“It’s Kai time.”
That’s the message from New Zealand UFC fighter Kai Kara-France ahead of his highly anticipated showdown with reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja on Sunday.
“Just being in Las Vegas, seeing my poster everywhere, I’m so far away from home — but it just lets me know the world’s never too big," he told Breakfast this morning.
“My opponent is tough, he’s durable, he’s the world champ, he’s done a lot of great things.
“But it’s never about my opponent, it’s me against myself.”
The 32-year-old Kiwi faces off against the Brazilian with the support of not just the New Zealand fighting community in this corner, but the Warriors rugby league side.
Kara-France has been part of Andrew Webster’s coaching set-up for the past few years.
“I’m not just a wrestling coach, but it’s more of a leadership role, just mentoring and supporting the boys.
“I’m very privileged and honoured to be part of the team because I grew up watching them as a big fan.”
It’s also somewhat of a full-circle moment for Kara-France, who grew up aspiring to be like legend Stacey Jones.
“I’ve always been the shortest, and he’s the little general.
“You just gravitate towards players that look like you. He’s from the same place in the Far North as my wife.”
The fight takes place at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday afternoon (NZ time).
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