Founded in 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) stands as the most prominent organisation in mixed martial arts. Offering contracts to the very best, this organisation fulfils the dreams of many fights. The UFC has rapidly grown as the leading MMA organisation, boasting several weight classes and divisions filled with talented athletes. The UFC not only has male fighters, but also has divisions where female contenders can compete. Additionally, there’s a pound-for-pound list available for all fighters.
It makes sense that the UFC, an MMA organisation in Las Vegas, mostly features USA based fighters. Yet, this doesn’t reflect the whole picture, as many originate or represent places outside the US. One such region is Australasia and more specifically, New Zealand. It may be the opposite side of the globe, but it’s produced some stars who still fight in the UFC today.
Top Five Active UFC Fighters From New Zealand
Here are the top five active UFC fighters from New Zealand according to official rankings.
1. Israel Adesanya
Born in Nigeria, Israel Adesanya, aged 34, now lives and trains in Auckland, New Zealand. Known in the ring as “The Last Style Bender”, he is currently in the ninth position on the men’s pound-for-pound roster. He also boasts of being the leading contender in the middleweight division. The Stylebender’s track record showcases twenty-four victories against three losses and he also has the former title of unified middleweight world champion to his name!
2. Robert Whittaker
Robert Whittaker is a New Zealand native and a familiar face to Adesanya, with the two fighting previously for the middleweight world title. The thirty-three-year-old spent time competing at welterweight before moving to middleweight, a weight class that’s been his home for the last decade. The Reaper is a former interim champion at middleweight and a title challenger, with a record of 24-7.
3. Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France, nicknamed “Don’t Blink,” is a 33 year old fighter who hails from Auckland, New Zealand, where he also trains. Boasting a 24-11 record (including one no-contest), he’s currently positioned as fourth in the men’s flyweight rankings. The former bantamweight is still attempting to establish himself as the best in his weight class, but apart from a TKO defeat for the interim world title, he is yet to get a big shot at glory.
4. Dan Hooker
At 33, Dan Hooker is a UFC competitor hailing from Auckland. Despite battling in the men’s lightweight division, where he claims the tenth ranking, his latest win didn’t alter his standing at all. Unlike his peers, Hooker has yet to step up for a world or interim world title shot, despite an impressive fighting record showing 23 wins and 12 losses.
5. Janay Harding
Janay Harding is famed for her time in Bellator before moving to the UFC. The twenty-nine-year-old born in Christchurch, New Zealand, now competes at featherweight and will attempt to make her mark in the organisation. Her total MMA record is 14 fights, with six wins and eight losses, a record she will be aiming to improve in the future.
The UFC In New Zealand
The last UFC event that was held in New Zealand was UFC Fight Night 168, which took place at the Spark Arena in February 2020. Paul Felder and the New Zealander Dan Hooker were the main event in a lightweight match. As expected, Hooker had enthusiastic backing from the audience.
To the delight of the crowd, Hooker ended up winning this fight by split decision on the night. Over 10,000 people attended the event, many of whom would likely love to see UFC return to New Zealand in 2024.
The sport’s expansion, along with UFC’s soaring popularity in Australia – thanks, in part, to fighters such as Hooker and especially, Israel Adesanya – has sparked whispers. Talk is already building about a possible 2024 return to Auckland by UFC, a move that would thrill countless fans across the country.
Fighters who could appear on a UFC New Zealand card include Adesanya, Hooker, Robert Whittaker, Kai Kara-France and Janay Harding. But, as was the case in 2020, gyms in the country are already preparing their fighters should they get the call from the UFC anytime soon.
At UFC Fight Night 168, alongside victory for Hooker in the main event against Felder, Brad Riddell and Kara-France also saw success. Next time round, the country will be hoping not only to have more New Zealanders on the card but in the winner’s column too.
UFC FAQs
Where can I bet on the UFC and New Zealand UFC fighters?
BetVictor, a top sports betting site, operates in many global areas, including New Zealand. UFC bets, including ones on New Zealand UFC fighters, can be placed online or on a mobile device.
How can I bet on the UFC and New Zealand UFC fighters?
If you’re ready to bet on the UFC and New Zealand UFC fighters, you must first become a member at BetVictor by registering an account. Hit Sign Up to start the process. After registering, select A-Z Sports and then MMA/UFC from the menu to find UFC betting markets.
Bet on the UFC with BetVictor
You can bet on an array of markets at BetVictor, and this includes all mainstream sports such as football, golf, rugby and tennis.
However, combat sports have rapidly increased in popularity in the last decade, so you will find boxing odds accessible on the BetVictor platform. MMA has also become a mainstream sporting product thanks to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with UFC odds being prominently displayed on the site. In addition to pre-match markets, players can bet on the UFC live and follow the action as it happens in the Octagon.
The most popular UFC bets focus on who will win the fight, how they’ll win, and which round will be the final one. And there’s so much more to bet on too!
