Kiwi UFC livewire Kai Kara-France will take the next step on his mission to the flyweight throne, when he squares off with Mark De La Rosa in China on Saturday.
The journey to the far east is familiar to the Aucklander - a throwback to his days as a prospect churning out results throughout the backblocks of Asia, as he chased his UFC dream.
"At one point, I was fighting there almost every month, when I was trying to campaign for the Auckland card, back in 2016," Kara-France told Newshub's Fight Club podcast.
"It's going to be a bit of a flashback going back there - I didn't think I ever would. I guess I've got a fanbase there already."
When 'Don't Blink' clocks in this weekend, it will be purely business. On a seven-fight undefeated streak - two of those in the UFC - he'll have a golden opportunity to propel himself into the title picture in a division crying out for contenders.
"That's what's motivating me, knowing that it's right in front of me. I could be two fights away from a title shot - put on one or two exciting fights, get a finish and you're in contention."
Champions antics "ridiculous"
Current champion Henry Cejudo has been preoccupied with his bantamweight ambitions, where he also holds a belt, while attracting plenty of attention for his bizarre callout of women's flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko.
Even Kara-France, who was coached by Cejudo during his time on reality show The Ultimate Fighter, believes it's all a gimmick - nothing more than a shameless bid to curate a clickable image.
"It's a bit ridiculous, I don't really like it. It's a hard thing to watch, because I like the guy and we've got a good relationship, but it's kind of like selling yourself out.
"You're just doing it all for clickbait and attention. You want your work to be admired, not the way you talk.
"It's forced - and it's a shame, because he's a good fighter and a good champion, but I don't like it."
Visions of UFC gold
The division has essentially stalled, awaiting Cejudo's next move, which Kara-France insist should be granting No.1 contender Joseph Benavidez a well-deserved shot at the belt.
Currently sitting 10th in the divisional rankings, a comprehensive win over De La Rosa this weekend could see Kara-France take on the winner of the bout between sixth-placed Tim Elliott and third-placed Deiveson Figueiredo in October, which could potentially decide the next candidate to take on the champ.
"I just can't wait to get in there and not just be watching from the sidelines, and actually have a run at this title."
But De La Rosa has had his undivided attention for the past 10 weeks, as Kara-France and his team devise a plan to overcome the gritty and highly technical grappler.
Six months after his last Octagon appearance, Kara-France is primed and eager to showcase his rapidly improving game. The Kiwi has spent that time well and feels he's in the best condition of his career after that tight decision win over Raulian Paiva in Melbourne, where he had to battle through a hand injury suffered in just his second strike of the contest.
"I've been able to heal injuries, work on skill-sets and come in well prepared. I've just been upskilling everything and levelling up my whole game.
"That's why I'm so confident making that walk into the Octagon, because I know I've put everything into it, left no stone unturned and I'm just ready to show my full capabilities - not held back by anything."
Dreams of fighting in Melbourne
And motivation is plentiful for Kara-France. Beyond the title and ranking ramifications of his tussle with De La Rosa, a history-making UFC 243 in Melbourne serves as a gargantuan carrot dangling before him.
The turnaround for the October 6 blockbuster would be short, but a chance to team up with City Kickboxing stablemates Dan Hooker and Israel Adesanya would - with a couple of caveats - be one for the mantelpiece.
"If I come out of that fight unscathed and my body holds up, it would be amazing to get on that card with Izzy and Dan - do it back-to-back.
"That's what I'm willing to do - I'm willing to take risks like that. I'm here to fight, I'm here to make money and that's what I'm planning on doing in this flyweight division.
"If I'm not on it, I'll still be there supporting the boys. I could have front row seats or I could have the best seat in the house - inside the Octagon, looking out to 60,000 people."
The 27-year-old admits the UFC has yet to see his best and a statement win this weekend could barely be better timed.
"I'm ready to go wherever this fight goes - to see what he brings to the table, solve the puzzle and get the finish somehow.
"I'm just getting warmed up."
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