MMA Preview – Kai Kara-France vs Cody Garbrandt at UFC 269
KAI KARA-FRANCE VS CODY GARBRANDT FACTS
When is UFC 269? Sunday 12th December, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 269? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 269? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 268
What channel is UFC 269 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 269? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
KAI KARA-FRANCE VS CODY GARBRANDT LOWDOWN
Kai Kara-France (22-9(1)) has gone 2-2 after the current champion Brandon Moreno snapped his eight-fight win streak. In his first three UFC fights he earnt decent decisions over Elias Garcia, Raulian Paiva (who fights Sean O’Malley on this card) and Mark De La Rosa but dropped the points against Moreno two years ago. He responded with another decision over Tyson Nam before that wild scrap with Brandon Royval where he eventually got submitted. He returned this year and put on a ‘performance of the night’ against Rogerio Bontorin knocking him out the first round.
Now, he welcomes Cody Garbrandt (12-4) down to the flyweight division. The former bantamweight champion needed a change after losing four out of his last five and struggling to keep up with the elite of the division. The first loss of his career came in his title defence and grudge match with TJ Dillashaw. He got knocked out again in the rematch and then Pedro Munhoz made it three knockouts in a row. He returned 15 months later to pull off a vintage Garbrandt knockout over Raphael Assuncao but another year later in May this year, he lost a unanimous decision to Rob Font.
KAI KARA-FRANCE VS CODY GARBRANDT PREDICTION
When Garbrandt put on a clinic against Dominick Cruz, we thought we were witnessing the next bantamweight ‘GOAT’. Now, he has resorted to searching into the flyweight division for wins. Injury and inactivity slowed him down for sure, but the method he was losing was alarming. However, at 125 lbs, there is more room for error with his lack of fight IQ .
Providing he can make weight smoothly, he will be safe in the knowledge that he will be serving up more power than any other flyweight. So, Kara-France will need to sharpen up his defence here as Garbrandt will not need 3.84 significant strikes per minute to put him away. In fact, he only needs one.
The Kiwi is a striker by trade and is technically sound so if Garbrandt throws the game plan out the octagon again and decides to plant and swing, Kara-France will capitalize. He possesses a four-inch reach advantage despite giving up four in height and Garbrandt will be depleted making his chin even weaker.
If Garbrandt struggles with his weight cut, you have to back Kara-France and considering he is the underdog, he is the smart bet. If he makes the 125 mark easily, Garbrandt is the pick with more experience, power, speed and only needs one clean clip of the jaw.
Prediction: Garbrandt via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Kara-France via KO/TKO
