Credit:Getty/UFC
Credit:Getty/UFC
Credit:Getty/UFC
Kai
Kara France may have been the so-called “B-side” heading into
his UFC 269 matchup with Cody
Garbrandt, but he changed perceptions in relatively short order
on Saturday night.
Kara France earned the most high-profile victory of his career to
date, as he defeated the former bantamweight title holder via
first-round technical knockout in a featured bout at the T-Mobile
Arena. The City Kickboxing member floored “No Love” with an
overhand right during an early exchange and then later put
Garbrandt away with a salvo of heavy punches against the fence at
the 3:21 mark of Round 1.
“I had to go to the body first. I know he’s got good head movement,
one of the best boxers in the UFC,” Kara France said in a
post-fight interview. “So I knew the head would be moving a lot,
but the chest and the body, it’s gonna stay still. I had to pick my
spots. Once I landed the first right hand, he’s wobbled. I thought,
OK it could be finishing here.
“Thankfully I was able to get a finish, another first-round
knockout, another ‘Don’t Blink’ moment. Just carrying on this
momentum, and it’s not too late to jump on the hype train.”
It was a rough flyweight debut for Garbrandt, who has now lost four
of his five Octagon appearances.
“All the respect to Cody
Garbrandt, such a legend of the sport,” Kara France said. “But
like I said in the press conferences and the weigh-ins, it’s my
time. I just told him, nothing but love. I know his nickname’s ‘No
Love.’ I said nothing but love and respect, you’re a legend of the
sport.”
It’s quite possible that Garbrandt — a UFC favorite — might have
been fast tracked to a title shot with a win. Kara France wants to
receive the same treatment following a finish over a marquee
name.
“I just knew what was stake, fighting a former champ,” Kara France
said. “This puts me in line for the title. I train with world
champions day in and day out. I know what it takes. I’ve just been
so focused for the last four months. This is all I’ve been thinking
about: getting a highlight-reel finish on a former world
champion.”