UFC: Kai Kara-France says UFC handled Conor McGregor v Khabib Nurmagomedov fallout well; eyes lights-out debut at Fight Night Adelaide

UFC fighter Kai Kara-France well on track in preparing for his UFC debut in December. Photo / Doug Sherring

Khabib Nurmagomedov won't be stripped of his UFC lightweight title, but will likely be handed a fine and suspension for attacking Conor McGregor's team at UFC 229 at the weekend.

The Russian forced McGregor to tap out in the fourth round of their title fight, before launching himself over the octagon to take on members of the Irishman's team.

It tarnished what was otherwise a great event, but Kiwi UFC flyweight Kai Kara-France said the company dealt with the situation well.

"It's a shame that it happened, but these things do happen," Kara-France said. "It's such an emotional sport that when you start adding different situations to the actual fight, people are going to get a bit more emotional than usual, and everyone was watching so it's a shame that it happened but I think they've dealt with it the right way and we'll move forward."

Khabib Nurmagomedov was escorted out of the arena after attacking Conor McGregor's team outside the octagon. Photo / Getty Images

The 25-year-old said he hoped the aftermath of the bout didn't stop people from watching the sport, which his debut bout set on the card for UFC fight night Adelaide on December 2.

Kara-France will meet Australian Ashkan Mokhtarian for his debut, and will be among a host of Australian and New Zealand talent on the card including Mark Hunt.

"I did have a nickname for a while – the flyweight Mark Hunt – so it'll be an honour to be on the same card as him," Kara-France said.

Now with the nickname 'Don't Blink' – a reference to his quick and powerful striking ability – Kara-France was weeks into fight camp. Walking around somewhere near the 64kg mark, the 25-year-old said he was hoping to drop his weight to 61kg for fight week, then further down to the flyweight limit of 57kg for the weigh-in.

"People don't really see that aspect of the sport. They just see weighing in, but there's a lot that goes into it. I'm feeling good, my energy is still there and my training's still quality which is what we want.

"The main thing is you've just got to be consistent. The weight doesn't come down if you cheat your diet."

Kara-France will be looking to continue the stellar run of City Kickboxing athletes in the UFC this year. So far, the gym was 6-0 with Israel Adesanya claiming three wins, Dan Hooker earning two and Shane Young getting his first with the promotion. Adesanya will fight again before Kara-France debuts - with the unbeaten middleweight fighting at UFC 230 in early November.

With an impressive gym record on the line and a group of about 30 family and friends making to trip to Adelaide - with tickets on sale from Friday - Kara-France said he was embracing the pressure.

"Everything's going to plan, which I guess is good. Weight's coming down, feeling good, feeling sharp and starting to game-plan a lot more specifically for Ashkan. I feel like I couldn't do it at any place other than City Kickboxing.

"For me, I feel like I'll be able to perform under the pressure and put him away."