Kiwi UFC star Kai Kara-France channels inner Mark Hunt in comeback KO victory

Kiwi Kai Kara-France channeled his inner Mark Hunt in a huge comeback victory over Rogerio Bontorin at UFC 259.

The New Zealand fighter was in deep trouble in the opening round and was in real danger of being submitted, before a stunning combination in the last 10 seconds led to a sensational first-round stoppage.

The Brazilian fighter ate a quick uppercut, copped a strong right-hand and then face-planted into the mat as Kara-France did his best Mark Hunt impression and walked off.

There was some confusion as to whether referee Herb Dean had stopped the fight, so he returned for a follow-up shot before Dean stepped in to confirm the contest was over.

That didn't sit too well with the Brazilian, who furiously threw his mouthpiece across the ring at Kara-France, who was too busy celebrating.

"I was caught early, weathered the storm, got back up and turned into my guard," Kara-France said.

"I just had to stay in it. I train my jiu-jitsu just as much. Just because it's City Kick Boxing, doesn't mean we don't train wrestling and jiu-jitsu. We put in the work and I just had to stay calm.

"I've been in the sport for so many years now, and once I felt that he couldn't get the finish, it gave me confidence.

"I turned it around, hit him once with a nice right hook and I felt it land. Next time I sat down on it a little bit more and it was a Mark Hunt walkaway."

Bontorin had all the energy early on and will be ruing the fact he couldn't turn his early dominance into a win.

Kara-France was on the back-foot 90 seconds into the bout, with Bontorin looking for a rear-naked choke against the cage wall.

The Brazilian locked in a body triangle and it looked like a submission wasn't far away, which would have made it Kara-France's second loss in a row.

However, the Kiwi got back to his feet with 90 seconds left in the round and fought off another attack from Bontorin to score a huge comeback knockout in the closing stages.