Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Kai Kara-France
Two top-tier lightweights will square off in Auckland this weekend for an opportunity to break into the title conversation in a murky division. Jon Litterine makes his DFS picks for the card.
Kamaru Usman faces one of the greatest tests of his career when he takes on Colby Covington in one of three title fights at UFC 245 on Saturday. Jon Litterine is back to break down the best DFS plays.
While most were asleep Friday night, the UFC crowned a new strawweight champion. Richard Mann breaks down the company's emergence into the Chinese market by the numbers.
Newly-crowned strawweight champion Jessica Andrade heads into Shenzhen on Saturday morning looking for her first title defense in enemy territory. Jon Litterine breaks down the card's key fights.
The UFC is back on pay-per-view Saturday in Australia, featuring one of the country's own. Jon Litterine breaks down five key fights and makes his pick for the entire card.
More Fantasy News
Picks apart opponent in win
Kara-France defeated Tyson Nam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 20-27) at UFC Fight Night 168 in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France had to deal with a powerful opponent bearing down on him for much of the night but was able to find joy by virtue of being the quicker man and puncher. While he did have to eat a few big shots along the way, Kara-France controlled much of the fight with a crisp, snapping jab and right hand. "Don't Blink" suffered an unexpected setback against Brandon Moreno in his last outing but improves to 4-1 in the UFC as a result of this win and 21-8-0 (1 NC) in professional MMA overall.
Kara-France had to deal with a powerful opponent bearing down on him for much of the night but was able to find joy by virtue of being the quicker man and puncher. While he did have to eat a few big shots along the way, Kara-France controlled much of the fight with a crisp, snapping jab and right hand. "Don't Blink" suffered an unexpected setback against Brandon Moreno in his last outing but improves to 4-1 in the UFC as a result of this win and 21-8-0 (1 NC) in professional MMA overall.
Making quick turnaround
Kara-France will take on Tyson Nam in a flyweight bout at UFC Auckland on Feb. 23, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France's eight-fight win streak came to an end when he lost to Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, and he will make a quick turnaround when he faces Nam in late February. Nam stepped in on short notice for his UFC debut, when he lost to Sergio Pettis via unanimous decision at UFC Mexico City in September, but he will now get to fully prepare as he seeks his first win with the promotion. Kara-France carries excellent power in his hands, but he struggles on his feet and his wins under the UFC banner haven't come against elite competition. Nam carries a slight height advantage into the fight.
Kara-France's eight-fight win streak came to an end when he lost to Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, and he will make a quick turnaround when he faces Nam in late February. Nam stepped in on short notice for his UFC debut, when he lost to Sergio Pettis via unanimous decision at UFC Mexico City in September, but he will now get to fully prepare as he seeks his first win with the promotion. Kara-France carries excellent power in his hands, but he struggles on his feet and his wins under the UFC banner haven't come against elite competition. Nam carries a slight height advantage into the fight.
Drops decision to Brandon Moreno
Kara-France lost to Brandon Moreno (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) at UFC 245 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Fighting in North America for the very first time, Kara-France started quickly before fading. He was facing a very tough opponent, but both KKF's offensive and defensive efficiency deteriorated as the fight progressed. Kara-France has legitimate power in his hands and he's still young (26 years old), but his all-around game is lacking and he doesn't defend himself particularly well on the feet. The fact he has faced poor competition over the course of his nine-year MMA career is also a concern. KKF's potential is obvious, but this remains a work in progress.
Fighting in North America for the very first time, Kara-France started quickly before fading. He was facing a very tough opponent, but both KKF's offensive and defensive efficiency deteriorated as the fight progressed. Kara-France has legitimate power in his hands and he's still young (26 years old), but his all-around game is lacking and he doesn't defend himself particularly well on the feet. The fact he has faced poor competition over the course of his nine-year MMA career is also a concern. KKF's potential is obvious, but this remains a work in progress.
Back on UFC 245 card
Kara-France has a replacement for UFC 245 on Dec. 14, facing Brandon Moreno, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France was originally scheduled to face Sergio Pettis, but Pettis left the promotion and is now a free agent. The New Zeland native, who has been rising up the flyweight rank, will get his chance on the pay-per-view card anyway, looking to extend a three-match winning streak to open his UFC career.
Kara-France was originally scheduled to face Sergio Pettis, but Pettis left the promotion and is now a free agent. The New Zeland native, who has been rising up the flyweight rank, will get his chance on the pay-per-view card anyway, looking to extend a three-match winning streak to open his UFC career.
No longer on UFC 245 card
Kara-France will no longer be facing Sergio Pettis at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France has been rising up the UFC's flyweight ranks, starting his career with three consecutive decision victories, including a Fight of the Night bonus in his debut last December. Pettis would have represented a chance to get a noteworthy name on his resume, but now it's unclear what the next step might be, or if he'll remain on the December card. Kara-France would ideally want to stay on that card, as it's a pay-per-view event set to be headlined by three title fights.
Kara-France has been rising up the UFC's flyweight ranks, starting his career with three consecutive decision victories, including a Fight of the Night bonus in his debut last December. Pettis would have represented a chance to get a noteworthy name on his resume, but now it's unclear what the next step might be, or if he'll remain on the December card. Kara-France would ideally want to stay on that card, as it's a pay-per-view event set to be headlined by three title fights.