Jonathan Kai Kamaka III (born January 5, 1995) is an American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

who competes in the

Featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, this ...

division of

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...

. He also competed for the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

(UFC).

Background

Kai started training martial arts at the age of six under his father Kai Kamaka Jr., who owns the 808 Fight Factory in Hawaii. Kai has a brother named Tristin Kamaka who is a former

University of Hawaii A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, th ...

Football receiver. Kai attended Pearl City High School where he wrestled and eventually won the HHSAA State Championship after claiming gold in OIA conference finals. For his wrestling accolades, he received a wrestling scholarship to study at

Midland University Midland University is a private Lutheran university in Fremont, Nebraska. It has an approximate enrollment of 1,600 students on campus. Known as Midland Lutheran College from 1962 to 2010, the college is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran ...

from where he graduated with a bachelor's degree.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In his MMA debut at KOTC Mana, he faced Anthony Reyes and went on to defeat him via unanimous decision. Kamaka submitted Nui Wheeler at Destiny Na Koa 6 via rear-naked choke in the first round. After losing his next two bouts against Andrew Natividad and Jeff Mesa, at KOTC Energetic Pursuit, he defeated Rick James via unanimous decision. Kamaka iii defeated Mauricio Diaz via unanimous decision at KOTC Highlight Reel.

Bellator MMA / LFA

Kamaka faced Shojin Miki at Bellator 213 on . He won the bout via unanimous decision. Kamaka faced Spencer Higa at Bellator 236 on . He won the bout via unanimous decision. After winning a unanimous decision against Michael Stack at LFA 87 on July 31, 2020, he got the call to make his UFC debut on extremely short notice.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kamaka made his UFC debut against

Tony Kelley Anthony Durian Kelley (born January 21, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2012, he most notably competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background As he entered his ...

UFC 252 ''UFC 252: Miocic vs. Cormier 3'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 15, 2020 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United Sta ...

on . He won the bout via unanimous decision. This bout earned him a '' Fight of the Night'' bonus award Kamaka faced Jonathan Pearce at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark on . He lost the bout via TKO in the second round. Kamaka faced

T.J. Brown Trenton Joseph "T.J." Brown (born May 22, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing as a Featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mixed martial arts career Early career Brown made his MMA debut in 2013 at Cage Com ...

at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka on . He lost the bout via a controversial split decision. 15 out of 15 media members scored the bout for Kamaka. Kamaka faced

Danny Chavez Danny Chavez (born March 14, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Featherweight division. A progessional since 2010, he most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Born in Queens, New York, W ...

, replacing injured

Choi Doo-ho Choi Doo-ho ( ko, 최두호; born April 10, 1991, often anglicized to Doo Ho Choi or Dooho Choi), is a South Korean mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in their Featherweight division. Background Ch ...

, on July 31, 2021 at

UFC on ESPN 28 ''UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 28'' and ''UFC Vegas 33'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 31, 2021 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, N ...

. Kamaka was deducted a point in round two for an illegal groin strike, as a result the fight was ruled a majority draw. 11 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Kamaka. The bout was the last of his contract and Kamaka decided to test free agency, parting with the UFC.

Return to Bellator MMA

On September 28, 2021, Kamaka signed a contract with Bellator to return to the promotion for the second time. Kamaka, replacing Keoni Diggs, faced John de Jesus on December 3, 2021 at

Bellator 272 Bellator 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on December 3, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Background Sergio Pettis made his first defence of the Bell ...

. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Kamaka faced Justin Gonzales on April 23, 2022 at

Bellator 279 ''Bellator 279: Cyborg vs. Blencowe 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA held on April 23, 2022, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Background The main event featured Bellator Women's Fea ...

. He lost the close bout via split decision. Kamaka was scheduled to face Akhmed Magomedov on July 22, 2022 at

Bellator 283 ''Bellator 283: Lima vs. Jackson'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on July 22, 2022 at Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel in Tacoma, Washington, United States. Background Visiting the state of Washington fo ...

. Kamaka however pulled out of the bout due to unknown reasons. Kamaka faced Kevin Boehm on December 9, 2022 at

Bellator 289 ''Bellator 289: Stots vs. Sabatello'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on December 9, 2022, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States. Background The semi-finals of the $1-mill ...

. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Personal life

Kai has four children with his wife and currently resides in Las Vegas. His cousin is

Ray Cooper III Raynald "Ray" Cooper III (born February 7, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he is the two-time Welterweight champion. A professional competi ...

who is PFL welterweight champion and also his cornerman. His uncle Ronal Jhun is a former UFC veteran. Kamaka has known UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby, since his childhood when Sean was a camera man for MMA promotions in Hawaii.

Championships and accomplishments

** Fight of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

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San Jacinto, California San Jacinto ( ; ; Spanish for " St. Hyacinth") is a city in Riverside County, California. It is located at the north end of the San Jacinto Valley, with Hemet to its south and Beaumont, California, to its north. The mountains associated with the ...

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References

External links

* * {{UFC, kai-kamaka, Kai Kamaka 1995 births Living people American male mixed martial artists Featherweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling American male sport wrestlers Amateur wrestlers People from Honolulu County, Hawaii

Background

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Bellator MMA / LFA

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Return to Bellator MMA

Personal life

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

See also

References

External links