UFC title challenger Kai Kara-France has already set his sights on a potential opponent for his first title defence, should he defeat reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 317.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, the 32-year-old revealed his plan to win the belt on Saturday and then schedule a clash with long-time rival Manel Kape.

MORE: ‘If he tries that s**t again’: Kai Kara-France fires warning shot at Manel Kape

"I know what the UFC wants to do. They want me to win this belt and then set that fight up [with] me and Manel because everyone knows that we don’t like each other," he said.

"This guy’s an idiot. He’s a clown. He’s just really insecure. That’s what I see."

The two have had several run-ins and verbal exchanges since their originally scheduled bout at UFC 293 fizzled out due to Kara-France receiving a head knock in training camp.

This time around, it was Kape who withdrew from his matchup with number one ranked Brandon Royval, which was set to take place earlier on the International Fight Week card.

"This is typical Manel Kape behavior," said Kara-France.

"He just can’t help himself. He’s always saying something on Twitter, or online, and a few days later, he pulls out of a fight.

"I don’t know, it’s just his energy, it’s just off.

"He feels like he has this entitlement, like it’s his show and it’s his world and we’re all just living in it.

"But a reality check is you’ve been canceled 11 times in the UFC. That’s unheard of. Maybe he needs to go get a reset, because, obviously, things aren’t working out."

Despite their disdain for one another, Kape has tipped the Kiwi to give Pantoja stylistic trouble when they face off.

"I’m going to be honest, he has the style. He’s a little bit of a b**ch but he has the style," said Kape.

Regardless of how Saturday's fight plays out, a future showdown between Kara-France and Kape is a blockbuster fight, however the occasion will be even greater with a world title on the line.