Kai Kara-France

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Kai Kara-France
BornJames Kaiwhare Kara-France [1]
(1993-03-26) 26 March 1993 (age 31)
Auckland, New Zealand
NicknameDon't Blink
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
Division Flyweight
Bantamweight
Reach69 in (175 cm) [2]
Fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand
TeamTiger Muay Thai (2012–2016) [3]
City Kickboxing (2016–present) [4]
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [5]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total36
Wins24
By knockout11
By submission3
By decision10
Losses11
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision5
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

James Kaiwhare Kara-France [1] (born 26 March 1993) is a New Zealand professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 5 December 2023, he is #4 in the UFC flyweight rankings. [6]

Contents

Background

Kara-France started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 10 but stopped after two years. [3] After being bullied for his small stature in high school, Mount Albert Grammar School, he started training mixed martial arts as a whole. [3] Kara-France attended Unitec Institute of Technology for a spell, but dropped out. [3] He is partly of Maori ancestry, with connections to Waikato, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu and Tuhoe. [7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In November 2010, Kara-France began his professional MMA career in his home city of Auckland, with a first-round TKO win over Ray Kaitiana. [8]

Kara-France decided to drop out of the university after seeing a Facebook post promoting Tiger Muay Thai gym scholarship. [3] He applied to the gym and was awarded the scholarship after try-outs. [3] He moved to Phuket, Thailand, in 2013 where he trained and built his mixed martial arts record by fighting around Asia and The Pacific. [3]

The Ultimate Fighter

In 2016, Kara-France competed in The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions - the 24th edition of the UFC-produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter . [9] He won his first fight with a 30-second KO win over Terrence Mitchell. [10] His second and final fight in this tournament was in the quarterfinals, where he lost by decision to Alexandre Pantoja. [11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kara-France was signed by the UFC in July 2018 [12] and he made his UFC debut on 1 December 2018, at UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa against Ashkan Mokhtarian. However, on 21 November 2018, Mokhtarian was pulled from the fight, citing an injury, [13] and he was replaced by Elias Garcia. [14] After both fighters getting knocked down, Kara-France won the fight via unanimous decision. [15] Both fighters were awarded US$50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses. [16]

Two months later, Kara-France faced Raulian Paiva on 10 February 2019, at UFC 234. [17] He won the fight via split decision. [18]

Kara-France faced Mark De La Rosa on 31 August 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang. [19] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [20]

Kara-France was briefly linked to a bout against Sergio Pettis on 14 December 2019, at UFC 245. [21] However, in early October, Pettis revealed that he was entertaining offers from other promotions after the completion of his previous contract and did not currently have a fight lined up with the promotion. [22] Kara-France instead faced Brandon Moreno. [23] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [24]

Kara-France faced Tyson Nam on 23 February 2020, at UFC Fight Night 168. [25] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [26]

Kara-France was expected to face Alex Perez on 16 May 2020. [27] However, on 9 April, Dana White, the president of UFC, announced that the event had been postponed to a future date due to COVID-19 pandemic. [28]

Kara-France faced Brandon Royval on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253. [29] After both fighters were knocked down in the first round, Kara-France lost the fight via submission in the second round. [30] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [31]

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Kara-France faced Rogério Bontorin on 6 March 2021, at UFC 259. [32] [33] He won the fight via knockout in round one. [34] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award. [35]

Kara-France next faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt on 11 December 2021, at UFC 269. [36] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. [37] The win also earned Kara-France his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award. [38]

Kara-France faced Askar Askarov on 26 March 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33. [39] He spoiled Askarov's undefeated record, handing him his first loss via unanimous decision. [40]

Kara-France faced former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in a rematch on 30 July 2022, with the interim UFC Flyweight Championship on the line, at UFC 277. [41] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. [42] The bout earned him his fourth Fight of the Night award. [43]

Kara-France was scheduled to face Alex Perez on 12 February 2023, at UFC 284. However, Kara-France was pull from of the fight, citing a knee injury. [44]

Kara-France faced Amir Albazi on 3 June 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. [45] He lost the fight via a highly controversial split decision. 19 out of 21 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Kara-France. [46]

Kara-France was scheduled to face Manel Kape on 10 September 2023, at UFC 293. [47] However Kara-France pulled out of the fight in late August after suffering a concussion during training, and was replaced by Felipe dos Santos. [48]

Personal life

Kai and his wife Chardae have a son. [49]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
36 matches24 wins11 losses
By knockout113
By submission33
By decision105
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss24–11 (1) Amir Albazi Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi 3 June 202355:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss24–10 (1) Brandon Moreno TKO (body kick and punches) UFC 277 30 July 202234:34 Dallas, Texas, United StatesFor the interim UFC Flyweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win24–9 (1) Askar Askarov Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus 26 March 202235:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win23–9 (1) Cody Garbrandt TKO (punches) UFC 269 11 December 202113:21 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win22–9 (1) Rogério Bontorin KO (punches) UFC 259 6 March 202114:55 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Loss21–9 (1) Brandon Royval Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 253 27 September 202020:48 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesFight of the Night.
Win21–8 (1) Tyson Nam Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker 23 February 202035:00 Auckland, New Zealand
Loss20–8 (1) Brandon Moreno Decision (unanimous) UFC 245 14 December 201935:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win20–7 (1) Mark De La Rosa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang 31 August 201935:00 Shenzhen, China
Win19–7 (1) Raulian Paiva Decision (split) UFC 234 10 February 201935:00 Melbourne, Australia
Win18–7 (1)Elias GarciaDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa 2 December 201835:00 Adelaide, AustraliaReturn to Flyweight. Fight of the Night.
Win17–7 (1)Shi XiaoyuSubmission (rear-naked choke) Glory of Heroes: New Zealand vs. China 4 March 20181N/A Auckland, New Zealand
Win16–7 (1)Huoyixibai ChuhayifuDecision (unanimous)WLF W.A.R.S. 1911 November 201735:00 Zhengzhou, China
Win15–7 (1) Aori Qileng Decision (unanimous)WLF W.A.R.S. 1420 May 201735:00 Zhengzhou, ChinaCatchweight (129 lb) bout.
Win14–7 (1)Wu ZeTKO (punches)WLF W.A.R.S. 1322 April 201712:01 Zhengzhou, China
Win13–7 (1)Rodolfo MarquesKO (punch)Hex Fight Series 831 March 201732:59 Melbourne, AustraliaReturn to Bantamweight.
Loss12–7 (1)Tatsumitsu WadaDecision (unanimous) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round 29 December 201635:00 Saitama, Japan
Win12–6 (1)Crisanto PitpitungeTKO (cartwheel kick and punches)Pacific Xtreme Combat 5218 March 201630:00 Mangilao, Guam
Win11–6 (1)Josh DuenasTKO (punches)Pacific Xtreme Combat 504 December 201510:22 Mangilao, Guam
Win10–6 (1)Shantaram MaharajTKO (punches)Bragging Rights 727 September 201511:33 Perth, AustraliaWon the KOZ Flyweight Championship.
Win9–6 (1)Dindo CamansaKO (punches)Malaysian Invasion: Mixed Martial A'rr1 June 201510:12 Andaman Sea, ThailandFlyweight debut.
Win8–6 (1)Jang Ik-hwanTKO (punches)PRO Fighting 109 May 201510:08 Taipei, Taiwan
Loss7–6 (1)Ayideng JumayiDecision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight 18 18 January 201535:00 Nanjing, China
Loss7–5 (1)Mark StrieglSubmission (rear-naked choke)Malaysian Invasion 2: Grand Finals25 October 201412:10 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Loss7–4 (1) Gustavo Falciroli Submission (brabo choke) AFC 9 17 May 201414:55 Melbourne, AustraliaFor the AFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win7–3 (1)Wu TieyinDecision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight 1 25 January 201435:00 Pattaya, Thailand
NC6–3 (1) Gustavo Falciroli No Contest AFC 7 14 December 201323:20 Melbourne, AustraliaKara-France fell through the ropes of the ring and was unable to continue [50]
Win6–3Wu TieyinSubmission (guillotine choke)Bandung Fighting Club23 October 201311:54 Manila, Philippines
Win5–3Yudi CahyadiDecision (unanimous)Bandung Fighting Club29 September 201335:00 Bandung, Indonesia
Win4–3Kim Ho-joonKO (head kick)PRO Fighting 84 August 201313:44 Taipei, Taiwan
Loss3–3 Danaa Batgerel Decision (unanimous)Legend Fighting Championship 1127 April 201335:00 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Win3–2Caleb LallyDecision (unanimous)Rage in the Cage: MMA Fighting Championship13 October 201235:00 Tauranga, New Zealand
Win2–2Sam ChanSubmission (guillotine choke)Legend Fighting Championship 1024 August 201213:21 Hong Kong, SAR, China
Loss1–2Agustin DelarminoKO (punches)Legend Fighting Championship 830 March 201230:29 Hong Kong, SAR, China
Loss1–1 Chad George KO (punch)The Cage 2: USA vs. New Zealand2 December 201112:04 Whakatane, New Zealand
Win1–0Ray KaitianaTKO (punches)Supremacy Cage Fighting 727 November 20101N/A Auckland, New ZealandBantamweight debut.

[51]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss1–1 Alexandre Pantoja Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions 2 November 201625:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 24 Quarter-final round
Win1–0Terrence MitchellKO (punch)31 August 201610:30 TUF 24 Round of 16

*Date given is the air date of the episode. The actual dates of the fight are not released by the UFC

See also

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