Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France will go to conflict within the UFC 317 co-main occasion for the flyweight title. However their matchup is in contrast to many title fights which have come earlier than it, as their rematch is sort of ten years within the making.
Each fighters have grow to be mainstays of the 125-pound division, with Pantoja serving because the champion since 2023. Kara-France has himself competed for interim gold, and can now have the possibility to put declare to an undisputed world title.
Forward of their conflict, let us take a look at the journey each fighters took from their first assembly in 2016 till now.
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Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France meet at The Final Fighter
The Final Fighter (TUF), the UFC’s actuality TV present which has helped develop a number of the sport’s finest expertise, was the stage for the primary conflict between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France. The pair took a part of season 24 of the present, with the contestants that includes flyweight champions from numerous MMA organizations world wide.
The UFC 317 co-main occasion duo confronted off within the quarter finals of the season, with the Brazilian securing a unanimous choice win. Footage of their battle was uploaded to X by the promotion’s official web page forward of their title battle.
Try the footage beneath
Pantoja misplaced his subsequent battle on TUF:24, however was signed by the UFC and made his debut in 2017 at UFC on Fox 23. ‘The Cannibal’ has not left the promotion since, and has amassed a document contained in the octagon of 13-3, together with seven-fight successful streak that he’s presently on. The flyweight champion has accrued six efficiency bonuses in that point.
The Kiwi was not instantly signed by the UFC following his defeat on TUF: 24. He had six fights throughout numerous organizations, successful 5 and shedding one earlier than he was signed by the UFC. His promotional document stands at 8-4, along with his most up-to-date bout coming in opposition to former title challenger Steve Erceg at UFC 305. Kara-France secured a efficiency bonus following his first-round knockout win over Erceg, marking his sixth efficiency bonus.
Data on the road for Alexandre Pantoja forward of Kai Kara-France rematch
Alexandre Pantoja is without doubt one of the finest flyweights of all-time, and forward of UFC 317 he has the chance to grow to be the only real record-holder of a number of achievements within the UFC’s 125-pound division.
Ought to he end Kai Kara-France on June 28, Pantoja will overtake MMA legend Demetrious Johnson and Deiveson Figueiredo for essentially the most wins through end within the division’s historical past, presently standing at 7. Ought to that end come through submission, the Brazilian may even overtake Johnson for essentially the most submission wins in flyweight historical past, presently at 5.
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Edited by Tejas Rathi