Kai Kara-France

Kiwi UFC star caught out in hilarious – if not slightly awkward – meet-and-greet with one of the more recognisable sporting faces in the US.

So we're asking you to support us with more than your attention. Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. It’s no surprise Kara-France wasn't watching the Super Bowl or keeping up with the world’s sporting events. UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo is reportedly headed for a fourth fight against former champ Brandon Moreno and it was assumed the winner of Kara-France and Askarov would fight the victor of the Figueiredo and Moreno contest. Kara-France took a battler’s path to the UFC but he is now just one five-round fight away from possibly joining Israel Adesanya as a UFC champion fighting out of New Zealand. But the humble fighter, who will almost certainly be fighting for the UFC title when he next enters the octagon, is still getting used to his celebrity-like life and was caught off guard backstage when he was told he had a VIP guest of the UFC waiting for him.

Kai Kara-France went into the bout as a big underdog, and left as the top contender.

It was a razor-thin round, but – somewhat surprisingly – all three judges agreed that Kara-France had done enough for the win. However, Kara-France again kept his head and calmly dealt with the challenge to alter his position and ultimately shake the Russian off. Forcing a grappling exchange, the Russian was able to take Kara-France's back and lock in a body triangle once more.