The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Las Vegas for its annual International Fight Week with UFC 317, set to take place on June 28, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena. The co-main event features a high-stakes flyweight title clash between reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Kai Kara-France. This bout, dubbed “Pantoja vs. Kara,” promises to be a thrilling rematch nearly a decade in the making, with both fighters bringing distinct skills, contrasting styles, and a shared history that adds intrigue to an already explosive matchup. Below, we dive into a comprehensive preview of this flyweight championship showdown, analyzing the fighters, their paths to UFC 317, statistical breakdowns, key factors, and predictions for how this five-round battle might unfold.
The Fighters: Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France
Alexandre Pantoja – The Dominant Champion
Alexandre Pantoja, the 35-year-old Brazilian flyweight kingpin, has solidified his status as one of the most dominant champions in the UFC’s 125-pound division. With a professional record of 29-5 (13-3 in the UFC), Pantoja is riding an impressive seven-fight win streak, showcasing his relentless pressure, elite grappling, and durability. Since capturing the flyweight title with a split decision victory over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July 2023, Pantoja has defended his belt three times against Moreno, Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, and Kai Asakura, most recently submitting Asakura via rear-naked choke at UFC 310 in December 2024.
Pantoja’s fighting style is a whirlwind of aggression. Known for his suffocating pace, he averages 4.41 significant strikes per minute with a 50% accuracy rate and lands 2.74 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 47% success rate. His grappling is among the best in the division, with five submission wins in the UFC, tying him with Demetrious Johnson for the most in flyweight history. Pantoja’s ability to chain wrestle, scramble, and hunt for submissions makes him a nightmare on the ground. His durability is equally notable, as he has never been finished in his UFC career, boasting a 50% striking defense and a 68% takedown defense.
Pantoja’s journey to UFC 317 has been marked by resilience and growth. After a 6-3 start in the UFC, he hit his stride in 2020, defeating top contenders like Moreno (twice), Royval (twice), and Alex Perez. His ability to adapt mid-fight, coupled with his high fight IQ, has made him a formidable champion. Pantoja views this fight as a chance to further cement his legacy, comparing Kara-France’s knockout power to Mike Tyson and emphasizing his need for movement and head defense to counter the challenger’s striking.
Kai Kara-France – The Dangerous Underdog
Kai Kara-France, a 32-year-old New Zealander from City Kickboxing, enters UFC 317 with a record of 25-11 (8-4 in the UFC). Known for his explosive striking and knockout power, Kara-France is one of the most dangerous punchers in the flyweight division, with 12 knockouts in his career. His most recent performance was a first-round TKO over Steve Erceg at UFC 305 in August 2024, earning him a “Performance of the Night” bonus and this title shot. However, Kara-France has faced setbacks, including a third-round TKO loss to Brandon Moreno for the interim flyweight title at UFC 277 in 2022 and a split decision loss to Amir Albazi in 2023.
Kara-France’s style revolves around his crisp boxing and ability to land devastating combinations, particularly his lead hook-right cross. He is a low-output striker who relies on precision and timing, needing space to read his opponents and counter effectively. Defensively, he’s competent, with a decent sprawl and a focus on disengaging from grappling exchanges to keep fights standing. However, his grappling is a noted weakness, as he struggles to initiate counter-grappling or escape from the bottom against elite grapplers like Pantoja.
Kara-France’s mindset heading into UFC 317 is one of redemption and purpose. Reflecting on his 2016 exhibition loss to Pantoja on The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions, he noted the toll of weekly weight cuts and his relative inexperience at the time. Now, with a family and a more mature approach, Kara-France believes he’s peaking at the right moment. His knockout power, which Pantoja himself acknowledges, gives him a puncher’s chance to upset the champion.
History Between Pantoja and Kara-France
The “Pantoja vs. Kara” narrative is enriched by their prior encounter on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 in 2016. In a two-round exhibition bout, Pantoja defeated Kara-France via unanimous decision. The fight saw Pantoja initiate an early takedown, while Kara-France found success with low leg kicks in the second round. Though not an official bout, the experience left a mark on both fighters. Kara-France recalls feeling drained from repeated weight cuts, admitting he performed at “50%” capacity, while Pantoja sees the rematch as a chance to prove his dominance under championship conditions.
Since their first meeting, both fighters have evolved significantly. Pantoja has become a well-rounded champion with a suffocating ground game, while Kara-France has honed his striking to become one of the division’s most dangerous finishers. The stakes are now far higher, with UFC gold on the line and a five-round format that tests endurance, strategy, and adaptability.
The Path to UFC 317
Pantoja’s Road to the Title Defense
Pantoja’s reign as flyweight champion began with a hard-fought split decision over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290. He followed this with unanimous decision victories over Brandon Royval (UFC 296, December 2023) and Steve Erceg (May 2024), before showcasing his finishing ability with a second-round submission of Kai Asakura at UFC 310. His seven-fight win streak includes victories over six of the top nine flyweight contenders, solidifying his claim as one of the greatest flyweights behind Demetrious Johnson.
The Brazilian’s preparation for UFC 317 has been intense, with a focus on improving his head movement to counter Kara-France’s knockout power. Pantoja’s confidence stems from his experience against elite competition and his ability to push a relentless pace, but he remains wary of Kara-France’s striking, likening him to a “Mike Tyson” in the division.
Kara-France’s Climb Back to Title Contention
Kara-France’s journey to UFC 317 has been a rollercoaster. After a three-fight win streak from 2021-2022, he faced Moreno for the interim title at UFC 277, suffering a TKO loss via a liver kick. A controversial split decision loss to Amir Albazi in 2023 and a concussion that forced him to withdraw from a bout against Manel Kape further delayed his momentum. However, his emphatic knockout of Erceg at UFC 305 reestablished him as a top contender, earning him this title shot.
Kara-France’s training camp has focused on maintaining his striking edge while preparing for Pantoja’s grappling. He emphasizes his maturity and purpose, drawing inspiration from teammate Israel Adesanya’s self-belief. Kara-France aims to keep the fight standing, where he believes his power can change the course of the bout.
Statistical Breakdown and Key Metrics
To understand the dynamics of this matchup, let’s examine key statistics:
- Pantoja’s Stats:
- Record: 29-5 (13-3 UFC)
- Significant Strikes: 4.41 per minute, 50% accuracy
- Striking Defense: 50%
- Takedowns: 2.74 per 15 minutes, 47% accuracy
- Takedown Defense: 68%
- Submission Attempts: 12 (tied for fourth in flyweight history)
- Fight Time: 3:22:26 (fifth most in flyweight history)
- Notable Wins: Brandon Moreno (x3), Brandon Royval (x2), Kai Asakura, Alex Perez
- Kara-France’s Stats:
- Record: 25-11 (8-4 UFC)
- Significant Strikes: Lower output, high precision