After periods competing in other organizations, Kai Kamaka is more resolved than ever to make his way back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which he views as his primary arena.
Kamaka, a veteran of 22 professional fights, initially spent just four bouts under the UFC banner before his contract was not extended. However, he was quickly signed by Bellator, where he spent the following two years, compiling a 4-1 record with his single defeat coming via a split decision.
His final appearance for Bellator coincided with mounting speculation about the promotion being put up for sale. Barely a month after securing a win against Henry Corrales, Bellator`s acquisition by the PFL was confirmed, resulting in Kamaka transitioning to yet another organization.
Recalling this transitional phase, Kamaka described his unique journey through the promotions. He noted gaining momentum and facing increasing competition in Bellator when the sale occurred, only to find himself in the PFL shortly thereafter.
Upon joining the PFL, the level of competition escalated once more. Kamaka faced notable fighters like Bubba Jenkins, Pedro Carvalho, and Brendan Loughnane, performing well enough to secure a position as the backup fighter for the PFL championship bout.
Kamaka participated in the 2024 PFL featherweight season, achieving a 2-1 record. His tournament run concluded in the semifinals following another tightly contested split decision loss to Brendan Loughnane.
Despite being offered the backup role for the season`s final event, Kamaka ultimately chose to decline the opportunity.
Kamaka explained his decision regarding the PFL backup situation, stating it wasn`t a favorable financial arrangement. Serving as a backup for a world title fight offered only a $10,000 payment. Without the certainty of an undercard bout to justify the travel and effort for his team, the proposition of going to Saudi Arabia lacked sufficient incentive.
Following his decision not to serve as a backup for the PFL Finals card, Kamaka was informed of the promotion`s interest in bringing him back for the subsequent year. However, the format was shifting from a regular season and playoffs to a straightforward tournament, and the champion`s prize money was reduced to $500,000 from the previous $1 million offered in the season-long structure.
Yet, the reduction in prize money was not the primary factor deterring Kamaka from re-signing with the PFL.
The crucial issue was the terms of the contract itself.
Kamaka revealed that the new contracts offered were for a three-year duration, guaranteeing only six fights over that period, with no increase in his compensation. He felt this was a significant commitment for someone entering their prime, especially with his ultimate ambition being a return to the UFC to redeem his initial run. He didn`t view the offered terms as financially transformative enough to outweigh his dream and sought to negotiate a shorter contract length.
The PFL did present an alternative offer: a one-year deal for two fights, but this would exclude him from participating in the main tournament structure.
While evaluating his options, Kamaka heard about a new promotion, the Global Fight League (GFL), which was reportedly signing numerous veteran fighters, many with established names from the UFC.
Although GFL was offering substantial contracts and promising significant payouts, Kamaka remained grounded, recognizing that the sheer volume of fighter signings might indicate the promotion could be an unrealistic venture, or a “pipe dream.”
Nonetheless, Kamaka decided to take the chance and signed with GFL, doing so with a clear understanding of the potential that the promotion might never actually get off the ground.
He saw the opportunity at GFL as a way to earn income and compete against recognizable opponents, a plan designed to maintain his relevance and pave a path back to the UFC as he approached his peak fighting years.
Sadly, Kamaka`s apprehensions proved valid as GFL canceled its first two planned events in May, with no definitive confirmation of rescheduling. Many fighters who signed with GFL have publicly shared their negative experiences, with UFC veteran Alan Belcher famously describing the entire situation as a “scam.”
Based on his own involvement, Kamaka agrees with this assessment. The cancellation of the GFL cards again left him without a platform to compete, and the extended period of inactivity was becoming a significant concern.
He eventually secured a booking at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas, where he scored a second-round knockout victory over Joshua Weems. This marked his return to action after eight months away from fighting.
The win, coupled with the series of challenging experiences he`d navigated since the Bellator sale, provided powerful motivation, reinforcing Kamaka`s determination to return to the UFC.
Kamaka emphasized that the UFC is truly where his aspirations lie and why he relocated his family to Las Vegas. He described receiving the call to fight in the UFC as the definitive “MMA moment,” a feeling akin to a “draft day moment” that is unparalleled by other promotions.
He clarified that he holds no animosity towards PFL, GFL, or any other organization, acknowledging that running a promotion is difficult. However, he noted the challenges this instability creates for fighters focused on building their careers and chasing their goals.
Kamaka stated that his personal drive is solely focused on getting back to the UFC, and he is actively working towards this by competing against the highest possible level of competition available outside the organization, just as he did in Bellator.
From the outset of his MMA career, making it to the UFC was always his goal, and earning that contract initially felt like a dream realized.
Although his initial UFC run was short-lived (four fights), nearly four years have passed, and with considerably more experience now, he feels genuinely prepared to return.
Kamaka asserted there`s no doubt about his desire to return. He explained that growing up, his mentality was always “UFC or bust,” which pushed him to be the best version of himself. The constant changes and uncertainty in the business outside the UFC have only solidified this mindset, making it genuinely “UFC or bust” in the current landscape.
While keen to return, Kamaka understands that the opportunity may heavily rely on timing. Fighters frequently withdraw from events, creating openings for short-notice replacements, a scenario not unfamiliar to him.
Reflecting on his first four UFC bouts over a year and a half period, Kamaka noted that only one fight involved a standard training camp; the others were accepted on extremely short notice (four days, seven days, and two weeks). He felt he never truly experienced a full, typical period within the UFC.
He accepts that his next chance might also come on short notice. However, he stressed that he is now significantly more seasoned and possesses a much higher fight IQ than during his first stint, making him better equipped to handle such challenges today.
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely