Moreno’s victory that night was his first since the UFC cut him in 2018, and he parlayed that win into a three-fight streak that landed him in the first of three fights against current flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo a year after defeating Kara-France. Moreno would spend the next 13 months locked in that trilogy, which currently stands even at 1-1-1.
Along the way, Moreno earned fan-favorite status due to his relatable and infectious personality, as well as his propensity to get into entertaining fights, and Kara-France fully anticipates and embraces what is likely a heavily pro-Moreno crowd in Dallas on fight night.
Photo Gallery: Kai Kara-France Trains For UFC 277 In Dallas
“I welcome that,” Kara-France said. “I feed off their energy, and I know everyone back home is going to be watching it. That’s the energy I feed off, as well, knowing all my family, friends, New Zealand, all my ancestors, my tupuna, are going to be there in my corner watching me and helping me do what I need to do. I’m just going to channel it, and when I come out to my song ‘Poi E’ (by Pātea Māori Club), it just reminds me of who I’m representing, why I’m doing this and what I’m about. What I’m about to go do is be present, stay calm, calculated, use my composure, and eventually, we’ll find the shot.”
While Kara-France’s evolution is evident, he ponders the stagnation Moreno might have experienced preparing for the same opponent three camps in a row. To Moreno’s credit, he moved his training camp to Glory MMA under James Krause ahead of this fight, and Kara-France is anticipating the best version of the former champion.
That said, composure is key in the biggest spotlight of his career. It’s a moment for which he feels prepared, but it’s also where he draws from the experiences of the elite company he keeps around City Kickboxing.
