Kai Kara-France
Don't Blink
New Zealand
No-shows title fight
Kara-France came up short in his quest for the UFC Flyweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Alexandre Pantoja via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:55 of Round 3 at UFC 317 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France had lost back-to-back fights against Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi before parlaying a knockout win over Steve Erceg last August into a title shot here. KKF got his opportunity and looked awful. He was predictably overwhelmed by the grappling of Pantoja, but Kara-France, whose only chance of winning was likely via knockout, was equally ineffective on the feet. He gave up three takedowns and 7:20 of control time in a fight which lasted a shade under 12 minutes. Looking back on it, it's fair to question why the UFC put Kara-France in this position -- he's now lost three of his last four fights -- but it's not as if the company really had any better options. It's highly unlikely the 32-year-old Kiwi ever fights for a title again under the UFC banner.
Kara-France had lost back-to-back fights against Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi before parlaying a knockout win over Steve Erceg last August into a title shot here. KKF got his opportunity and looked awful. He was predictably overwhelmed by the grappling of Pantoja, but Kara-France, whose only chance of winning was likely via knockout, was equally ineffective on the feet. He gave up three takedowns and 7:20 of control time in a fight which lasted a shade under 12 minutes. Looking back on it, it's fair to question why the UFC put Kara-France in this position -- he's now lost three of his last four fights -- but it's not as if the company really had any better options. It's highly unlikely the 32-year-old Kiwi ever fights for a title again under the UFC banner.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Will challenge for flyweight title
Kara-France will challenge Alexander Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight title at UFC 317 on June 28, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kara-France defeated Steve Erceg via a first-round knockout at UFC 305 on Aug. 17, 2024, in what can only be described as the biggest win of his career. The flyweight division isn't as deep as others in the sport, so Kara-France has earned a legit shot at a belt in this fight, but he'll be taking an opponent like Pantoja that has won seven fights in a row.
Kara-France defeated Steve Erceg via a first-round knockout at UFC 305 on Aug. 17, 2024, in what can only be described as the biggest win of his career. The flyweight division isn't as deep as others in the sport, so Kara-France has earned a legit shot at a belt in this fight, but he'll be taking an opponent like Pantoja that has won seven fights in a row.
Huge upset win in co-main event
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.
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.
Getting next fight
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.