Kai Kara-France Biography: James Kaiwhare “Kai” Kara-France (born March 26, 1993) is a professional mixed martial artist from New Zealand, currently competing in the UFC’s flyweight division. As of December 5, 2023, he holds the #4 spot in the UFC flyweight rankings.
Kai Kara-France Biography
Kai Kara-France is rapidly emerging as a prominent name in the UFC’s flyweight division. A New Zealand-based fighter, he has competed in both the bantamweight and flyweight classes. Throughout his career, he has participated in several global competitions, including the Legend Fighting Championship, Pacific Xtreme Combat, and Bandung Fighting Club. As of now, Kara-France holds the #4 position in the UFC flyweight rankings.
Kai Kara-France Biography 2025 Details
| Born | James Kaiwhare Kara-France 26 March 1993 (age 32) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nickname | Don’t Blink |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) |
| Division | Flyweight Bantamweight |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Team | Tiger Muay Thai (2012–2016) City Kickboxing (2016–present) |
| Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Category | WWE News |
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About Kai Kara-France
James Kaiwhare “Kai” Kara-France is a New Zealand professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of 5 December 2023, he is #4 in the UFC flyweight rankings.
Kai Kara-France Wiki
- Born: 26 March 1993 (age 32 years), Auckland, New Zealand
- Weight: 57 kg
- Height: 63 m
- Nickname: Don’t Blink
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Education: Mount Albert Grammar School, Unitec Mt Albert Campus
- Division: Flyweight; Bantamweight
Early Life of Kai Kara-France
Born on March 26, 1993, in Auckland, New Zealand, Kai Kara-France has made a name for himself in mixed martial arts, particularly in the UFC’s flyweight division. Growing up in Auckland, Kai was raised in a supportive family that embraced the values and traditions of his Māori and Samoan heritage. These cultural influences, known for their emphasis on discipline and respect, played a key role in shaping his approach to martial arts.
He attended Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland, where he balanced his education with his growing passion for martial arts. Despite the challenges of managing both academics and training, Kai was determined to excel in both areas. During his school years, he also ventured into other combat sports such as Muay Thai and boxing, expanding his versatility as a fighter. After high school, Kara-France made the decision to pursue MMA full-time, moving to Thailand to train in Muay Thai, a key striking discipline in MMA.
Kai Kara-France’s Family Life
Kai Kara-France tends to keep his personal life private, but it is known that he married Chardae during the COVID-19 lockdown, and the couple are parents to two children. Their firstborn, Cobi, has been featured on their social media accounts. In 2023, Kai and Chardae announced their second pregnancy on Instagram, but they have kept details about their second child private.
Kai Kara-France’s Career Timeline
Kai made his UFC debut on December 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 142, where he secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Elias Garcia. This victory marked the beginning of his rise in the flyweight division. Kara-France continued to build momentum, winning a split decision over Raulian Paiva at UFC 234 in February 2019, and another unanimous decision against Mark De La Rosa at UFC Fight Night 156 in August 2019. However, his first major setback came at UFC 245 in December 2019, when he faced Brandon Moreno and lost by unanimous decision.
Undeterred by the loss, Kara-France bounced back in February 2020 with a victory over Tyson Nam at UFC Fight Night 168 in his hometown of Auckland. Unfortunately, in September 2020, he faced Brandon Royval at UFC 253 and lost by guillotine choke in the second round, after a back-and-forth first round. He came back strong in March 2021 at UFC 259 with a spectacular first-round knockout of Rogerio Bontorin, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Partnerships and Endorsements
In addition to his UFC earnings, Kai Kara-France has partnerships with brands like YouKnowClothing and Onnys.co, which provide him with additional income streams.
Kai Kara-France’s Career Stats and Record
Kai Kara-France has amassed a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 11 losses, with one no-contest. He has won 11 of his bouts by knockout/TKO, 3 by submission, and 10 by decision. In his UFC career, he has accumulated seven victories and four defeats.
Kai Kara-France’s Net Worth 2025
Kai Kara-France’s net worth is estimate at $500,000. A significant portion of his income comes from his UFC career, including his base salary and performance bonuses. Additionally, he has endorsement deals with brands like YouKnowClothing and Onnys.co. His base salary in the UFC is report to be $150,000, and in his most recent fight, he earned a total of $232,000, including bonuses.
FAQs
What is Kai Kara-France’s ethnicity and cultural background?
Kai Kara-France is of Māori and Samoan descent. He was raised in Auckland, New Zealand, with strong ties to his cultural heritage, which has shaped his disciplined approach to martial arts.
How did Kai Kara-France start his journey in mixed martial arts?
Kai began practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 10, and later expanded into other combat sports, including Muay Thai and boxing. His passion for martial arts led him to fully pursue MMA after high school, eventually training in Thailand to hone his Muay Thai skills.
What is Kai Kara-France’s UFC debut fight result?
Kai Kara-France made his UFC debut on December 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 142, where he secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Elias Garcia, marking the start of his UFC career.
How much does Kai Kara-France make per fight in the UFC?
Kai Kara-France’s base salary in the UFC is report to be $150,000. Additionally, he receives performance bonuses, with his total earnings for his most recent fight amounting to $232,000.
What promotions did Kai Kara-France compete in before joining the UFC?
Before signing with the UFC, Kai Kara-France competed in several international promotions, including Kunlun Fight in China and Eternal MMA in Australia, where he gained experience and built a reputation as a top fighter.
Does Kai Kara-France have any endorsement deals?
Yes, Kai Kara-France has endorsement deals with brands like YouKnowClothing and Onnys.co, which provide him with additional income beyond his UFC salary.