While Kai Kamaka never took his initial run with the UFC lightly, his resolve to return to his former fighting ground is now stronger than ever.
The seasoned fighter, with 22 bouts to his name, competed only four times in the UFC before his contract was not renewed. However, it wasn`t long before Bellator extended an offer. Kamaka spent the subsequent two years with Bellator, achieving a 4-1 record, with his single loss occurring via split decision.
Kamaka`s final appearance for Bellator coincided with rumors circulating about the promotion being up for sale. Barely a month after his victory over Henry Corrales, Bellator was officially acquired by the PFL, placing Kamaka in a new promotional environment once again.
Reflecting on this period, Kamaka shared: “I had the weird UFC stint, but then I`m doing well in Bellator, gaining momentum, climbing those rankings as the competition gets tougher. I`m really finding my footing in my athletic fighting capacity where I can handle higher competition, and then boom, I`m successful. Then I fight Corrales, but leading up to that fight, rumors were surfacing that Bellator would sell. They ended up selling shortly after, or maybe even at that event.”
He continued: “I transition into the PFL. The level of competition escalates again – Bubba Jenkins, Pedro Carvalho, Brendan Loughnane. I perform well enough to secure the backup spot for the PFL championship fight.”
Kamaka participated in the 2024 PFL featherweight season, finishing with a 2-1 record. His run ended with another close split decision loss to Loughnane in the semifinals.
Despite appreciating the offer to serve as the backup for the season finale, Kamaka ultimately decided against accepting the role.
Kamaka explained his reasoning: “I didn`t go to Saudi Arabia because we understand the backup situation in PFL isn`t ideal. You`re paid $10,000 to be a backup for a world title fight. It simply didn`t make much sense, particularly for my team.”
He elaborated: “Traveling to Saudi Arabia as a backup without any other fight opportunity meant we were sacrificing potential earnings. We declined because they weren`t offering any further incentive. An undercard fight would have made the trip worthwhile for all of us going to Saudi Arabia.”
After declining the PFL Finals backup position, Kamaka heard that the promotion was interested in bringing him back for the following year. However, the format was changing from a season and playoffs structure to a straightforward tournament. The champion`s prize money was also reduced from the previous $1 million to $500,000.
Interestingly, the decrease in prize money wasn`t the primary factor preventing Kamaka from returning to the PFL.
The main issue was the contract duration itself.
Kamaka revealed the details: “It was around Christmas Eve, and they sent out new contracts for the upcoming year. The standard term was a three-year contract. That`s quite a long commitment in MMA. My pay wouldn`t increase, and it only guaranteed six fights over those three years.”
He continued: “I thought, I`m just hitting my prime. My ultimate goal, like many fighters, is to return to the UFC, especially to make up for how my first time there went. I wasn`t sure I wanted to commit to that deal. It wasn`t life-changing money that would make me abandon my dreams. I wondered, `Can we negotiate? Can we shorten this term?`”
Kamaka mentioned that the PFL did offer a one-year, two-fight deal, but this offer excluded him from participating in the tournament structure.
While still evaluating his options, Kamaka became aware of a new startup promotion called Global Fight League (GFL). Reports indicated they were signing a large number of veteran fighters, many of whom had built their reputations in the UFC.
Numerous contracts were reportedly issued with substantial amounts of money promised to athletes. However, Kamaka was not oblivious to the possibility that the GFL might turn out to be an unrealistic venture, especially given the sheer volume of fighters being signed.
Despite his reservations, Kamaka decided to take a chance and ultimately signed with the GFL, doing so with a clear understanding that the promotion might never fully launch.
Kamaka explained his strategy at the time: “These guys are offering money. The plan was to fight here, earn, and pave a way back to the UFC. GFL could potentially offer those `regional level` fights against older, well-known opponents as I enter my prime. That seemed like a viable plan.”
Sadly, Kamaka`s concerns materialized when GFL canceled its two planned debut events in May, providing no definite information on whether they would be rescheduled. Many fighters who signed GFL contracts have since spoken out about the experience, with UFC veteran Alan Belcher describing the situation as a “scam.”
Based on his own situation, Kamaka doesn`t disagree. The GFL cancellations left him without a fight again, and the prolonged period of inactivity became increasingly problematic.
He eventually secured a bout on a Tuff-N-Uff card in Las Vegas. In his first competition in eight months, Kamaka delivered a second-round knockout victory over Joshua Weems.
That win, combined with the series of disruptions he`s faced since the Bellator sale, served as the strongest possible motivation, solidifying Kamaka`s belief that he needs to return to the UFC.
Kamaka emphasized his feelings: “That’s where my heart belongs. It’s why I relocated my family to Las Vegas. Getting that call to the UFC is the ultimate MMA moment. You don`t experience that feeling from any other promotion. You don`t get that `draft day` moment unless it`s the UFC.”
Frankly, Kamaka holds no ill will towards PFL, GFL, or anyone else. However, deep down, he always knew that returning to the UFC was his ultimate goal. The events of the past couple of years have only intensified this resolve.
Kamaka clarified: “I’m not here to criticize any promotion. Business is tough; you have to make it work. But it makes it hard for us [fighters] because you question what you’re actually striving for.”
He added: “My personal frustration stems from wanting to get back to the UFC, and I’m actively doing everything I can to make that happen. I’m competing against the best available opponents outside the UFC. In Bellator, I was fighting at the highest level accessible to me.”
From the moment he began training in MMA, Kamaka aspired to reach the UFC, and earning a contract there was a dream fulfilled.
Unfortunately, Kamaka`s initial UFC tenure lasted only four fights. Now, nearly four years later, with significantly more experience under his belt, he feels truly ready for another opportunity there.
Kamaka stated with certainty: “There`s absolutely no doubt about it. I always wanted to be back. Growing up, my attitude was `UFC or bust.` Whatever that meant – maybe fighting in LFA or on Bellator prelims – constantly pursuing `UFC or bust` simply pushed me to be the best version of myself. Now, with how the landscape outside is constantly changing, it truly feels like it`s UFC or bust.”
As much as he desires to return, Kamaka acknowledges that his opportunity might largely depend on timing and circumstance. Fighters often withdraw from events, requiring short-notice replacements – a situation not unlike how most of his initial UFC bouts came about.
Kamaka recalled his first UFC stint: “When I was 25, across my four fights in the UFC, I had only one proper training camp. A ‘camp’ meant receiving more than four days` notice, like for Tony Kelley. I got seven days` notice for Jonathan Pearce and two weeks` notice for Danny Chavez. My only full camp was for T.J. Brown. I didn`t truly have a stable period in the UFC; it was eighteen months defined by three short-notice fights.”
He concluded: “That same readiness for opportunities is still present, but now I’m much more seasoned to handle that type of situation. Naturally, my next chance will likely come on similar short notice; I`ve come to terms with that. However, I’ll step into the cage with significantly more experience and a much higher fight IQ than I had before. That’s the mindset now.”
