It’s wonderful when a plan comes together. For Kai Kamaka, that what unfolded in the weeks leading up to winning “Fight of the Night” in his UFC debut.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the MMA world can be ripe with opportunity for certain athletes. A prospect like Kamaka (8-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who has been keen to break through to a big organization for the past few years, can take advantage if the appropriate steps are taken.
Kamaka traveled from his native Hawaii to fight under the LFA banner on July 31, where he beat Michael Stack by unanimous decision. Instead of going home, though, he went to Las Vegas in the hopes of getting a short-notice UFC opportunity in a time where cards are seeing constant change due to various circumstances.
He got teased at first with a call to help corner a stablemate who was fighting on a card, but then UFC needed a fight for its UFC 252 lineup on Aug. 15, and Kamaka was offered a featherweight matchup with fellow newcomer Tony Kelley, which he won in a thrilling unanimous decision.
“This was the plan from the beginning, to be in Vegas,” Kamaka told MMA Junkie. “I was waiting around for a call and my manager (Brin Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment) called me on Wednesday. I got a phone call from him thinking, ‘Oh, this might be the call.’ It was actually to corner Joaquim Buckley (for his UFC fight). Then not long after I got the call of a lifetime.”
Being ready to jump on any opportunity was likely Kamaka’s best bet to get into the UFC. He said he’s felt ready to fight in the sport’s premier promotions for a while, but had yet to get a serious look. Bellator gave him one-off fights on its shows in Hawaii in December 2018 and December 2019, but it did not follow with an exclusive, multi-fight offer despite him winning both bouts.
With just one finish in his career and the rest of the wins by decision, Kamaka’s brand had something of a stigma for lengthier fights that wouldn’t end in a finish. He didn’t put his opponent away in his UFC debut, but he more than showed he’s willing to put himself in harm’s way with a three-round slugfest against Kelly.
Although he couldn’t stop Kelley inside the distance, Kamaka thinks he shook any perceptions of being underwhelming with his three-round slugfest.
“I didn’t come with the mindset of just getting my foot in the door – I wanted to come after it,” Kamaka said. “If I was going to show I belong in the UFC I needed to win that fight like I did.”
What makes the situation all the more impressive is Kamaka’s sacrifices. His wife is pregnant with their third child, which is due in October, but she encouraged him to follow the plan of staying in Las Vegas after his LFA win to ensure he wasn’t missing out.
“She’s due in October and she was willing to let me stay here pretty much up until her birth,” Kamaka said. “That’s pushing it because in the last four weeks the baby could come at any time. She was willing to let me stay in Las Vegas until mid September or late September because there’s so many events. You don’t know it’s going to hit, but you might as well shoot your shot. I’m already here.”
With his family soon about to grow in size, Kamaka adding a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus to his bank account along with the win is truly significant for him, he said. The 25-year-old said he’s going to embrace the moment, but as soon as his child arrives, intends to keep his momentum going.
“It’s very life-changing,” Kamaka said. “I took a gamble all the way around in my life. I believe in myself so much. My wife quit her job right before the LFA fight because I believed so much I would make it to the UFC I wanted her to stay at home with the kids and take care of the kids. It couldn’t have worked out any better.
“My life is going to be a little bit more secure now. I don’t care when I fight after my child’s birth. I plan to fight again this year. Everybody’s tough at this point and I’m ready for them all.”
Kai Kamaka bet on himself, altered pre-UFC perception with ‘Fight of the Night’ debut win
