Latest news with #Kara-France
Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Kiwi taps out in title challenge
Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France (front) wrestle during their title fight, in Las Vegas, yesterday. PHOTOS: IMAGN IMAGES VIA REUTERS New Zealand's UFC star Kai Kara-France came up short in his flyweight division title challenge yesterday. Kara-France was submitted in a dominant display from Brazilian Alexandre Pantoja, as the New Zealander tapped out in the third round of the UFC 317 co-main event in Las Vegas. After a dominant first two rounds from Pantoja, the Brazilian dragged Kara-France to the mat early in the third round. He used a rear naked choke to eventually force Kara-France to tap out, defending his title for the fourth-consecutive time. It was Kara-France's second UFC title challenge, having also fallen short against Brandon Moreno in a third-round TKO loss for the interim belt in 2022. In the other main bout Ilia Topuria made good on his promise to finish Charles Oliveira in the first two or three rounds. He knocked out the future UFC hall-of-famer with an explosive combo 2min 27sec into the fight, claiming the vacant UFC lightweight crown. Topuria's win makes him the first undefeated two-division champion in UFC history and the 10th overall. The 28-year-old, who fights under Georgian and Spanish nationalities, ranks third on UFC's pound-for-pound list. Twelfth-ranked lightweight Joshua Van and top contender Brandon Royval engaged in a captivating stand-up brawl that has a legitimate chance at going down as the fight of the year. The performance marked Van's second win in three weeks, after he beat Bruno Gustavo Da Silva at UFC 316 on June 7. Van knocked Royval down in the closing seconds of the fight, before the final bell rang to the loudest crowd pop of the evening. Van won by unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three judges' scorecards. — APL/Reuters
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 317 results: Alexandre Pantoja taps Kai Kara-France in dominant title defense
Alexandre Pantoja is still on top of the UFC's flyweight division after turning in another dominant title defense. In the co-feature of UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pantoja (30-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) put his title on the line against an opponent he faced on Season 24 of "The Ultimate Fighter," Kai Kara-France. The fight was one-way traffic throughout for the champion, ultimately finding a rear-naked choke submission of Kara-France (25-12 MMA, 8-5 UFC) at 1:55 of Round 3. Pantoja wasted little time letting Kara-France know he was in for a hard fight. After touching gloves, Pantoja rapidly applied pressure with strikes, leading straight to a takedown, and ending up on Kara-France's back with a tight body triangle. Pantoja calmly worked through submission attempts while adding a few hard strikes as the time ticked away on the dominant opening round. Early in Round 2, Pantoja allowed the fight to progress on the feet for a couple of minutes. He won those striking exchanges before blitzing with a combination into a takedown. Kara-France worked his way up fairly quickly, but didn't gain momentum on the feet as Pantoja continued to land cleaner strikes. Pantoja kept the pressure high by getting Kara-France to the ground early in Round 3. He once again found the back with plenty of time to work. This time, Pantoja went harder for the submission. He found the rear-naked choke opening and clamped down until the tap came. After the fight, Joshua Van was invited into the octagon to face off with Pantoja, as he was announced as the next title challenger after defeating former title challenger Brandon Royval in a Fight of the Year candidate in the bout prior. "He's a humble guy. He deserves to fight for the title next," Pantoja told Joe Rogan. With the win, Pantoja picks up his fourth title defense as he extends his winning streak to eight. Half of the fights he's won during this stretch have come by way of a rear-naked choke. Kara-France fails to capture UFC gold again. He fought for the vacant interim title against Brandon Moreno at UFC 277, but was also finished in the third round. Since that fight, he went 1-1, dropping a split decision to Amir Albazi, but rebounding with a first-round finish of Steve Erceg to earn another shot. Up-to-the-minute UFC 317 results
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 317 video: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France intense at final faceoff
LAS VEGAS – Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France had a final staredown at UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of Saturday's flyweight title showdown. Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will put his 125-pound belt on the line once again in hopes of a fourth consecutive define when he takes on Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the co-main event of the International Fight Week card at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). The previous encounter between the pair came in an exhibition bout on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series in 2016, with Pantoja claiming a unanimous decision. The circumstances this time are far different, however, and each appears keen to take home the gold. A post shared by MMA Junkie (@mmajunkie) Check out the video above to see the Pantoja vs. Kara-France faceoff from UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France prediction, pick: Can champ keep rolling at UFC 317?
Flyweight champ Pantoja goes after fourth straight title defense in unofficial rematch with Kara-France MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC 317 co-main event between flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France. Alexandre Pantoja UFC 317 preview Staple info: Supplemental info: Kai Kara-France UFC 317 preview Staple info: Supplemental info: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France point of interest: Striking the second time around The co-main event in Las Vegas is a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France. Although this is yet another rematch courtesy of the UFC matchmakers and their fetish of force-feeding us rematches at seemingly any opportunity, Pantoja and Kara-France's first encounter is nearly a decade old as each fighter has evolved since. As his nickname 'The Cannibal' would suggest, Pantoja made his name as an offensive marauder who isn't afraid to shed blood in order to feed himself. An inherent pressure fighter, Pantoja is typically at his best when coming forward and looking to corrall opposition toward the cage. Although Pantoja's technique and defense can sometimes leave much to be desired, the Brazilian bruiser can flow through offensive phases like second nature and counters well in combination. In fact, Pantoja has quietly developed his counter-striking savvy in his latter years, which, in turn, gives him both more breathing room and options to operate from on the feet. Demonstrating excellent instincts in the clinch, Pantoja has a good feel for body knees and strikes off the break. However, despite owning one of the most proven chins in MMA, Pantoja will need to respect the power that's coming his way. Enter Kara-France. Initially starting his martial arts journey in the world of jiu-jitsu, Kara-France has steadily molded himself into a savvy striker. The New Zealand native always possessed his vaunted speed and power, but we've really seen Kara-France refine his game under the care of Eugene Bareman and the City Kickboxing crew. Now, utilizing much more educated footwork and fakes, it is not uncommon to see Kara-France either feint his opposition's guard out of place when coming forward or walking them into kill shots when going backward. The 32-year-old talent also does a fantastic job of variating his jabs, smartly switching up his speeds and targets in order to set up hard right hands. Nevertheless, I'll still be curious to see if Kara-France shelves some of his leg kicks given the potential counters and takedowns coming his way. Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France breakdown: Potential grappling threats Considering where the biggest on-paper disparity is in this fight, no one should be shocked if the sitting champion tries to take this party to the floor. Despite not officially working on his wrestling until teaming up with Henry Cejudo post-'TUF,' Pantoja has always been a dangerous threat from the bodylock and has since further sharpened his takedown shots since moving shop to American Top Team in South Florida. Parlaying off of his previously mentioned clinch striking, Pantoja is quick to lock his hands around his opposition and shuck them off to a side whenever possible, smartly changing the angles and approaches to his attacks. Displaying good cage awareness, Pantoja wastes little time when it comes to wedging himself in between the fence and the back of his opposition. And once Pantoja is able to get the slightest bite on a position, the Shooto Brazil vet will jump at the opportunity to shift the fight's dynamic. In victory or defeat, seldom will you see anyone get to Pantoja's back for prolonged periods or put him in precarious submission threats. In fact, the 18-year pro has a knack for turning negative positions around through his superb legwork and scrambling ability. Pantoja, who has incredible transitional instincts and chair sits, will have an edge when it comes to finding the back. And if Pantoja ends up on top, the American Top Team rep has some fantastic ground striking that's not talked about enough. Like a snake striking its prey on the nature channel, Pantoja possesses incredible accuracy and pop to the punches that slightly arc around his opponent's guard. That said, I'll be curious to see if Pantoja still has the same trouble he experienced when trying to take Kara-France down in their first fight. Although Kara-France doesn't come from a part of the world that is known for its wrestling, the New Zealander keeps some solid wrestling skills in his back pocket. Offensively, Kara-France has a quick level-changing double that he can go to if he needs to ground his opponent. The 15-year pro isn't completely impervious from a defensive standpoint, but his scrambling more than makes up the difference for any perceived shortcomings. The potential problem, however, is that Kara-France has a propensity to tripod and allow for back exposure when looking to stand – something that could prove fatal against a fantastic back-taker like Pantoja. Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France odds The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Brazilian champion, listing Pantoja -265 and Kara-France +200 via FanDuel. Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France prediction, pick Even though I don't want to disrespect Kara-France or his chances (as this is a fistfight), you could make an argument that this betting line would be a bit wider if weren't for MMA gamblers and their typical trend of growing tumescent over the possibility of fading an aging fighter. Aside from being 3-0 in career rematches opposite to Kara-France's 1-2 standing, Pantoja is one of the most durable competitors in the entire sport – as well as one of my top 10 rear-naked choke artists in UFC history – making him a nightmare matchup for Kara-France on paper. If Kara-France wins, I'll be one of the first to give him his props, but if this is yet another successful title defense and tally in the champion's already-perfect rematch record, then I hope that the Gen Pop and media alike can finally start giving Pantoja his long overdue love as one of the best pound-for-pound talents and genuine good dudes in this volatile space. The official pick is for Pantoja to shove the 35-year-old title defense stat up the asses of MMA bettors en route to locking up a submission win by Round 3. Prediction: Pantoja inside the distance Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France start time, how to watch As the co-main event, Pantoja and Kara-France are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 11:45 p.m. ET. The fight airs on pay-per-view via ESPN+.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 317 weigh-in video: Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Kara-France hit marks for title bout
Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France have made weight for their #UFC317 flyweight title fight. Champ and challenger were both 125. LAS VEGAS – The first of two title fights that will unfold at UFC 317 is official after Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France made weight Friday. Reigning champion Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will go for his fourth defense when he meets Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the co-headliner of Saturday's card at T-mobile Arena (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Both men did their jobs on the scale at the official weigh-ins. Pantoja hit 125 pounds on the nose, and Kara-France registered the same for his first crack at undisputed gold. The flyweights came to the scale as part of the first four fighters at the official session – along with their lightweight title fight compatriots in the main event. Check out the video below to see the Pantoja vs. Kara-France UFC 317 official weigh-in highlights.
