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Kiwi UFC flyweight Kai Kara France aiming 'to get a finish' at UFC 234 in Melbourne

The 25-year-old is taking on Brazilian fighter Raulian Paiva at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

Kiwi mixed martial artist Kai Kara France is looking to make his mark for a second time in the UFC, as he steps back into the octagon on Sunday at UFC 234 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Kara France earned Fight of the Night honours in his UFC debut at the UFC Fight Night 142 in Adelaide in December, winning US $50,000 [NZD$ 72, 657] after defeating US rival Elias Garcia by unanimous decision.

The flyweight fighter has had no rest from his last fight, training right throughout Christmas and New Years.

"I want to keep putting on exciting fights, looking to get a finish this fight definitely," said Kara France.

He squares off against Brazilian fighter Raulian Paiva who has an MMA record of 18 wins and one loss this Sunday.

Kara France will be fighting alongside two Kiwi teammates at UFC 234, middleweight contender Israel Adesanya and featherweight fighter Shane Young.

"We've been talking about it for ages, talking about this movement [Auckland] City Kickboxing is doing right now and it's pretty surreal to see it kind of take full circle and all happening.

"So it's going to be a special night fighting with my two teammates, being in the locker room it is going to feel like just a normal day down at City Kickboxing. With like six or nine cornermen taking away the nerves, because we are so used to doing this.

"Can't wait to put on a show not just for the ANZAC's, but for my division to show that we should be in the UFC."

The 25-year-old credits his former mentor Henry Cejudo who is the current UFC flyweight champion, for keeping the division alive. After Cejudo defeated bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw via first round TKO in their super fight at 125 pounds [56.7kg] in Brooklyn last month.

The flyweight said he was cheering on his former coach Cejudo, who was crowned the new UFC flyweight champ at the weekend.

"I'm thankful I've got a job still, it's all good things right now," said Kara France.

"It's a good place to be in the UFC in the flyweight division. I feel like more people are going to take notice."

Cejudo coached Kara France on the UFC's Ultimate Fighter season 24 series in 2016.

Kara France has an MMA record of 18 wins, seven losses and one no contest. He is ranked 15th in the UFC flyweight division.

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