Alexandre Pantoja defeats Kai Kara-France at UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC News
Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title (up to 56,7kg) for the fourth time! The Brazilian defeated challenger Kai Kara-France in the co-main event of UFC 317 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (USA). The method used? His specialty: another rear-naked choke applied by the most dominant fighter in the division since Demetrious Johnson.
See too
Pantoja was the favorite in the fight and lived up to expectations. Dominating the entire bout, the Brazilian adds another title defense to his record, bringing his total to 30 wins with only five losses. Having been challenged by Joshua Van from their previous fight, Alexandre accepted the rematch with the Burmese fighter, and a face-off took place right there in the octagon.
Kai Kara-France suffers his 12th defeat in his career. The New Zealander has 25 wins and one no contest. He has won only one of his last four fights.
Calm, safety and Jiu Jitsu: the octagon belongs to Pantoja
The first round started aggressively. Pantoja tried a kick, connected and went for it. Kara-France responded. The Brazilian combined good blows and took him to the fence. In the exchange, the champion entered a double leg and managed to take the fight to the ground in a few seconds. He gained the back and, in the first minute, the challenger was already in trouble. Alexandre gained the back and clamped. With great technique and calm, he remained 'backpacked'. In the New Zealander's attempt to defend himself, he gave his arm and neck to the Rio native to try the katagatame, without success. The fight continued on the ground. On top, the Brazilian managed to land shoulder strikes on his opponent's face. With ten seconds left, Pantoja managed to get into position to try a rear naked choke, but the challenger defended himself.
The second round also began with Alexandre landing a kick. The fight was standing up and Pantoja landed several blows. In the second minute, he patrolled his opponent, went forward, landed good punches and kicks, and went for a takedown again. Once again, the champion won the back. Kara-France managed to get up. They continued to grapple and Kai defended, taking the fight to the center of the octagon. The champion also had the advantage in the standing fight. The New Zealander tried to take down the champion, who defended himself. Alexandre landed a knee and a straight punch. Kai landed punches and received another kick at the end.
The third round began with a lot of strong and open exchanges. They clinched. Pantoja won the back. They went to the ground. The Rio native climbed and backpacked. Kai responded with punches to the back in order to hit his opponent's face. Alexandre applied his specialty: the rear naked choke secured the championship once again for the Brazilian.
Joshua Van wins 'war' against Brandon Royval and asks for title fight
Joshua Van after his victory at UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC News
Just three weeks after defeating Bruno Bulldoguinho, Joshua Van returned to the octagon and defeated the number 1 ranked flyweight (up to 56,7kg) at UFC 317. After three rounds, the Burmese fighter secured the victory over Brandon Royval by unanimous decision. After the fight, speaking to the UFC microphone, Joshua stated that he wanted to face the winner of the next fight, which was dominated by Alexandre Pantoja.
The first round of the fight unfolded with a lot of striking. Joshua Van showed superiority by connecting more punches and applying good combinations. Joshua's stomps were strong. Royval responded with many significant punches. The American suffered a knockdown in this round. The second round continued intensely, with the fight unfolding standing up. A lot of striking was witnessed. Van's hands landed powerfully. The third round was a war. Strong and intense boxing set the tone. Some kicks were also used. Royval landed good jabs at the end. Van responded well, applying another knockdown that seemed like a knockout, but there wasn't enough time and Brandon Royval ended up on the ground.
Check out all the results from UFC 317
MAIN CARD
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Ilia Topuria defeated Charles of the Bronx by knockout at 2min and 27sec of the first round
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Alexandre pantoja defeated Kai Kara-France by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:55 of the third round – title fight
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joshua Van defeated Brandon Royval by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Beneil Dariush defeated Renato Moicano by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Payton Talbott defeated Felipe Lima by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Gregory Robocop defeated Jack Hermansson by knockout 4 minutes and 20 seconds into the first round.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Jose Delgado defeated Hyder Amil by knockout at 1 minute and 26 seconds of the first round.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Tracy Cortez defeated Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Terrance McKinney defeated Viacheslav Borshchev by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 55 seconds of the first round.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jacobe Smith defeated Niko Price by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03 of the second round.
Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Jonathan Diniz defeated Alvin Hines by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Read More about: Alexandre pantoja, Kai Kara France, UFC 317
You need login To comment.