UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, already considered one of the best in the sport, showcased his continued improvement at UFC 317 held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. The 35-year-old Brazilian defended his title for the fourth time by dominating Kaikara France on the ground and securing a submission win in the third round via a naked choke.
This victory solidified Pantoja’s status in UFC flyweight history, as he now holds the records for most wins (14), finishes (8), and submissions (6) in the division. Continuing his aggressive style, Pantoja quickly advanced through Kara-France at the start of Round 3, securing his 12th career submission and ninth by a rear-naked choke.
Pantoja commented that his skills are constantly evolving, thanks to training with one of the best teams in the world. He has also improved his conditioning and offensive confidence, showing strategic pacing while still delivering powerful strikes when needed.
Kara-France, a 32-year-old from New Zealand, earned the title shot after a knockout win over former challenger Steve Erceg in August but was unable to overcome Pantoja’s dominance. Pantoja is now set to face 23-year-old rising star Joshua Van, who stepped in on short notice after defeating Bruno Silva at UFC 316 just weeks earlier.
Pantoja acknowledged Van’s deserving opportunity for a title shot, and Van himself expressed eagerness to face the champion, highlighting that this match-up is fresh and uncharted territory.
Fan Take: Alexandre Pantoja’s ongoing dominance and record-breaking performances are thrilling for fight fans, demonstrating that skill and evolution in the sport can persist well into an athlete’s 30s. His upcoming bout with Joshua Van promises to bring fresh excitement and potential shifts in the competitive landscape of the flyweight division, keeping the UFC thrilling and unpredictable.
