New Zealand’s Kai Kara-France has suffered a split-decision loss to Iraq’s Amir Albazi in the main event of UFC Vegas 74 in Las Vegas.
The first fight in both fighter’s careers to go to a five-round decision, two judges scored it 48-47 in favour of Albazi, while the third scored it 48-47 for Kara-France.
Albazi looked to utilise his grappling and wrestling abilities throughout the fight, while Kara-France seemed most comfortable keeping the fight in a kickboxing range where he had success landing strikes to multiple targets, landing punches to the head and body as well as landing kicks to Albazi’s lead leg throughout the fight.
Albazi pushed forward for a significant portion of the fight, pushing the New Zealander into the fence where he looked to secure a takedown. Kara-France used the cage to stay on his feet, successfully defending eight of nine takedown attempts over the course of the fight, even landing two of his own. After taking Kara-France to the ground, Albazi was able to transition to Kara-France’s back and lock in a body triangle while he hunted for the rear naked choke, appearing to have his hand deep under Kara-France’s chin at one point, however, Kara-France was able to escape the attempt and transition to top-guard, ending the round landing heavy ground and pound strikes.
The post-fight statistics have Kara-France landing 133 strikes, 99 of which were significant, to Albazi’s 64 total, 43 being significant. Albazi landed one of nine takedown attempts and holding six minutes of control time, while Kara-France secured two of two takedowns and had 58 seconds of ground control time.
UFC commentators Laura Sanko and Michael Bisping both voiced their opinions on the judging after hearing the decision, both saying they scored the fight for Kara-France.
‘I’m a little surprised by that decision…In my mind Kai Kara-France was landing the harder shots’ Sanko said.
‘I thought they were going to say Kai Kara-France…I do feel like Kara-France kinda won.’ Said Bisping.
In the cage after his win, Albazi said he has his eyes set on the flyweight title.
‘There is no name, there is only one thing I want, and this is to get that title. That’s all that matters…Pantoja, Moreno, whoever wins that fight, I wanna be next. I wanna get my title.’ Albazi said.
Flyweight champion Brandon Moreno is set to face Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event of UFC 290 in July, with Albazi calling for the winner of that fight to face him in Abu Dhabi in October.
‘Abu Dhabi, October 21st, I know [the UFC is] coming to Abu Dhabi, it’s my people. Give me that fight.’ Said Albazi.
