LAS VEGAS – Kai Kara-France beat Rogerio Bontorin with a first-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 259 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Kara-France, who got back in the win column after a submission loss this past September.
Rogerio Bontorin vs. Kai Kara-France
Result: Kai Kara-France def. Rogerio Bontorin via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 4:55
Updated records: Kara-France (22-9 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Bontorin (16-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stat: Kara-France has alternated wins and losses his past five fights after three straight wins to open his UFC tenure.
Kara-France on the fight’s key moment
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: (R-L) Kai Kara-France of New Zealand punches Rogerio Bontorin of Brazil in their flyweight fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“Once I realized this guy hasn’t gone for the finish – he’s getting tired because I can hear him breathing as well – I was just like, ‘Let’s just get up.’ So I stood up. A lot of people would try to fight it from your back, but I was like, ‘No, I’ll do it from my feet.’ (I) took the hook off and spun him around. He landed in my guard. Stand up, and then once it was from there, I just had to let the cannon out. I had to put some hands on him and throw off bad intentions. Once one landed, I knew the finish was coming. I was landing flush. I’m glad I got my kind of walkaway knockout.”
Kara-France on getting the knockout
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: (L-R) Rogerio Bontorin of Brazil attempts to secure a rear choke against Kai Kara-France of New Zealand in their flyweight fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“This is the feeling all fighters chase. It’s the best feeling in the world. Finally. It’s been so long. I got a taste of (it on) ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ where I got a highlight reel knockout in 30 seconds, and it’s taken now seven fights in the UFC to finally get another finish.”
Kara-France on what he wants next
“I’m glad to move up in the rankings – not just tie with someone, and hopefully get a top five for my next opponent. I’ve got a few losses on my record from guys that are above me – (Brandon) Royval, (Alexandre) Pantoja from ‘The Ultimate Fighter 24,’ (Brandon) Moreno just drew with the champ. … I haven’t got anyone in mind, but I’ll go back with my team and come up with a name.”
To hear more from Kara-France, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.