New Zealand’s Kai Kara-France was awarded fight of the night honours in his UFC 277 battle against Brandon Moreno earlier today but was unsuccessful in his attempt to claim the interim flyweight title.
It was a rematch of a bout that took place back in December 2019, and Moreno would again walk away the victor, this time stopping Kara-France within the distance.
The first round was fairly evenly contested on the feet but Moreno started to find his mark in the second round. The finish came in the third round, as Moreno connected with a body kick that floored Kara-France. He immediately pounced on top, unloaded with punches and with Kara-France not improving his position, the referee halted the fight.
The official ending came in at 4:34 of the third round as a fourth fight against current flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo looms.
The two are actually split across their previous three fights, with Figueiredo victorious in the last outing however Moreno won the one before and the first one was declared a draw.
“It’s one of those unique, freaky deals where… who doesn’t want to see that fight again?” Dana White said in the post-fight press conference.
“and I’m the worst with that shit. I hate that shit. If someone is up 2-1 you don’t need to see that fight ever but this is just one of those rare ones where can.”
It wasn’t better news for Kara-France’s City Kickboxing team-mate Mike “Blood Diamond” Mathetha who is in danger of being released as he dropped his UFC record to 0-2. His opponent Orion Cosce took the first round only for Mathetha to bounce back in the second round. Cosce took the fight to the canvas where he was a step ahead of Mathetha on the ground while ultimately gave him the unanimous decision win.
UFC 277 took place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Main Card:
- Amanda Nunes def. Julianna Pena via Decision (Unanimous) – UFC women’s bantamweight title
- Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France via TKO (Body Kick & Punches), Rd 3, 4:34 – UFC interim flyweight title
- Sergei Pavlovich def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 0:55
- Alexandre Pantoja def. Alex Perez via Submissino (Neck Crank), Rd 1, 1:31
- Magomed Ankalaev def. Anthony Smith via TKO (Punches), Rd 2, 3:09
Preliminary Card:
- Alex Morono def. Matthew Semelsberger via Decision (Unanimous)
- Drew Dober def. Rafael Alves via KO (Body Punch), Rd 3, 1:30
- Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Don’Tale Mayes via Decision (Split)
- Drakkar Klose def. Rafa Garcia via Decision (Unanimous)
Early Prelims:
- Michael Morales def. Adam Fugitt via TKO (Punches), Rd 3, 1:09
- Joselyn Edwards def. Ji Yeon Kim via Decision (Split)
- Nicolae Negumereanu def. Ihor Potieria via TKO (Punches & Knees), Rd 2, 3:33
- Orion Cosce def. Mike Mathetha via Decision (Unanimous)
