Auckland’s Eden Park casts a long shadow over New Zealand’s sporting landscape, but this weekend, another Kiwi warrior could etch his name into history. Flyweight contender Kai Kara-France faces Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 317, aiming to become New Zealand’s first homegrown UFC champion and the first of Māori heritage to claim gold.
The Long Road to Vegas
Kara-France’s journey reads like an MMA odyssey:
- Cruise Ship Debut: Fought atop a stationary vessel in Thailand while Filipino kitchen staff cheered his opponent (“Like fighting Manny Pacquiao’s cousins”)
- Global Grind: From Auckland gyms to Tiger Muay Thai scholarships, compiling a five-fight streak to earn his UFC shot
- TUF Heartbreak: Lost to Pantoja on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 nine years ago – a fight not on his official record
“Nothing’s been handed to me,” Kara-France tells ESPN beside Eden Park’s looming silhouette. “I’ve had to pick myself up after every setback.”
The City Kickboxing Crucible
Under coach Eugene Bareman at Auckland’s famed City Kickboxing, the once-shy fighter transformed:
- 2022 Interim Title Loss: Learned from defeat against Brandon Moreno
- Concussion Battle: Overcame 14-month layoff before KO’ing Steve Erceg in 2023
- Maori Pride: Now studies Te Reo Māori, performs haka with his team, and fights for his sons’ cultural legacy
Bareman notes: “After every loss, he comes back sharper. That’s why he’s here again.”
The Pantoja Puzzle
The Brazilian champion presents a unique challenge:
- 2015 Meeting: Pantoja won a close decision on TUF
- Champion’s Resolve: Unbeaten in last five fights, known for relentless pressure
- Kara-France’s Key: “I neutralized his ground game last time. Now I’ll be the first to knock him out.”
History Awaits
With teammate Israel Adesanya watching, Kara-France could join him as New Zealand’s second UFC champion – but the first born on Kiwi soil. “Fifteen years I’ve written this goal down,” he says. “No hesitation now.”