New Zealand's latest UFC recruit can finally plan for the fight he has been waiting his entire career for.
Flyweight Kai Kara-France's (17-7) official UFC debut will take place on December 2 in Adelaide on the UFC Fight Night card.
The 25-year-old will face Iranian-born Australian Ashkan Mokhtarian (13-3) in a fight two-years in the making.
The Aucklander's arrival to the UFC has been a long time coming after his explosive performance on reality show The Ultimate Fighter in 2016.
Kara-France scored a 28-second knockout during the tournament, and despite a quarter-final exit, many fans believed a full-time UFC contract was just a matter of time.
It may have taken longer than most pundits expected, but Kara-France is excited to finally have his name on a UFC card.
"It's kind of a milestone in my career to get that call up I've been working so hard for," Kara-France told Newshub.
"To finally sign on the dotted line and get an opponent and fight at a location so close to home that my friends and family can attend, it's just such a special moment."
Kara-France isn't expecting too many pre-fight nerves, despite being set to make his first appearance on the sport's biggest stage.
His experience inside the Ultimate Fighter house two years ago is more than enough proof the knockout specialist is more than comfortable fighting in front of the biggest names in mixed martial arts.
"I have fought in the hardest conditions you can imagine," Kara-France said.
"Being in Las Vegas, away from my team and my family, all cooped up with 15 other guys and I still performed at a high level, scoring a highlight reel knockout in front of the President of the UFC in Dana White.
"Fighting with three months' notice, in front of my friends and family, is a treat from me. I enjoy that - it's what I have hoped for."
Mokhtarian, 32, is a fighter under pressure after back-to-back UFC losses. Kara-France expects a desperate opponent to be standing across the cage from him come December 2.
"I'm not taking Ash lightly at all," he said.
"He will be dangerous and desperate and ready to swing for the fences to get that finish, so I'm going to stay cool-headed and calculated, and hopefully that finish will come my way.
"He's okay everywhere without having a particular speciality. I'll be training to fight anywhere and not just rely on my one-punch knockout power.
"We will be more than prepared when the time comes."
Newshub.
