UFC 245: Kai Kara-France falls short in decision loss to Brandon Moreno

Kai Kara-France and Brandon Moreno in action
Kai Kara-France and Brandon Moreno in action Photo credit: Getty

Kiwi flyweight Kai Kara-France has suffered his first defeat as a UFC fighter.

Riding a four-fight Octagon win streak since his debut in 2017, a win over Mexican Brandon Moreno would have propelled Kara-France into the title conversation.

But Moreno produced high-pressure offence to frustrate Kara-France, eventually grounding out a tough unanimous-decision win.

The City Kickboxing prospect started well, dropping Moreno with a heavy right hand in the first round, while he also had success with his jab and leg kicks.

But Moreno adjusted superbly in the final 10 minutes, lighting up Kara-France with slick hand combinations. Kara-France hung tough and had his moments in a very close final round, but the judges were ultimately influenced by Moreno's pressure game.

Defeat drops Kara-France to 20-8 as a pro - 4-1 in the UFC - while Moreno is in the mix for a flyweight title eliminator in his next fight.