UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja continued his hall of fame career when he attempted to defend his title for a fourth time, and this time against a former opponent in Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 on Saturday night.
Pantoja (29-5) no longer stuck in rematched with former champ Brandon Moreno has now defended the title against two different opponents. Both Steve Erceg and Kai Asakura fell short of defeating Pantoja, and now Kai Kara-France tried his hand at the champ.
Kara-France (25-11) already has a loss to Pantoja from their days on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24. He’s been close to a title shot for a couple years now, but a finish of Erceg at UFC 305 got him the shot at Pantoja.
Round 1 Pantoja came out on fire throwing bombs as Kara-France who then fired back just to get taken down and his back taken. Pantoja worked body shots from the back position, Kara-France tried like hell to break the body triangle.
Pantoja managed to minimize any attempts by Kara-France and took mount after attempting an arm triangle. The rest of the round was all Pantoja keeping the position, landing damage, and really forcing Kara-France to rethink some things.
Round 2 Pantoja didn’t come out on fire right away. After exchanging with Kara-France for a bit he blitzed him with strikes and took him down quick. Kara-France was able to get back up shortly after and get away, but his strikes became very much forced.
Kara-France didn’t really look super confident until it seemed like Pantoja took his foot off the gas for a bit.
Round 3 was what may have been the masterpiece Pantoja was looking for. He rushed Kara-France with strikes, took him down, took the back and took his neck. Four title defenses to, not only one of the best flyweights ever, but one of the best fighters ever.
Official Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Kara-France via R3 (RNC), 1:55
