The latest Kiwi prospect to pick up a UFC deal can finally start working towards a debut date with flyweight fighter Kai Kara-France set to take part in the UFC Fight Night event in Adelaide in December.
The 25-year-old has been confirmed to face Iranian-born Australian Ashkan Mokhtarian (13-3) on December 2 after his strong performance in the Ultimate Fighter in 2016.
Kara-France told 1 NEWS that he got into combat sports as a teenager after being picked on for his size.
"I got into the sport at a young age, when I was 13 that is when I started Ju-Jitsu, but my parents got me into it because I had confidence issues when I was growing up.
"Just because I was so small and so short I'd get bullied a bit, so not just to defend myself, but just to install that confidence in me as a young man.
"You learn a lot about yourself in an individual sport like this, when times get tough you want to know that you can get through to the other side and be okay.
"So that's what I always want to push for the younger generation as well, not just to think you can defend yourself in a fight, but it's about the way you hold yourself as a martial artist."
Mokhtarian, 32, is under pressure to deliver at the event after back-to-back UFC losses.
Kara-France isn't feeling such pressure with representing New Zealand on the combat sports scene one of his biggest ambitions for a long time.
"I love representing where I have come from, my people and showcasing how much talent we have in New Zealand."
The flyweight fighter says landing a UFC contract is like making the All Blacks.
"For us it's kind of like making the All Blacks being in the UFC, seeing it as a possibility for the new generation - it's awesome to see."
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