Kai Kara-France, born on March 26, 1993, is a professional mixed martial artist from New Zealand. He competes in the Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by his nickname “Don’t Blink”, Kara-France began his professional MMA career in 2010.
Here you can follow Kai Kara France’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
About Kai Kara France
Kai Kara-France, born on March 26, 1993, is a professional mixed martial artist from New Zealand. He currently competes in the Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of December 5, 2023, he is ranked #4 in the UFC flyweight rankings.
Early Career
Kara-France started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 10 but stopped after two years. He resumed training in mixed martial arts as a teenager after being bullied at school due to his small stature.
He initially pursued a Bachelor of Arts before switching to a sports degree, but eventually dropped out of university to focus on his fighting career.
Professional Career
Kai Kara-France’s professional career in mixed martial arts began in 2010. He started training in MMA after being bullied for his small stature in high school.
He made his professional MMA debut against Ray Kaitiana on November 27, 2010, and won the fight. Over the next six years, Kara-France fought 19 times, building a 12-6-1 record in various promotions.
In 2016, he gained fame when he competed in the twenty-fourth season of The Ultimate Fighter. In 2018, Kara-France was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the biggest platform for MMA fighters.
He made his UFC debut in Adelaide, Australia, where he won by decision and received the Fight of the Night bonus. As of December 2023, he is ranked #4 in the UFC flyweight rankings.
As of June 2023, his professional record stands at 24 wins and 11 losses. His wins include 11 by knockout, 3 by submission, and 10 by decision. His losses include 3 by knockout, 3 by submission, and 5 by decision.
Kai Kara France’s Net Worth Details
Kai Kara-France’s net worth is estimated to be $500,000 as of 2025. His earnings come from his prize money as a professional mixed martial artist, endorsements, and other sources.
Prize Money
Kai Kara-France has earned significant prize money throughout his career as a professional mixed martial artist. His earnings include base salaries, win bonuses, performance bonuses, and fight week incentive pay.
For instance, in his fight against Brandon Moreno, Kara-France took home a reported $232,000, which included a $150,000 base salary, a $50,000 performance bonus, and $32,000 in sponsorship.
In another event, UFC Vegas 74, Kara-France was expected to earn over $100,000, which included his base salary and potential bonuses. His earnings from this event alone were reported to be $111,000.
Career Earnings
Event | Date | Opponent | Result | Earnings |
UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs Tuivasa | Dec 2/18 | Garcia | W | $73,500 |
UFC 234 | Feb 10/19 | Paiva | W | $27,500 |
UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs Zhang | Aug 31/19 | De La Rosa | W | $43,500 |
UFC 245 | Dec 14/19 | Moreno | L | $29,000 |
UFC Fight Night: Felder vs Hooker | Feb 23/20 | Nam | W | $54,000 |
UFC 253 | Sept 26/20 | Royval | L | $85,000 |
UFC 259 | Mar 6/21 | Bontorin | L | $135,000 |
UFC 269 | Dec 11/21 | Garbrandt | W | $140,000 |
Endorsements
Kara-France has cultivated a strong relationship with several brands. He has a sponsorship deal with Onnys.co, a clothing brand.
In addition to this, he often utilizes his social media platforms to endorse local businesses in New Zealand and Australia, such as Sneaker Mode, a New Zealand-based sneaker retailer, and Dhillon Dai Developments, a real estate agency operating in New Zealand.
Personal Details
Full name | James Kaiwhare Kara-France |
Nickname | Don’t Blink |
Birth date | March 26, 1993 |
Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
Birthplace | Auckland, New Zealand |
Nationality | New Zealand |
Current net worth | $500,000 |
Relationship status | Married |
Wife | Chardae |
Instagram profile | @kaikarafrance |
Wife
Kai Kara-France is married to a woman named Chardae. The couple tied the knot in a beautiful backyard wedding during the pandemic in late 2021. They have a son together and, as of 2023, they were expecting their second child.
Fight Record
Total Fights | Wins | Losses | Wins by Knockout | Wins by Submission | Wins by Decision |
36 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 10 |
FAQs
Who is Kai Kara-France?
Kai Kara-France is a professional mixed martial artist from New Zealand. He competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight division. His nickname is “Don’t Blink,” which is pretty cool and probably refers to how quick and exciting his fights can be.
When and where was Kai Kara-France born?
Kai was born on March 26, 1993, in Auckland, New Zealand. He will be 31 years old in 2024.
What’s Kai Kara-France’s fighting record?
As of 2024, Kai’s professional MMA record is pretty impressive. He’s won 24 fights and lost 11. Of his wins, 11 were by knockout, 3 by submission, and 10 by decision. This shows that he’s a well-rounded fighter who can win in different ways.
When did Kai Kara-France join the UFC?
Kai made his UFC debut on December 1, 2018. He won his first fight in the promotion against Elias Garcia by unanimous decision.
What are some of Kai Kara-France’s notable achievements?
Kai has had some big moments in his career. He was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 24 in 2016. He’s fought for the Interim Flyweight Championship in the UFC, which is a pretty big deal. He’s also known for his exciting fighting style and has won Fight of the Night bonuses.
What’s Kai Kara-France’s fighting style like?
Kai is known for his striking skills. He’s got fast hands and good footwork, which fits well with his “Don’t Blink” nickname. He’s also shown good takedown defense and the ability to get back up when taken down. His style often leads to exciting stand-up battles.
Where does Kai Kara-France train?
Kai trains at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand. This gym is famous for producing several top UFC fighters, including Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker.
Has Kai Kara-France ever fought for a UFC title?
Yes, he has. Kai fought Brandon Moreno for the Interim UFC Flyweight Championship on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277. Although he lost that fight, getting a title shot is a big achievement.
What weight class does Kai Kara-France compete in?
Kai competes in the Flyweight division, which has a weight limit of 125 pounds (56.7 kg).
What’s next for Kai Kara-France?
As of 2024, Kai is still competing in the UFC’s Flyweight division. Given his skills and experience, he’s likely aiming to climb back up the rankings and potentially get another shot at the title. His exciting fighting style means fans are always eager to see his next bout.