Alexandre Pantoja turned in another masterclass at UFC 317, successfully defending his UFC flyweight title for the fourth time with a dominant third-round rear-naked choke finish of Kai Kara-France. From the opening bell, Pantoja showcased the relentless grappling, aggressive striking, and clinical back-taking that have made him one of the division’s all-time greats. Kara-France was game but ultimately outmatched everywhere the fight went. With the win, Pantoja extended his overall win streak to eight, solidifying his claim as one of the most decorated flyweights in UFC history while rising to #5 in the pound-for-pound rankings.
Next up for Alexandre Pantoja should be a highly anticipated title showdown with #1-ranked contender Joshua Van. The two shared the Octagon in the aftermath of UFC 317, making for a natural build. Van, just 23 years old, is coming off a spectacular Fight of the Night win over Brandon Royval on the same card. In that bout, Van broke the UFC record for most significant strikes landed in a three-round flyweight fight while showcasing his insane pace, power, and striking versatility. Despite stepping in on three weeks’ notice, Van made Royval—himself a former title challenger—look overwhelmed at times.
Stylistically, Pantoja vs. Van is pure chaos. Pantoja’s suffocating grappling and finishing instincts will be tested by Van’s offensive volume and durability. Meanwhile, Van will need to show he can handle the champion’s suffocating back control and submission threats. The UFC can sell this as a battle between the old-guard king of the division and its most exciting young star. The matchup is perfect for a pay-per-view co-main event, headlining in Brazil, or even anchoring a big Fight Night card. It’s also the bout that most cleanly answers the question of who is truly the best flyweight on Earth.
Last Five Fights – Alexandre Pantoja:
1. Win over Kai Kara-France – Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC 317 (June 28, 2025)
2. Win over Kai Asakura – Technical Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC 310 (December 7, 2024)
3. Win over Steve Erceg – Decision (unanimous), UFC 301 (May 4, 2024)
4. Win over Brandon Royval – Decision (unanimous), UFC 296 (December 16, 2023)
5. Win over Brandon Moreno – Decision (split), UFC 290 (July 8, 2023)
Last Five Fights – Joshua Van:
1. Win over Brandon Royval – Decision (unanimous), UFC 317 (June 28, 2025)
2. Win over Bruno Gustavo da Silva – TKO (punches), UFC 316 (June 7, 2025)
3. Win over Rei Tsuruya – Decision (unanimous), UFC 313 (March 8, 2025)
4. Win over Cody Durden – Decision (unanimous), UFC 310 (December 7, 2024)
5. Win over Édgar Cháirez – Decision (unanimous), UFC 306 (September 14, 2024)