Report - Cody Garbrandt Books UFC Flyweight Debut, Meets Kai Kara-France On December 11th.

Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger - Zuffa LLC

One-time UFC bantamweight kingpin, Cody Garbrandt has booked his move to the organization's flyweight ranks, in the form of a December 11th. UFC Fight Night outing against City Kickboxing striker, Kai Kara-France. A location or venue has yet to be confirmed by the promotion.

Last featuring at his prior bantamweight stomping grounds back in May, former titleholder, Garbrandt dropped a rather one-sided unanimous judging loss to the streaking, Rob Font in the headlining bout of a UFC Vegas 27 showcase. The loss came as the fourth in Garbrandt's last five Octagon appearances.

Rebounding from a submission loss to Brandon Royval at UFC 259 in March of this year, Kiwi striker, Kara-France stopped Rogerio Bontorin with just five seconds remaining in the opening round of their first round clash -- with a rather peculiar knockout finish. Garbrandt's divisional bow against Kara-France was first reported by ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto. 

Garbrandt was slated to headline UFC 255 last November against then-flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo in a flyweight title fight, however, lingering health issues and a tear in his bicep vein ruled him from proceedings.

In his most recent win, Mark Henry mover, Garbrandt launched a massive knockout win over division mainstay, Raphael Assuncao at UFC 250 in June of last year. With just a single second remaining in the second frame, the Ohio native reached down to the canvas, before returning with a cleaning right hook, dropping the Brazilian instantly.

The victory snapped a three-fight knockout slide for the former champion, who had faltered against UFC 265 co-headliner, Pedro Munhoz in the opening round, as well as a pair of knockout defeats to recent returner, former Team Alpha MMA training partner, T.J. Dillashaw. 

In his run to a title-winning performance against Dominick Cruz, Garbrandt had stopped Takeya Mizugaki, Thomas Almeida, Augusto Mendes, and Marcus Brimage with strikes. 

City Kickboxing puncher, Kara-France approaches the Octagon for his eighth appearance since his promotional bow back in December of 2018.

Attempting to earn a potential title rematch against recently-minted flyweight gold holder, Brandon Moreno, Kara-France added Bontorin to an organizational résumé which includes victories against the likes of Tyson Nam, Mark De La Rosa, and Raulian Paiva.