An intriguing Aussie versus Kiwi flyweight contest has been announced for the upcoming UFC show in Adelaide.
Iranian-born Australian Ashkan Mokhtarian (13-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) will welcome New Zealand’s Kai Kara-France (17-7) to the octagon as he makes his UFC debut.
Mokhtarian joined the UFC on a six-fight winning streak but has been unable to find success since joining the organisation. The 32-year-old has not stepped inside the cage since November of 2017 after suffering a KO loss to Ryan Benoit in Sydney. The Australian Top Team product also lost his UFC debut to John Moraga. He will be eager to pick up his first UFC win when he takes on Kara-France.
Joining the UFC has been a long time coming for Kara-France who competed on season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2016. Kara-France scored the only KO win on the season but went on to lose in the quarter finals to now UFC fighter Alexandre Pantoja. Many expected the hard-hitting Kiwi to be picked up by the UFC despite the loss as is often the case for fighters who compete on the reality show.
Instead, the 25-year-old Aucklander had to keep fighting on the regional circuit for two years before finally being called up to the big show. Kara-France is now riding a five-fight winning streak with wins in Australia, China and New Zealand, experience that will be invaluable when he finally makes his UFC debut in Adelaide.
Kara-France will Join City-Kickboxing team mates Daniel Hooker, Israel Adesanya and Shane Young when he makes his debut.
The fight is the third to be announced for the Adelaide show which takes place on December 2nd. Jimmy Crute v Paul Craig and Wilson Reis v Ben Nguyen have been confirmed for the end of year card.
Jimmy Crute will make UFC debut against Paul Craig in Adelaide
