Kai Kara-France • Stats, Record and Fight History

BIO

FIGHTS

STATS

UFC HISTORY & CAREER

• UFC 317(06/28/25) Kara-France was submitted by Alexandre Pantoja via rear-naked choke at 1:55 of the third round in a fight for the UFC flyweight title
• UFC 305(8/17/24) Kara-France stopped Steve Erceg via strikes at 4:04 of the first round
• UFC on ESPN(6/3/23) Kara-France lost a five-round split decision to Amir Albazi
• 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

IMPORTANT FACTS

Team Cejudo on TUF 24

Has won 13 of his last 18 and four of his last seven

13-5 record since TUF 24

12 wins by KO, three by submission (2 guillotine, RNC)

13 first-round finishes

Q & A

Q: When and why did you start training for fighting?

ANSWER: 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 City Kickboxing until this day.

Q: What ranks and titles have you held?

ANSWER: Junior New Zealand Kickboxing Title, ‘Bragging Rights’ Flyweight Champion (Perth, Australia)

Q: Do you have any heroes?

ANSWER: Eugene Bareman, my head coach at City Kickboxing, the most calming and selfless person I know.

Q: What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?

ANSWER: This is my childhood dream, so it means everything. I’ve worked since the age of 15, all to get to this moment.

Q: Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?

ANSWER: I did two years studying for a Bachelor of Sport degree, but put it on hold for my fight career.

Q: What was your job before you started fighting?

ANSWER: I was working at the Auckland Zoo Cafe.

Q: Specific accomplishments in pro competition?

ANSWER: 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.

Q: Ranks in any martial arts styles:

ANSWER: Blue belt BJJ, New Zealand Wrestling representative

Q: Favorite grappling technique:

ANSWER: Double leg takedown

Q: Favorite Striking technique:

ANSWER: Overhand right

LOSS

Kara-France

Pantoja

SUB Rear Naked Choke

Ana Kart

June 28, 2025