With New Zealand’s leading UFC flyweight Kai Kara-France heading into the biggest fight of his career, the surging 125-pounder is brimming with confidence. Kara-France is set to take on former champ Brandon Moreno for the interim flyweight title at UFC 277 this weekend, and he told reporters at the UFC 277 media day that he sees world championship in his future.
“Yeah, I saw Figueiredo saying it’s a cardboard belt, a plastic belt, but it’s still a world title, and I have to respect that. This is everything I’ve worked towards to. He’s not here. I’m here squaring off against Brandon, and we get to run it back, so I’m excited.”
Kai Kara-France: “I Truly Believe I’m going to be a world champion”
Kara-France came off second best against Moreno the first time they fought. With the rematch only days away, both fighters have made significant improvements since. Moreno earned himself a title, while Kara-France is riding a three-fight winning streak, including a knockout victory over former champ Cody Garbrandt. Kara-France credits training alongside City Kickboxing teammates and UFC champions Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya with his massive leap in ability.
“I stopped chasing becoming the champion, and I started to believe it. I feel like that’s definitely what you’re seeing. What you’re seeing is a product of the hard work that we’re putting at City Kickboxing.
I train with world champions day in, day out. I know what it takes. I know the mindset that they have. It’s about having high standards. Ticking off all the boxes, and I’ve done that in my last few fights. I’ve taken no shortcuts. I’m ready to go wherever this fight goes.”
As for the rematch, Kara-France promises that this time will be different. His mentality and his skills, he says, have improved, with the Kiwi “leveling up everywhere”. “It’s a fight that I wanted to run it back.
It’s all about timing. The Kai that fought Brandon in 2019 isn’t the same Kai he’s fighting this Saturday. Just completely different. Different headspace being a father and a husband, going through more experiences and just leveling up everywhere. I think the self-belief is the difference. Before, I didn’t really believe it. I truly believe I’m going to be a world champion.”
Kara-France vs Moreno 2 will co-headline UFC 277 this weekend. Brandon Moreno will be looking to capture the interim strap in order to earn himself a fourth fight against the title holder, Deiveson Figueiredo. Kai Kara-France, on the other hand, is taking his first title shot, and may well become City Kickboxing’s third active champion by the time the fight is done.
What’s your prediction for the fight this weekend? Let us know in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhUR7Sjg6Mw
