg looked calm and tried to establish his jab early, but Temirov wasted no time pressing forward. Temirov mixed up his attacks well, throwing quick punches before landing a spinning backkick to the body. Moments later, he followed with another spinning attack that caught Erceg as he tried to move in. Erceg fired back with a few clean punches of his own, but Temirov continued walking him down and throwing with power.
As the round progressed, Temirov found his opening; he landed a huge right hand that dropped Erceg to the canvas. The Australian showed incredible heart by getting back to his feet, but he was still hurt. Sensing the finish, Temirov stayed patient instead of rushing in. He closed the distance and landed another crushing right hand that sent Erceg face-first to the canvas. The referee immediately stepped in, waving off the contest at 4:21 of the opening round as Temirov celebrated the biggest finish of his professional career.
The spectacular knockout extended Temirov’s unbeaten UFC run to 3-0 and instantly thrust him into the flyweight rankings conversation. After stopping a former title challenger in devastating fashion, the Uzbek contender made it clear that he’s ready for the division’s elite. For Steve Erceg, the defeat marked a painful setback in his bid to return to title contention, while Temirov left Abu Dhabi with the biggest scalp of his career and one of the most memorable knockouts of the night.
Check out UFC Abu Dhabi results below.
Main Card
Magomed Ankalaev def. Bogdan Guskov via TKO (strikes) (R5, 2:41)
Ramazan Temirov def. Steve Erceg via TKO (strikes) (R1, 4:21)
Magomed Zaynukov def. Damian Rzepecki via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune via TKO (strikes) (R3, 1:12)
Abubakar Vagaev def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Preliminary Card
Valter Walker def. Thomas Petersen via submission (calf slicer) (R1, 1:32)
Muhammad Saidov def. Dustin Jacoby via TKO (strikes) (R2, 4:49)
Sam Patterson def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO (strikes) (R2, 3:06)
Axel Sola def. Ismael Bonfim via submission (D’Arce choke) (R1, 4:44)
Magomed Tuchalov def. Brendson Ribeiro via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Nurullo Aliev def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Abdul Hussein def. Cody Gibson via submission (head-and-arm choke) (R3, 3:07)
The main card bout between Islam Dulatov and Wellington Turman has been cancelled due to a Dulatov illness.
