Kai Kara-France vs. Manel Kape targeted for UFC 293 in Sydney

Fresh off his controversial loss to Amir Albazi, Kai Kara-France has been booked close to home.

Verbal agreements are in place for a flyweight matchup between Kara-France (24-11 MMA, 7-4 UFC) and Manel Kape (18-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) on Sept. 9 at UFC 293 in Sydney. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report by UFC broadcast partner ESPN.

City Kickboxing’s Kara-France will look to rebound from his split decision loss to Albazi in the UFC on ESPN 45 headliner less than three weeks ago. The setback marked Kara-France’s second in a row after falling short in a TKO loss to Brandon Moreno for the interim flyweight title at UFC 277.

Winner of his past three in a row, former Rizin bantamweight champion Kape hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision win over David Dvorak last December at UFC Fight Night 216. Since then, “Starboy” saw two matchups with Alex Perez and former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo scrapped.

With the addition, the current UFC 293 lineup currently includes:

• Viviane Araujo vs. Casey O’Neill
• Da-un Jung vs. Carlos Ulberg
• Manel Kape vs. Kai Kara-France

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 293.