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Paul "The Haitian Sensation" Karns was born in Carrefour, Haiti, one of eighteen

children raised by an Ohio missionary who arrived in the early 1970s and never left.

On Saturday he fights Kendell Ward for the 125 lb bare-knuckle Muay Thai title — a

bout he says would make him the first Haitian, and the first fighter out of Kansas,

to compete for one.

He sat down with us before the biggest night of his career.

In this episode:

• Growing up in Carrefour as one of eighteen

• Starting judo at fifteen — and switching to karate after losing a friendly

challenge match to a friend

• Why he'd rather strike than grapple

• Finding Lopez Boxing in Dodge City, and the coach who made it click

• Aaron Pryor, Sean Strickland, and what he took from each

• Fighting for legacy instead of money

• What he expects when the gloves come off Saturday

"I'm bringing that belt back to Dodge City."

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PAUL KARNS

Flyweight (125 lbs) · Dodge City, Kansas

Lopez Boxing Gym — Miguel Lopez

Instagram: @paulkarns

CRASH COMBAT 8

Kendell Ward vs. Paul Karns — 125 lb Bare-Knuckle Muay Thai Title

Saturday, September 5, 2026

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MMA Futures — See Tomorrow's Stars Today.

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