UFC Fight Night: Kai Kamaka III vs Dakota Hope Preview & Prediction
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A lightweight clash serves as the first fight of the night, with Kai Kamaka III facing Dakota Hope in his return to the UFC.
Kai Kamaka III vs Dakota Hope facts
What time are Kai Kamaka III and Dakota Hope expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 272
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan main card
Renato Moicano vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
Virna Jandiroba vs Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)
Ethyn Ewing vs Rafael Estevam (Bantamweight)
Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini (Featherweight)
Jose Mauro Delano vs Robert Ruchala (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan prelims
Guilherme Pat vs Thomas Petersen (Heavyweight)
Alessandro Costa vs Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
Lando Vannata vs Darrius Flowers (Lightweight)
Alice Pereira vs Hailey Cowan (Women’s Bantamweight)
Azamat Bekoev vs Tresean Gore (Middleweight)
Dione Barbosa vs Melissa Gatto (Women’s Flyweight)
Kai Kamaka III vs Dakota Hope (Lightweight)
Kai Kamaka III: "The Fighting Hawaiian" looks to make good on his second stint in the UFC
Going 1-2-1 in his first UFC run between 2020 and 2021, Kai Kamaka III (17-7-1) returns for his second spell with the promotion after stints in Bellator and the PFL, going 6-1 and 2-1 respectively. While the Hawaiian is a well-rounded combatant, Kamaka tends to do his best work when he's able to get into his flow on the feet, corralling his opponents against the fence before letting go with polished boxing combinations. "The Fighting Hawaiian" looks to be much improved since his first stint in the UFC, and will feel like he has a point to prove in his return to the promotion.
Dakota Hope: "Huracan" aims to make the most of his short-notice shot at the big leagues
Stepping in on short notice in lieu of challenging for the Fury FC featherweight title next month, Dakota Hope (11-1) looks to skip the line to the big leagues on Saturday night. With just under half of his professional wins coming by way of KO, the 29 year old American looks to pose a significant threat on the feet, although his defence leaves a lot to be desired. Fighting out of 4 oz Fight Club alongside the likes of Joshua Van and Alden Coria, Hope leans heavily on his speed and athleticism, often literally hurling himself at his opponents to close the distance in order to land clubbing strikes or takedowns.
Kai Kamaka III vs Dakota Hope prediction
Thrown together on relatively short notice to make up the numbers on one of the most meagre cards in recent memory, this is the quintessential Apex style match up.
An athletic KO threat, Hope looks to be dangerous regional level talent. While he hasn’t fought the best levels of competition throughout his career to date and looks to heavily rely on a physicality advantage, he’s riding a five fight win streak and is coming off a ferocious first round knockout victory in his last appearance.
However, while he’s never been much of a finisher, Kamaka looks to be the safer pick on paper. This is his second stint in the UFC and he’s got a considerable edge in overall experience over Hope courtesy of his time in Bellator and the PFL. The Hawaiian has been in there with decent levels of competition, taking Brendan Loughnane to a split decision as recently as 2024.
There’s always a chance that Hope lands a bomb to score the upset, but Kamaka has only ever been legitimately KO’d once and hasn’t been finished by strikes in almost six years. As such, I like the Hawaiian’s more well-rounded skillset and superior strength of schedule to see him to a decision victory in his return.
Prediction: Kai Kamaka III to win by decision
