Kai Kara-France is the latest Kiwi to earn a contract with the UFC.
UFC president Dana White revealed the news in a video message to Kara-France's gym, Auckland's City Kickboxing, on Thursday night (NZ time).
The video was played to members of the gym and celebrations broke out.
"What's up, Kai?" the UFC boss says in the clip. "Dana White here. Congratulations - you're in the UFC, brother."
He joins City Kickboxing teammates Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker and Shane Young, under head trainer Eugene Bareman.
Hamilton's Luke Jumeau is the other New Zealand-based fighter signed with the company.
Kara-France got a taste of the UFC when he competed in Season 24 of the Ultimate Fighter in 2016, where he made the quarter-finals.
France, who turned pro in 2010, and has fought throughout Asia and Australia, has nine knockouts and three submissions in 17 career wins.
Newshub.
