The flyweight division takes center stage as reigning champion Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja defends his title for the fourth time against New Zealand’s Kai “Don’t Blink” Kara-France. This is a rematch nearly a decade in the making, with Pantoja having previously defeated Kara-France on The Ultimate Fighter in 2016. Now, with UFC gold on the line, both men bring evolved skill sets and high stakes into the Octagon.
Tale of the Tape
| Attribute | Alexandre Pantoja | Kai Kara-France |
| Record | 29–5 (8 KO, 11 SUB) | 25–11 (12 KO, 3 SUB) |
| Age | 35 | 31 |
| Height | 5’5″ | 5’4″ |
| Reach | 67″ | 69″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| UFC Record | 13–3 | 8–4 |
| Last Fight | Win vs. Kai Asakura (SUB) | Win vs. Steve Erceg (KO) |
Fighter Breakdown
Alexandre Pantoja – The Relentless Champion
Pantoja has quietly built one of the most impressive résumés in the flyweight division. Since capturing the title from Brandon Moreno, he’s defended it three times, showcasing his elite grappling, cardio, and mental toughness. He’s currently riding a seven-fight win streak, including victories over top contenders like Brandon Royval, Manel Kape, and Matt Schnell.
Strengths: Chain wrestling, back control, submission threat
Fight IQ: High-level transitions and positional awareness
Key Stat: 2.7 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 47% success rate
Path to Victory: Close distance, initiate scrambles, and dominate on the ground
Kai Kara-France – The Knockout Artist from Down Under
A product of City Kickboxing, Kara-France is known for his crisp boxing, explosive power, and elite takedown defense. After back-to-back losses to Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi, he bounced back with a statement KO over Steve Erceg, earning his first shot at undisputed UFC gold.
Strengths: Striking accuracy, counterpunching, footwork
Fight IQ: Excellent range management and timing
Key Stat: 88% takedown defense, 4.56 significant strikes per minute
Path to Victory: Keep the fight standing, punish entries, and land clean counters
Keys to Victory
For Pantoja:
Initiate grappling exchanges early and often
Avoid prolonged striking exchanges at range
Use pressure to wear down Kara-France’s movement
For Kara-France:
Maintain distance and use lateral footwork
Defend takedowns and punish Pantoja’s entries
Stay composed in scrambles and look for counters
FIGHT ODDS
Alexandre Pantoja – 240
Kai Kara-France + 200
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 27, 2025
