Temirov Flatlines Erceg with Sensational First-Round KO at UFC Abu Dhabi

Ramazan Temirov returned from a long absence and stopped ranked flyweight Steve Erceg with a devastating first-round TKO. The shorter Uzbek prospect overcame a clear size gap and ring rust to score one of the night’s most explosive finishes in Abu Dhabi.

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Ramazan Temirov had every reason to look rusty after sitting out roughly seventeen months, yet the compact power-puncher from Uzbekistan walked into Etihad Arena and treated the co-main event like a highlight reel. Facing Steve Erceg, a taller and more experienced ranked contender who held a four-inch height advantage and longer reach, Temirov wasted zero time establishing the pace. He backed the Australian up with heavy overhand rights almost immediately, forcing Erceg to the fence and never allowing him to settle into the measured striking game he prefers. The pressure kept building until one clean right hand landed flush and folded Erceg for the TKO at 4:21 of the opening round.

That kind of finish after such a lengthy layoff turns heads for a reason. Temirov had been forced to the sidelines by a twelve-month suspension related to a positive test for Trimetazidine, a substance he maintained was prescribed for a medical condition, and the time away left plenty of questions about his timing and durability. Those questions disappeared the moment he started walking Erceg down. The shorter man closed distance effectively, absorbed the early exchanges, and unloaded with the kind of one-shot power that has defined his recent run. Erceg, previously ranked inside the top ten and coming off a respectable stretch, simply could not match the volume or the force once Temirov found his rhythm.

The victory improves Temirov to 20-2 overall and a perfect 3-0 inside the Octagon while stretching his current win streak to twelve fights. Erceg falls to 14-5. UFC later recognized the performance with Performance of the Night honors, and Temirov made it clear he believes the win puts him in the conversation for bigger opportunities at 125 pounds. A four-inch height disadvantage and nearly a year and a half of inactivity would stop most fighters. Temirov turned both into footnotes and left the arena looking like one of the most dangerous short-notice threats in the division.

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