Alexandre pantoja wins Kai Kara France No. UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC News
Alexandre pantoja defends the flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg) for the fourth time! The Brazilian defeated the challenger Kai Kara France in the co-main event of UFC 317, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (USA). The method used? The house specialty: another rear naked choke applied by the most dominant fighter in the category since Demetrious Johnson.
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Pantoja was the favorite in the duel and confirmed his preference. The best in the entire match, the Brazilian adds another defense to his list and adds 30 victories to his record, with only five defeats. Having been challenged by Joshua Van, from the previous fight, Alexandre accepted the duel with the Burmese and a face-off took place in the octagon.
Kai Kara France records the 12th defeat on his record. The New Zealander has 25 wins and one 'no contest'. The fighter 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 victory in UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC News
Just three weeks after winning Bruno Bulldoguinho, Joshua Van returned to the octagon and beat the number 1 ranked flyweight (up to 56,7kg) in UFC 317. After three rounds, the Burmese took victory over Brandon royval by unanimous decision of the judges. After the duel, on the UFC microphone, Joshua said he wanted to face the winner of the next fight, dominated by Alexandre pantoja.
The first round of the duel unfolded with a lot of exchanges. Joshua Van showed superiority by connecting more blows and applying good combinations. Joshua's foot strikes were strong. Royval responded with many significant punches. The American suffered a knockdown in this round. The second round continued intensely, with the duel unfolding on the feet. There was a lot of exchange. Van's hand came down hard. The third round was a war. Strong and intense boxing set the tone. Some kicks were also weapons. Royval landed good jabs at the end. Van responded well, applying another knockdown that announced a knockout, but there was no time and Brandon royval ended up on the floor.
Check out all the results from UFC 317
MAIN CARD
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Ilia Topuria derrotou Charles of the Bronx by knockout at 2min and 27sec of the first round
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Alexandre pantoja derrotou Kai Kara France by submission (rear naked choke) at 1min55sec of the third round – fight for the belt
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joshua Van derrotou Brandon royval by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Beneil Dariush derrotou Renato Moicano by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Payton Talbott derrotou 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 derrotou Jack hermansson by knockout 4min and 20sec of the first round
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Joseph Delgado derrotou Hyder Amil by knockout at 1min 26sec of the first round
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Tracy Cortez derrotou Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): terrance mckinney derrotou Viacheslav Borshchev by submission (hand triangle) at 55 seconds of the first round
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jacobe Smith derrotou Niko Price by submission (rear naked choke) at 4min 03sec 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)
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