# Kai Kara-France

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

## Background

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

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

### 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. He won his first fight with a 30-second KO win over Terrence Mitchell. His second and final fight in this tournament was in the quarterfinals, where he lost by decision to Alexandre Pantoja.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kara-France was signed by the UFC in July 2018 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, and he was replaced by Elias Garcia. After both fighters getting knocked down, Kara-France won the fight via unanimous decision. Both fighters were awarded US$50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses.
Two months later, Kara-France faced Raulian Paiva on 10 February 2019, at UFC 234. He won the fight via split decision.
Kara-France faced Mark De La Rosa on 31 August 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Kara-France was briefly linked to a bout against Sergio Pettis on 14 December 2019, at UFC 245. 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. Kara-France instead faced Brandon Moreno. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Kara-France faced Tyson Nam on 23 February 2020, at UFC Fight Night 168. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Kara-France was expected to face Alex Perez on 16 May 2020. 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.
Kara-France faced Brandon Royval on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253. After both fighters were knocked down in the first round, Kara-France lost the fight via submission in the second round. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Kara-France faced Rogério Bontorin on 6 March 2021, at UFC 259. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Kara-France next faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt on 11 December 2021, at UFC 269. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also earned Kara-France his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.
Kara-France faced Askar Askarov on 26 March 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33. He spoiled Askarov's undefeated record, handing him his first loss via unanimous decision.
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. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. The bout earned him his fourth Fight of the Night award.
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.
Kara-France faced Amir Albazi on 3 June 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. He lost the fight via a highly controversial split decision. 19 out of 21 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Kara-France.
Kara-France was scheduled to face Manel Kape on 10 September 2023, at UFC 293. However Kara-France pulled out of the fight in late August after suffering a concussion during training, and was replaced by Felipe dos Santos.
Kara-France faced Steve Erceg on 18 August 2024, at UFC 305. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Kara-France was reportedly scheduled to face Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight Championship on 12 April 2025, at UFC 314. However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to 7 June 2025 at UFC 316.

## Personal life

Kara-France and his wife Chardae have a son.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Ultimate Fighting Championships
** Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Elias Garcia, Brandon Moreno 2 and Brandon Royval
** Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Rogério Bontorin, Cody Garbrandt and Steve Erceg
*** Tied (Alexandre Pantoja) for third most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC Flyweight division history (6)
** Second most knockdowns landed in UFC Flyweight division history (8)
** Third highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Flyweight division history (88.0%)
** UFC.com Awards
*** 2022: Ranked #4 Upset of the Year vs. Askar Askarov

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 37 matches | 25 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 3 |
| By submission | 3 | 3 |
| By decision | 10 | 5 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 25–11 (1) | Steve Erceg | TKO (punches) | UFC 305 | 18 August 2024 | 1 | 4:04 | Perth, Australia | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 24–11 (1) | Amir Albazi | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi | 3 June 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 24–10 (1) | Brandon Moreno | TKO (body kick and punches) | UFC 277 | 30 July 2022 | 3 | 4:34 | Dallas, Texas, United States | For the interim UFC Flyweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 24–9 (1) | Askar Askarov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus | 26 March 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 23–9 (1) | Cody Garbrandt | TKO (punches) | UFC 269 | 11 December 2021 | 1 | 3:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 22–9 (1) | Rogério Bontorin | KO (punches) | UFC 259 | 6 March 2021 | 1 | 4:55 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–9 (1) | Brandon Royval | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 253 | 27 September 2020 | 2 | 0:48 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 21–8 (1) | Tyson Nam | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker | 23 February 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Loss | 20–8 (1) | Brandon Moreno | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 245 | 14 December 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 20–7 (1) | Mark De La Rosa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang | 31 August 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Shenzhen, China | |
| Win | 19–7 (1) | Raulian Paiva | Decision (split) | UFC 234 | 10 February 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 18–7 (1) | Elias Garcia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa | 2 December 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Adelaide, Australia | Return to Flyweight. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 17–7 (1) | Shi Xiaoyu | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Glory of Heroes: New Zealand vs. China | 4 March 2018 | 1 | N/A | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Win | 16–7 (1) | Huoyixibai Chuhayifu | Decision (unanimous) | WLF W.A.R.S. 19 | 11 November 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Zhengzhou, China | |
| Win | 15–7 (1) | Aori Qileng | Decision (unanimous) | WLF W.A.R.S. 14 | 20 May 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Zhengzhou, China | Catchweight (129 lb) bout. |
| Win | 14–7 (1) | Wu Ze | TKO (punches) | WLF W.A.R.S. 13 | 22 April 2017 | 1 | 2:01 | Zhengzhou, China | |
| Win | 13–7 (1) | Rodolfo Marques | KO (punch) | Hex Fight Series 8 | 31 March 2017 | 3 | 2:59 | Melbourne, Australia | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 12–7 (1) | Tatsumitsu Wada | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round | 29 December 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 12–6 (1) | Crisanto Pitpitunge | TKO (cartwheel kick and punches) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 52 | 18 March 2016 | 3 | N/A | Mangilao, Guam | |
| Win | 11–6 (1) | Josh Duenas | TKO (punches) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 50 | 4 December 2015 | 1 | 0:22 | Mangilao, Guam | |
| Win | 10–6 (1) | Shantaram Maharaj | TKO (punches) | Bragging Rights 7: Resurrection | 27 September 2015 | 1 | 1:33 | Perth, Australia | Won the KOZ Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–6 (1) | Dindo Camansa | KO (punches) | Malaysian Invasion: Mixed Martial A'rr | 1 June 2015 | 1 | 0:12 | Andaman Sea, Thailand | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 8–6 (1) | Jang Ik-hwan | TKO (punches) | PRO Fighting 10 | 9 May 2015 | 1 | 0:08 | Taipei, Taiwan | |
| Loss | 7–6 (1) | Ayideng Jumayi | Decision (unanimous) | Kunlun Fight 18 | 18 January 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Nanjing, China | |
| Loss | 7–5 (1) | Mark Striegl | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Malaysian Invasion 2: Grand Finals | 25 October 2014 | 1 | 2:10 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Loss | 7–4 (1) | Gustavo Falciroli | Submission (brabo choke) | Australian FC 9 | 17 May 2014 | 1 | 4:55 | Melbourne, Australia | For the AFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–3 (1) | Wu Tieyin | Decision (unanimous) | Kunlun Fight 1 | 25 January 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Pattaya, Thailand | |
| NC | 6–3 (1) | Gustavo Falciroli | No Contest (Kara-France fell out of the ring) | Australian FC 7 | 14 December 2013 | 2 | 3:20 | Melbourne, Australia | Kara-France fell through the ropes of the ring and was unable to continue |
| Win | 6–3 | Wu Tieyin | Submission (guillotine choke) | World Team USA: Fight for Peace | 23 October 2013 | 1 | 1:54 | Manila, Philippines | |
| Win | 5–3 | Yudi Cahyadi | Decision (unanimous) | Bandung Fighting Club | 29 September 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Bandung, Indonesia | |
| Win | 4–3 | Kim Ho-joon | KO (head kick) | PRO Fighting 8 | 4 August 2013 | 1 | 3:44 | Taipei, Taiwan | |
| Loss | 3–3 | Danaa Batgerel | Decision (unanimous) | Legend FC 11 | 27 April 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Win | 3–2 | Caleb Lally | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage: MMA Fighting Championship | 13 October 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tauranga, New Zealand | |
| Win | 2–2 | Sam Chan | Submission (guillotine choke) | Legend FC 10 | 24 August 2012 | 1 | 3:21 | Hong Kong, SAR, China | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Agustin Delarmino | KO (punches) | Legend FC 8 | 30 March 2012 | 3 | 0:29 | Hong Kong, SAR, China | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Chad George | KO (punch) | The Cage 2: USA vs. New Zealand | 2 December 2011 | 1 | 2:04 | Whakatāne, New Zealand | |
| Win | 1–0 | Ray Kaitiana | TKO (punches) | Supremacy Cage Fighting 7 | 27 November 2010 | 1 | N/A | Auckland, New Zealand | Bantamweight debut. |

### Mixed martial arts exhibition record

| Exhibition record breakdown | Exhibition record breakdown | |
| 2 matches | 1 win | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 1–1 | Alexandre Pantoja | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions | 2 November 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | TUF 24 Quarter-final round |
| Win | 1–0 | Terrence Mitchell | KO (punch) | The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions | 31 August 2016 | 1 | 0:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 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