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Sport Nation
Important SN update for SouthlandKara-France falls to submission defeat in UFC flyweight world title bid
Sport Nation • June 29th, 2025 5:55 pm
Photo: UFC
It wasn't to be for Kiwi challenger Kai Kara-France, who came up short in his bid for flyweight title at UFC 317 in Las Vegas on Sunday (NZ time).
Kara-France was comprehensively bested by defending champion Alexandre Pantoja, falling prey via submission in the third round of the contest.
The reigning champ stated his intentions early with his suffocating pressure, claiming the opening two rounds in convincing fashion, as the Aucklander struggled to find the space to unleash his powerful striking.
The reigning champ stated his intentions early with his suffocating pressure, claiming the opening two rounds in convincing fashion, as the Aucklander struggled to find the space to unleash his powerful striking.
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After stoically defending a series of attempts, Kara-France eventually came undone, forced to tap to a vice-tight rear-naked choke by the Brazilian.
The title defence was Pantoja's fourth, extending his unbeaten streak to eight fights dating back to 2020.
Meanwhile, Kara-France is struck with third defeat in his past four fights.
Pantoja will advance to face Joshua Va in his next title defence, after the Myanmar fighter prevailed in one of the fights of the year over Brandon Royval earlier in the card.
In the main event, Ilia Topuria earned a devastating first-round knockout over Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant lightweight title.
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