Kai Kamaka
Fighting Hawaiian
USA
Finished by Luke Riley
Kamaka lost to Luke Riley via TKO (strikes) at 3:03 of Round 1 at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Kamaka is always going to go in there and go for broke, swinging for the bleachers with every shot. The strategy has worked plenty of times in his career, but it didn't this evening. Kai started off hot, damaging Riley with a handful of damaging low kicks, but he was eventually dropped and busted open by a right hand. Riley kept on the pressure and was eventually able to get Kamaka out of there, although the stoppage of referee Kerry Hatley was questionable, especially when you take into account the fact Kai was able to work his way back to his feet and appeared to be intelligently defending himself. Kamaka returned to the UFC in April for a second stint with the company, defeating Dakota Hope via split decision. The 31-year-old probably has less runway than most considering he has already been cut once already.
Kamaka is always going to go in there and go for broke, swinging for the bleachers with every shot. The strategy has worked plenty of times in his career, but it didn't this evening. Kai started off hot, damaging Riley with a handful of damaging low kicks, but he was eventually dropped and busted open by a right hand. Riley kept on the pressure and was eventually able to get Kamaka out of there, although the stoppage of referee Kerry Hatley was questionable, especially when you take into account the fact Kai was able to work his way back to his feet and appeared to be intelligently defending himself. Kamaka returned to the UFC in April for a second stint with the company, defeating Dakota Hope via split decision. The 31-year-old probably has less runway than most considering he has already been cut once already.
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Tabbed to face Luke Riley
Kamaka will face Luke Riley in a featherweight bout at UFC 329 on July 11, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Kamaka last fought on April 4, defeating Dakota Hope via split decision in Las Vegas. Kamaka had been released from his contract in 2021, but he found a way to get back on track in the promotion and debuted with a win. Another victory here would solidify his position in the featherweight division.
Kamaka last fought on April 4, defeating Dakota Hope via split decision in Las Vegas. Kamaka had been released from his contract in 2021, but he found a way to get back on track in the promotion and debuted with a win. Another victory here would solidify his position in the featherweight division.
Begins second UFC stint with win
Kamaka defeated Dakota Hope via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Kamaka was released from the UFC back in August 2021 following a four-fight stint in which he went 1-2-1. He had success in both Bellator and PFL after leaving and was re-signed earlier this week to return to the company and face Hope here. Both men were remarkably effective considering they only found out they would be competing a handful of days ago. Kamaka was able to survive an early flurry from Hope and slowly regain the momentum over the course of the final two rounds. Truth be told, neither man was able to separate from the other during the course of the fight and the decision could have gone either way. Kai is by no means a title challenger or anything like that, but he's a true professional and makes for a quality depth addition to the roster.
Kamaka was released from the UFC back in August 2021 following a four-fight stint in which he went 1-2-1. He had success in both Bellator and PFL after leaving and was re-signed earlier this week to return to the company and face Hope here. Both men were remarkably effective considering they only found out they would be competing a handful of days ago. Kamaka was able to survive an early flurry from Hope and slowly regain the momentum over the course of the final two rounds. Truth be told, neither man was able to separate from the other during the course of the fight and the decision could have gone either way. Kai is by no means a title challenger or anything like that, but he's a true professional and makes for a quality depth addition to the roster.
Parts ways with UFC
Kamaka has been released by the UFC, MMA Island reports.
ANALYSIS
Kamaka was coming off a majority draw to Danny Chavez a couple weeks ago. That pushed his record to 1-2-1 during his time with the UFC. He had a couple controversial decisions with the promotion, but now will be a free agent at 26 years old.
Kamaka was coming off a majority draw to Danny Chavez a couple weeks ago. That pushed his record to 1-2-1 during his time with the UFC. He had a couple controversial decisions with the promotion, but now will be a free agent at 26 years old.
Docked point leads to draw
Kamaka and Danny Chavez fought to a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28) at UFC on ESPN 28 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Chavez was game, but Kamaka was the better man in this one. He should have walked out of the UFC Apex with a win on the strength of a strong first round and reasonable third frame, but Kamaka was (correctly) docked a point by referee Herb Dean for repeated low blows in Round 2 and instead had to settle for the draw. Now winless in his last three bouts (0-2-1), Kamaka's ceiling is severely limited by the lack of power in his hands. The 26-year-old doesn't have a single knockout win in his pro career and it's unreasonable to expect a turn in fortunes due to that fact.
Chavez was game, but Kamaka was the better man in this one. He should have walked out of the UFC Apex with a win on the strength of a strong first round and reasonable third frame, but Kamaka was (correctly) docked a point by referee Herb Dean for repeated low blows in Round 2 and instead had to settle for the draw. Now winless in his last three bouts (0-2-1), Kamaka's ceiling is severely limited by the lack of power in his hands. The 26-year-old doesn't have a single knockout win in his pro career and it's unreasonable to expect a turn in fortunes due to that fact.
Steps in on short notice
Kamaka will take on Danny Chavez in a featherweight bout at the UFC event July 31, Marcel Dorff of MMADNA reports.
ANALYSIS
Kamaka will be stepping in for D.H. Choi, who was forced to withdraw from the original booking. Kamaka will be looking to recover after a split decision loss to T.J. Brown back on May 1. Prior to that he also loss to Jonathan Pearce in November.
Kamaka will be stepping in for D.H. Choi, who was forced to withdraw from the original booking. Kamaka will be looking to recover after a split decision loss to T.J. Brown back on May 1. Prior to that he also loss to Jonathan Pearce in November.