Butterflies free to fly in eyes of Kiwi flyweight
Anzacs v the world: Perez bout in Perth the first step in Kara-France putting himself back in the title picture
Kai Kara-France is ready to feel the butterflies again. For the past two years, the Kiwi UFC flyweight has travelled the globe as he clawed his way to the top echelon of the division.
Now, after five fights on the road, the 29-year-old will again experience a home crowd.
The Herald can confirm KaraFrance will square off against Alex Perez at UFC 284 in Perth on February 12, adding another high-level bout to what is quickly becoming a loaded card.
“It’s nice to have something booked closer to home,” Kara-France said. “I’ve been really missing fighting in front of friends and family.
“I know Australia isn’t New Zealand but a lot of friends and family will fly over for this one.
“I miss that walkout; I miss the butterflies you get when you get to show everyone what we’ve been doing.”
Kara-France is one of three fighters affiliated with Auckland’s City Kickboxing gym confirmed for the card, alongside light heavyweight Tyson Pedro, with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski looking to add to his collection when he challenges for the lightweight title in the main event.
For Kara-France, it will be a return to the origins of his UFC career. Of his first five bouts with the promotion, three were Downunder — the last at UFC Auckland in February 2020.
The New Zealand and Australian presence in the promotion has since grown stronger, and he said being part of the rise of mixed martial arts Downunder was special.
“I know a few years ago, it would have been hard to put a card together that is purely fighters from this region, and now we’re putting together a stacked pay-per-view card that is all Anzacs v the world.
“It’s cool, and I’m pretty honoured to be a part of this movement and a part of this wave.”
The bout against Perez (24-7), previously booked for mid-June 2020 but cancelled due to Covid-19 and not immediately rebooked, will see Kara-France (24-10) return to action after falling short in his bid to claim UFC gold last time out.
The Kiwi performed strongly in his interim title fight against Brandon Moreno until one well-placed kick saw the bout quickly unravel for him late in the third round.
Kara-France said he could take plenty from the experience but it was hard not to be a little frustrated with how it played out.
“If I had been stopped in the first, I’d be more content with it. But for my fight, it’s tough because I was winning. In the first and second, I was gaining momentum, then the third round was my best, but I got unlucky and caught with a kick that landed right on the target, right on the liver, and shut me down.
“It’s experience. That’s what I’ve taken away from it: my first title fight, my first UFC co-main event and first five-rounder. I can take that as a positive. I am ready for these world titles, I am right there with the best guys in the world, and I can beat them.”
Fellow former title challenger Perez, ranked No 5 in the division, is the first step in Kara-France putting himself back in the title picture, and a booking that will excite the fans, as both fighters like to press the action.
“I know this is a great match-up for me. He’s a guy who will come to fight and I like those styles of fights. The main thing about this division is you just have to keep winning.
“Before you know it, you’ll be back in title contention. Even though I’ve just come off an interim world title fight, I’m only one fight away from putting myself in that same position.”