A fight that could produce the next flyweight title challenger in the UFC is lined up for the promotion’s March 26, 2022 card.
Kai Kara-France will take on Askar Askarov at the event, tentatively scheduled for the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Askarov confirmed the booking on social media following an initial report by MMA Junkie.
New Zealand’s Kara-France (23-9, 1NC) will enter the bout riding a two-fight win streak, and fresh off a victory over Cody Garbrandt at UFC 269 earlier this month. Kara-France finished the former bantamweight champion by TKO in the opening round.
Interestingly, Kai Kara-France has history with current UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, having lost a decision to the Mexican fighter back in 2019. Should Moreno come out on top of his trilogy bout with Deiveson Figueiredo next month, and Kara-France have his hand raised against Askarov, a rematch would likely be an easy sell.
Of course, Askar Askarov (14-0-1) will no doubt have something to say about that. The 29-year old Russian fighter has yet to taste defeat in the UFC — or in his career period. And like Kara-France, he has history with the current champion. The only thing close to a blemish on Askarov’s record happens to be a 2019 split draw with Moreno.
Currently, Askarov is on a three-fight win streak, most recently having defeated perennial contender Joseph Benavidez.
The UFC’s March 26, 2022 event will mark one of, if not the (depending on the status of the proposed London card), first Fight Night events to leave the confines of the Apex in Las Vegas since the coronavirus pandemic hit U.S. shores. The event currently consists of the following reported bouts:
Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Amanda Ribas vs. Michelle Waterson
Tucker Lutz vs. Seungwoo Choi
Askar Askarov vs. Kai Kara-France
