The Kiwis are taking over Fight Island.
On Sunday, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya puts his title on the line against unbeaten challenger Paulo Costa in the main event of UFC 253. But Adesanya won't be the only New Zealander to step inside the octagon, with Kai Kara-France, Brad Riddell and Shane Young – all part of Auckland's City Kickboxing stable – also on the card.
No 7-ranked flyweight Kara-France will take on No 9-ranked Brandon Royval in his first appearance on the main card of a pay-per-view (meaning his fight goes behind the paywall). Rising lightweight contender Brad Riddell will look to add another loss to the impressive 21-2 record of Brazil's Alex da Silva in the main fight of the preliminary card, while featherweight Shane Young makes his first appearance since last February, welcoming the UFC's first Slovakian fighter Ludovit Klein to the promotion earlier on the prelims.
(Please scroll down the frame below at 25% then click the play button to watch the game.)