How a Kiwi fighter who works closely with the New Zealand Warriors NRL team is ready to be the villain against Aussie Steve ErcegĀ at UFC 305 in Perth
- Kai Kara-France will fightĀ Aussie Steve Erceg at UFC 305
- Kiwi UFC star is also part of the Warriors NRL coaching staff
- UFC 305 will be staged at Perth'sĀ RAC Arena on August 18
UFC star Kai Kara-France has always been a huge fan of the New Zealand Warriors - so when the NRL side asked him to be a wrestling coach, the Kiwi leapt at the opportunity.
Kara-France, 31, will fight AussieĀ Steve Erceg at UFC 305 in Perth this weekend, and the flyweight fighter - who is currently ranked fourth globally in his weight division - can't wait to be the villain.
He joined the Warriors on the recommendation of Adam Blair last year, and has loved working with the likes ofĀ Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and RogerĀ Tuivasa-Sheck behind closed doors.
'I grew up watching this team and joining the staff was a dream come true,' he told News Corp via Code Sports.
'I've never played rugby league, but I grew up watching the sport and I'm just there to teach them quality wrestling work.
'It's about being efficient with your movements, and being more body-aware.
'Being a part of a team has been great, hopefully we can work towards a premiership, that's the goal.'
And when Kara-France suffered a bad concussion when training ahead of his UFC 293 bout last year, the Warriors aided his recovery.
![UFC star Kai Kara-France has always been a huge fan of the New Zealand Warriors - so when the NRL side asked him to be a wrestling coach, he leapt at the opportunity](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/13/07/88468499-13737925-image-a-116_1723531151935.jpg)
UFC star Kai Kara-France has always been a huge fan of the New Zealand Warriors - so when the NRL side asked him to be a wrestling coach, he leapt at the opportunity
![Kara-France (right) will fight Aussie Steve Erceg at UFC 305 in Perth this weekend, and can't wait to be the villain](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/13/07/88468495-13737925-image-a-117_1723531167940.jpg)
Kara-France (right) will fight Aussie Steve Erceg at UFC 305 in Perth this weekend, and can't wait to be the villain
![The UFC star joined the Warriors on the recommendation of Adam Blair, and has loved working with the likes of Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/13/07/88468505-13737925-image-m-119_1723531229709.jpg)
The UFC star joined the Warriors on the recommendation of Adam Blair, and has loved working with the likes of Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-SheckĀ
Suffering nausea, dizziness and headaches, Kara-France met with the club'sĀ neurologist, Dr. James Cunningham, who pinpointed his problem.
Cognitive tests proved that Kara-France needed to take a step back, with short walks his initial only form of approved exercise.
He then began jogging and weight training, before eventually returning to full contact sparring.
Kara-France even joined in on the club's pre-season fitness program - and he is prepared for a hostile reception this weekend when he takes on Perth localĀ Erceg.
'All the boys are massive fans of fighting and the UFC... so there's a mutual respect,' he said.Ā
'I'm sure they [Warriors] will be supporting me, there has been a real buy-in from them.'
UFC 305 will be staged at Perth's RAC Arena on August 18.