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Kai Kara-France Removed From UFC Flyweight Top 15; Team Says He’s Taking Year Off

Ariel Helwani reports the New Zealander informed the promotion he will step away for a year, making him ineligible for the rankings.

Overview

  • The post–UFC 322 update excluded the former title challenger from the 125-pound list, with Rafael Estevam entering the top 15.
  • Helwani, citing Kara-France’s camp, said the fighter has taken at least a year off and exited the testing pool for cultural and personal reasons.
  • His team indicated he is not retiring and has not been released by the UFC.
  • Kara-France most recently lost a title fight to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 317 after a prior win over Steve Erceg.
  • The UFC has not issued a public explanation, and journalists and fans had pressed for clarity, including a callout from reporter John Morgan.