UFC Abu Dhabi: Ramazan Temirov runs through Steve Erceg with face-plant knockout

Ramazan Temirov announced his return from suspension in devastating fashion at UFC Abu Dhabi, dismantling former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg with a vicious knockout in the co-main event on Saturday.

Temirov (20-3), known for his explosive starts, wasted no time executing his game plan. The smaller fighter rushed forward with clear intent, but Erceg initially mounted a solid defense. As the opening round progressed, however, Temirov began to land more consistently, and Erceg struggled to generate meaningful offense. The end came when Temirov landed a powerful right hand followed by two more punches that sent Erceg face-down to the canvas. Referee Mike Beltran stopped the bout at 4:21 of Round 1.

With the victory, Temirov improved to 3-0 inside the UFC, adding his second first-round finish to his record. The 29-year-old had not competed in over a year due to serving a suspension stemming from a positive drug test in 2025. His dominant return, which followed previous UFC wins over Charles Johnson and CJ Vergara, announced that the dangerous striker remains a force in the flyweight division.