Mixed Martial Arts: Kiwi star Kai Kara-France destroys American Cody Garbrandt, calls for UFC flyweight title shot

Kiwi star Kai Kara-France has quickly accounted for American rival Cody Garbrandt at UFC 269 and immediately demanded a crack at the flyweight crown currently held by Mexican Brandon Moreno.

Facing probably the toughest opponent of his career - a former bantamweight champion dropping down for his debut at the lighter division - Kara-France dominated from the start, dropping Garbrandt with a straight right to the chin and continuing to land blows, until his technical knockout victory at 3m 21s in the first round. 

"I told you I was going to answer a lot of questions tonight and I did," says Kara-France. "I know I'm the best in the world and taking down a former champ put me right in line for the next title shot.

"I'll be watching Moreno-Figueiredo and I want the winner of that fight. In 2022, you'll be seeing the new flyweight champion right here."

Moreno was due to defend his crown against archrival Deiveson Figueiredo later on the same card - the third of a trilogy series that began with a draw, before Moreno's submission victory in June - but the encounter has been moved to UFC 270 in January.

Currently ranked No.6 in the division, Kara-France certainly made a strong case for his opportunity, taking the fight to his bigger opponent and impressing with his clean striking.

"That's just all hard work we do a City Kickboxing under Eugene Bareman," he says. "This is for my teammates, who helped me with this fight - they dedicate their bodies and sacrifice so much to help me out."

With training partner Dan Hooker in his corner, 'Don't Blink' dedicated his win to another fallen CKB favourite, Fau Vake, who died, after he and his brother were attacked in Auckland in May.

The result takes his UFC record to six wins and two losses, including a unanimous decision loss to Moreno in 2019.