Kai Kara-France knows what it’s like to be counted.
This Saturday night, “Don’t Blink” attempts to win the biggest victory of his mixed martial arts career when he flips the script and challenges Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight World Championship. When the promotion sets a cap on the annual International Fight Week Festival in Las Vegas, it all goes down at UFC 317.
As it stands, Pantoja is a favorite of -240 to leave “Sin City” with a 125 pound crown unharmed.
Being the underdog is nothing new to Kara France, but with the whole of New Zealand standing behind him, “Don’t Blink” is ready to take the flyweight throne with force and kickstart an entirely new era of octagons.
“I’ve always been counted, but I’ve always been a loser,” Cala France told MMA Fighting. “People have overlooked my life to me. I’m still fighting here and still winning world titles. This battle is bigger than me because of what I bring to this. I’m not only a fighter, but I’m bringing my whole country behind me and bringing it to the world stage.
“That’s what fuels me. I’m hungry, focused and ready to get this done.”
Kai Kara-France and Alexandre Pantoja will get it back in almost ten years
After seeing some struggles in the octagon between Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi, Kara France bounced back in August with a big first-round knockout with one-off title challenger Steve Elseg. Overall, the Kiwi is 8-4 under the UFC banner. This includes notable victories over Rogerio Bontlin, Cody Garbrandt and Askal Askarov.
He is 3-2 in the final five, and Pantoja will ride his fourth flyweight title defense with a seven-win streak dating back to early 2021.
Their clash at UFC 317 serves as a nine-year rematch removed from their first meeting at Ultimate Fighter 24 in 2016. Pantoja won the quarterfinal match through decisions before being eliminated in the semi-finals.