Kara-France vs. Erceg 8/17/24 – UFC 305 is scheduled for Saturday at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia and promises to bring with it a sensational night of action with the main event being a flyweight fight which we are all eagerly waiting for between Kai Kara France and Steve Erceg. Fans and gamblers alike are excited about the Don’t Blink vs Astro Boy fight. Both fighters have suffered defeats in their last fights thus this is a must win match if their careers should move forward. In this post, we will analyze the contest, providing UFC free picks and predictions that will help you navigate through the betting market.
Kara-France vs. Erceg 8/17/24
| When: | Saturday, August 17, 2024 | Time: 10:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | UFC Fight Pass |
The current betting odds favor Steve Erceg as the favorite with -182, while Kai Kara-France stands as the underdog at +157. These odds reflect Erceg’s perceived edge in the matchup, likely due to his recent performances and statistical advantages in certain areas.
Kara-France vs. Erceg Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kai Kara-France | +157 | Steve Erceg | -182 |
Main Card
Kai Kara-France
Kai “Don’t Blink” Kara-France is a veteran of the sport and boasts a professional record of 24-11-1. He’s noted for his explosiveness, hitting an average of 4.57 significant strikes per minute with 39% accuracy while standing at 5’4” tall and having a reach of 69″. Kara-France compensates this deficiency in height by being more experienced and precise than Erceg. His striking defense is solid, absorbing only 3.24 strikes per minute, with a 65% defense rate. However, his grappling game has been somewhat limited, averaging only 0.63 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 33% accuracy level. On the other hand, he has an impressive takedown defense percentage that stands at 88%, making it extremely difficult for the opponents to take him down.
Kara-France, however, it was not so good news as he lost to Albazi in his last bout. Despite this shortcoming; he still remains dangerous on his feet where he can stand and finish fights off. His strategy for beating Erceg should be to keep fighting up and use stand-up striking techniques whenever possible. In order to succeed against Erceg though, the New Zealander will have to fight at a high pace that doesn’t allow the Croatian dictating where it takes place.
Steve Erceg
Steve “Astroboy” Erceg steps into the cage with a 12-2 record. Nonetheless, his statistics show that he is a more accurate puncher despite having fewer fights. He lands 4.52 significant strikes per minute with better accuracy at 49%. However, this high absorption rate of 4.20 per minute and lower defense rate of 52% show that he may be susceptible to counter-strikes from fast fighters like Kara-France.
In grappling, Erceg has shown a more proactive style as evidenced by an average of 1.24 takedowns every fifteen minutes and a submission per fight average of 0.5, which demonstrates his willingness to go to the ground in a match up. This could be important if he wants to capitalize on Kara-France’s lower emphasis on offensive grappling. In addition, his most recent defeat against Pantoja exposed some holes in his game against top-tier oppositions hence revealing areas for development in terms of both striking defense and fight IQ .
Kara-France vs. Erceg Betting Numbers
| Record | 24-11-0 (1 NC) | 12-2-0 |
| Last Fight | Loss | Loss |
| Country | New Zealand | Australia |
| Height | 5′ 4″ | 5′ 8″ |
| Weight (lbs) | 125 | 125 |
| Reach (in) | 69″ | 68″ |
| Win by KO/TKO | 46% | 17% |
| Win by Submission | 13% | 50% |
| Decisions | 42% | 33% |
| Strikes landed per minute | 4.57 | 4.52 |
| Striking accuracy | 39% | 49% |
| Striking absorbed per minute | 3.24 | 4.20 |
| Striking defense | 65% | 52% |
| Takedown average | 0.63 | 1.24 |
| Takedown accuracy | 33% | 26% |
| Takedown defense | 88% | 60% |
| Submission average | 0.0 | 0.5 |
Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg Summary
A really interesting match of styles is on display in Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg. Stand-up trades may favor Kara-France who has a wealth of experience and striking ability, while Erceg, with his grappling and slightly more accurate striking, might pose a grave danger especially if he can dictate the rhythm and locale of the contest.
Given both fighters’ strengths and weaknesses, this fight could very well be decided by either Erceg’s success executing takedowns and controlling the ground game or France’s ability to keep it standing and use his fast hands to land punches. Even though Erceg holds an edge in odds, it could probably swing in favor of his adversary due to the latter’s maturity level when given a chance.
Those looking to gamble can consider that Kai Kara-France is an underdog which may offer good value if the battle predominantly remains one of striking. Like always therefore make sure you bet only after finding out enough about sportsbook online sites so as to have an amazing experience while betting.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: August 16, 2024
Last updated: August 16, 2024