UFC title contender Kai Kara-France couldn't be more sure what he wants for his 29th birthday.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
Rather than blowing out candles on a cake, the New Zealand flyweight was stepping into the octagon to fight Russia's Askar Askarov in Ohio on Sunday (NZ time).
With sixth-ranked Kara-France coming off back-to-back knockout wins, and second-ranked Askarov boasting an unbeaten record through 15 professional bouts, many believed the winner would secure themselves a shot at the belt.
The Kiwi certainly viewed it that way, and had just one other wish when it came to the title fight he was confident of closing on.
"Bring it back to New Zealand," Kara-France told RNZ from Columbus this week.
"We've missed out [on hosting] for the last two years. The borders are opening up, there's less restrictions, so it's about time...
"If all things work out, I get this win and we're talking titles. I'd love to bring it back to New Zealand and do it in front of my people."
While well aware what was on the line, Kara-France was far from getting ahead of himself.
On the contrary, the man who went by the nickname "Don't Blink" said he had his eyes wide open to the task at hand.
A belief backed up by what he had done in the wake of his statement-making knockout of former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt in December.
"I ran a marathon around Christmas time, just because I wanted to test myself ... that's where I'm at in my career, I'm doing everything I can.
"If it's seeing my strength coach, combat trainings with wresting, jiu-jitsu and kickboxing, doing my breathing sessions, seeing my sports psychologist, working with our physio. I've even got a chest freezer for ice baths and a sauna in my garage to get more recovery.
"I'm putting everything into this. Eight weeks of dedicating myself to this and when it's fight week there's no stone left unturned. No woulda coulda shoulda."
City Kickboxing UFC fighters Kai Kara-France, Israel Adesanya and Shane Young. Photo: Photosport
It's what Kara-France calls his champion mindset.
A mindset he has had to work on, cultivate and solidify with big performances on the big stage.
And a mindset that meant he wasn't one bit intimidated by wrestling-specialist Askarov's unblemished record.
"It shows he's done everything right, being 14 and 0.
"But he's also coming off four decisions in the UFC, he missed weight in his last fight and he's had a year off.
"My last fight was just three months ago, so I'm fresh off a high profile fight and I know that feeling. He's going to have to figure that out when I'm standing right in front of him.
"I don't really see any pressure or mystique with him having an undefeated record. In the fight game, especially MMA, eventually you're going to lose."
For now, though, Kara-France felt he was done with defeat.
After more than a dozen years grinding his way to this point, he was determined to celebrate his birthday with a bang.
"I have a task in front of me and that's all I'm focussed on. It's the biggest fight of my career, against the No 2 guy.
"I know it's leading to the title but I'm not thinking about that. I'm just going to go out there, have fun, back myself and show everyone why I'm the best in the world."
