Kai Kara-France

Don't Blink

New Zealand

Huge upset win in co-main event
FlyweightUFC
August 17, 2024
Kara-France defeated Steve Erceg via KO (punches) at 4:04 of Round 1 at UFC 305 on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It's the biggest win of Kara-France's career by a country mile. Known for his massive power at 125 pounds, KKF unleashed a vicious left hook that immediately floored the previously ultra-durable Erceg. He dropped him again a few seconds later, which resulted in referee Rich Mitchell stepping in. The end result was a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for KKF. Kara-France hits very hard, but his grappling game is lacking and he struggles if his power shots aren't landing. That said, already 31 years of age and fresh off back-to-back defeats to Amir Albazi and Brandon Moreno, few could have seen this result coming. KKF is suddenly right back in the title conversation in a thin flyweight division.
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Getting next fight
FlyweightUFC
June 30, 2024
Kara-France will fight Steve Erceg at UFC 305 on August 17, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The New Zealander hasn't been in the octagon for over a year, but he will make his 2024 debut and search for his first win since 2022 against Erceg. Kara-France has a lot to prove with such a long hiatus, but his experience and wingspan both give him the upperhand over Erceg, who is coming off a hard fought defeat to Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision.
Withdraws from Kape fight
FlyweightUFC
August 21, 2023
Kara-France withdrew Monday for his scheduled flyweight fight with Manel Kape at UFC 293 on Sept. 9 in Sydney after suffering a concussion while training, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Due to the timing of his concussion, Kara-France appears unlikely to fight again before 2023 comes to a close. The UFC has yet to announce a replacement for Kara-France on the Sept. 9 card.
Looking to bounce back in Australia
FlyweightUFC
June 20, 2023
Kara-France is being targeted for a flyweight fight against Manel Kape at UFC 293 in Sydney on Sept. 9, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France is currently in the midst of his first two-fight losing streak since breaking in with the UFC in 2018, though there's no question his recent loss to Amir Albazi had some questionable judging. Kape, on the other hand, is riding a three-fight winning streak and looking to break into the title picture by getting a big name on his resume. The two have eerily similar numbers in both striking volume and offensive wrestling, though the defensive marks lean to the side of KKF. The two are essentially the same age, as well as within an inch of each other in both height and reach measurements.
Gets no help from judges in loss
FlyweightUFC
June 3, 2023
Kara-France lost to Amir Albazi via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 47-48) at UFC on ESPN 46 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France and his team are going to be furious following this one, and they have a legitimate gripe. The most lopsided frame was the third, and that was clearly in favor of Albazi, but there's a case to be made KKF won the other four rounds. He was the much fresher fighter in the championship rounds, consistently applying pressure to Albazi and stringing together combinations, while Amir was almost always one-and-done. The Vegas oddsmakers clearly thought KKF was on his way to the win, as with just a couple minutes remaining, he was upwards of a -400 favorite. Unfortunately, this is the risk you run when you let a fight go to the scorecards. The UFC's flyweight division lacks depth, particularly up top, but a two-fight losing streak means Kara-France has a long road to climb in order to get back in the title picture. It's a really bad break for a solid fighter.
Added to June 3 card
FlyweightUFC
March 13, 2023
Kara-France (undisclosed) will take on Amir Albazi at the UFC event on June 3, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France was supposed to fight back on Feb. 11 against Alex Perez, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. He will be back in the Octagon in June and seek his eighth victory with the UFC.