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#4 Flyweight Division

Active

"Don't Blink"

Kai Kara-France

Flyweight Division

24-11-0 (W-L-D)

11

Wins by Knockout

3

Wins by Submission

12

First Round Finishes

Kai Kara-France

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Kai Kara-France's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Active
Place of Birth
Auckland, New Zealand
Trains at
City Kickboxing
Fighting style
Kickboxer
Age
31
Height
64.00
Weight
125.50
Octagon Debut
Dec. 2, 2018
Reach
69.00
Leg reach
37.00
  • Team Cejudo on TUF 24
     
  • Has won 12 of his last 15 and three of his last four
     
  • 12-3 record since TUF 24
     
  • 11 wins by KO, three by submission (2 guillotine, RNC)
     
  • 12 first-round finishes

UFC 277 (7/30/22) Kara-France was stopped by Brandon Moreno via strikes at 4:34 of the third round in a bout for the interim UFC flyweight title

UFC on ESPN (3/26/22) Kara-France won a three round unanimous decision over Askar Askarov

UFC 269 (12/11/21) Kara-France stopped Cody Garbrandt via strikes at 3:21 of the first round

UFC 259 (3/6/21) Kara-France knocked out Rogerio Bontorin at 4:55 of the first round

UFC 253 (9/27/20) Kara-France was submitted by Brandon Royval via guillotine choke at :48 of the second round

UFC Fight Night (2/23/20) Kara-France won a three round unanimous decision over Tyson Nam

UFC 245 (12/14/19) Kara-France lost a three round unanimous decision to Brandon Moreno

UFC Fight Night (8/31/19) Kara-France won a three round unanimous decision over Mark De La Rosa

UFC 234 (2/9/19) Kara-France won a three round split decision over Raulian Paiva

UFC Fight Night (12/1/18) Kara-France won a three-round unanimous decision over Elias Garcia

 

The Ultimate Fighter, Season 24

On episode eight (quarterfinals), Kara-France lost a two-round unanimous decision to Alexandre Pantoja

On episode one, Kara-France knocked out Terrence Mitchell at :30 of the first round

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started jiu-jitsu when I was 10 years old, and moved into MMA at 15. My parents wanted me to be more confident as I used to get bullied a lot at school for my size. Had my first pro fight at 17, moved to Thailand at age 19, winning a scholarship at Tiger Muay Thai. I lived there under scholarship for four years, fighting on the Asian MMA circuit. After that I was picked up for The Ultimate Fighter Season 24. After the show I moved back to Auckland, New Zealand and have been training at Coty Kickboxing until this day.

What ranks and titles have you held? Junior New Zealand Kickboxing Title, ‘Bragging Rights’ Flyweight Champion (Perth, Australia)

Do you have any heroes? Eugene Bareman, my head coach at City Kickboxing, the most calming and selfless person I know.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? This is my childhood dream, so it means everything. I’ve worked since the age of 15, all to get to this moment.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I did two years studying for a Bachelor of Sport degree, but put it on hold for my fight career.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was working at the Auckland Zoo Cafe

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Only KO on TUF season 24, fought in 13 different countries. Number 1 regionally ranked in Australia, New Zealand and China in both Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Blue belt BJJ, New Zealand Wrestling representative.

Favorite grappling technique: Double leg takedown.

Favorite Striking technique: Overhand right.