Alexandre Pantoja Defends UFC Flyweight Title With Record-Setting Submission Win

At UFC 317, Alexandre Pantoja solidified his dominance in the flyweight division by submitting Kai Kara-France with a rear-naked choke in the third round, extending his winning streak and defending his title successfully. Pantoja broke multiple UFC flyweight records, including most wins (14), most submission wins (6), and most finishes (8) in the division, surpassing legends like Demetrious Johnson. He also became the first men's flyweight champion aged 35 or older to win a title fight, breaking a long-standing age-related curse in the division. Throughout the fight, Pantoja showcased his grappling and striking versatility, controlling the match with takedowns and stand-up exchanges. Following the victory, Joshua Van was announced as Pantoja's next challenger, representing a generational clash between the seasoned champion and the young contender. Kara-France, now with his 12th career loss, was unable to capitalize on his prior momentum and must reassess his path to title contention.