Kai Kara France is the latest Kiwi mixed martial artist to earn a contract with the UFC.
UFC boss Dana White announced the news to France, a flyweight who trains at Auckland's City Kickboxing, via a video message on Thursday night.
France, who holds a 17-7 professional record, got a taste of the UFC when he competed in season 24 of the Ultimate Fighter in 2016 and has been tipped as the next Kiwi to likely land a contract with the promotion for a while.
He joins City Kickboxing teammates Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker and Shane Young, as well as Hamilton's Luke Jumeau, as the only New Zealand-based fighters signed with the company.
