PERTH, Australia – Kai Kara-France wants his crack at UFC gold.
Following a successful return to the octagon, Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC) is hoping his next fight to be against UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pamntoja. He thinks Saturday’s stoppage win over Steve Erceg (12-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at UFC 305 proved he’s deserving of a title shot and a real threat to Pantoja.
“If you break down this fight, I just beat the guy everyone thought should’ve been the champion,” Kara-France told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 305 post-fight news conference. “I just beat him in the first round (after) taking time away from the sport, coming back and making a statement with my actions. I heard the UFC wants to bring in this guy from Japan called Kai, but I’m the real Kai.
“This is my home. You can’t just come in and think you can bang with the big dogs. You think you’re good, but it doesn’t work like that. You have to earn it. I’ve been in the company for a while and I’ve fought everyone in this flyweight division, and I’ve told time and time again I’m going to let my actions be my loudest voice. I’m making noise now. Alexandre Pantoja – I know he doesn’t have a fight booked, but I might’ve just leap-frogged into a title shot – that’s how I see it.”
Pantoja has yet to be booked for his next title defense. He most recently competed in May, defeating Erceg at UFC 303 for his second title defense. There have been rumors that UFC newcomer Kai Asakura will get the next shot at Pantoja.
Kara-France thinks December is a good timeframe for his return. Although the two have yet to fight in a professional setting, they do have history. Kara-France and Pantoja fought in an exhibition bout in 2016 on “The Ultimate Fighter.}
“If they want me to fight for the title, I’ll happily wait till December,” Kara-France said. “I want to fight before the end of the year if that aligns and they want to make that happen. You know, me and Pantoja have history. We shared the octagon on Season 24 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ It was only a two-round fight, so couldn’t really showcase all our skills, cutting weight week-in, week-out on that show. I know him. He’s done really well in the UFC and being a champion now, nothing but props. He’s a dog and I love this fight still. I feel like I can be the one to take him out.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.
