The MMA Daily

The co-main event comes in the Flyweight division, as Brandon Moreno and Kai Kara-France rematch each other in a high stake’s fight. One that will crown the victor, the Interim Flyweight Champion. Moreno, comes into this bout off a loss to Deiveson Figueiredo. Losing his Flyweight title in the process, Moreno is chomping at the bit to regain his throne. First though, Moreno will have to get past Kai Kara-France. A winner of three straight, two of which came via knockout, the Kiwi has stormed his way to the top of the division. While Kara-France would of rather liked to fight the Champion Figueiredo, the Interim Flyweight belt comes with the benefits of higher pay, being distinguished as a Champion and an opportunity to unite the belts.

When these two first met, it was purely a striking contest. This time around, I’m not so certain it plays out the same. The former Champion Moreno is a very well rounded fighter. On the feet, Moreno is crisp, active and has sneaky pop in his hands. Boasting an iron chin, Moreno has proven that he can withstand punishment to dish out his own. However, the strength on the Mexican is within his grappling. A dangerous fighter to tangle with on the ground, Moreno does a good job maintaining control and fishing for submissions. Knowing he will have to keep this fight upright to have any chance to win is Kara-France. A pure striker, who boasts some of the best takedown defense in the division. An important ability, as it allows Kara-France to keep the fight in his wheelhouse. Active on the feet, Kara-France is landing a solid 4.84 significant strikes per minute. Possessing power, Kara-France has won eleven of his twenty-four wins via knockout.

Knowing this fight is bound to be a chess match, I’m going to side with Moreno. Being involved in three straight five round fights, with two of them going the full twenty-five minutes, Moreno has a clear advantage in what it take to go the distance at the highest level. Being the more well rounded fighter, and already proving that he can defeat Kara-France standing, I like the Mexican’s chance to once again defeat the Kiwi. This time around however, I believe that Moreno will eventually penetrate Kara-France’s takedown defense and record submission victory number twelve.