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Sport Nation
Kara-France nears flyweight world title challenge against Pantoja at UFC 314
Sport Nation • February 14th, 2025 11:37 am
Photo: Photosport
New Zealand's Kai Kara-France has reportedly secured the title shot he's long been chasing.
According to multiple media outlets, 'Don't Blink' has been booked as the next challenger to reigning flyweight world champion Alexandre Pantoja.
The two will square off in the co-main event of UFC 314 in Miami on April 13 (NZ time).
Australian Alexander Volkanovski is rumoured to be the headline act in a featherweight world title rematch against champion Ilia Topuria.
Kara-France is fresh off a show-stealing first-round knockout of Steve Erceg in Perth in August last year.
City Kickboxing coach Mike Angove spoke with Sport Nation's Fight Club podcast this week about what's next for the Auckland fighter.
"That's a fight we want, that's a fight we're preparing for," Angove said.
"After that great victory that he had in Australia, he's really earned that shot. At this stage, he's the guy in that division who has the ability to change a fight with a single punch. And we've seen it over and over again.
"Perhaps he's not the most technical, perhaps he doesn't have the best jiu jitsu, but he can blow your lights out with a single shot.
"He's exciting, he's powerful, and Kai is a guy who's always well prepared. And of course, he's Māori, bro."
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Pantoja is currently riding a seven-fight win streak, most recently finishing Japanese newcomer Kai Aasakura with a second-round submission in December.
Pantoja and Kara-France met previously as part of The Ultimate Fighter reality show in 2016, when the Brazilian prevailed via unanimous decision in a two-round unofficial contest.
City Kickboxing's Kara-France has been a staple of the flyweight division since its inception but is yet to compete for a fully fledged world title.
He was beaten by Brandon Moreno with the interim flyweight world title on the line back in 2022.
Listen to the full interview with Mike Angove in this week's edition of the Fight Club podcast:
