Alexandre Pantoja is looking forward to his next flying weight defending defense for one reason in particular.
There was a debate around what the next one would be for the 125 pound champion, with several challengers in the mix.
Drawing began to show in favor of Pantoja opposite Kai Kara-France on UFC 317, despite the best attempts by Manel Kape to bring itself in pole position.
With three title defenses that are already under his belt, Pantoja is looking for new and exciting challenges that will motivate him in this phase of his career.
He has confronted and beaten Kara-France in the past, but the New Zealander has since been able to demonstrate his devastating force in the Octagon.
Alexandre Pantoja says he should be like Muhammad Ali to beat Kai Kara-France on UFC 317
It is no secret that the biggest challenge that Alexandre Pantoja is confronted with UFC 317 is the power that Kai Kara-France possesses in his hands.
12 of his 25 Pro victories came through Knock -Out or TKO with the challenger who earned his title shot from the back of Steve Erceg in the first round last August.
In the past, Pantoja has shown that, although he is incredibly durable, he is hit and he can occasionally be pulled into a fight.
Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC
He spoke about respect for the power of his opponent during a recent interview with MMA Junkie, comparing Kara-France with Mike Tyson.
“I have the chance to do it again with Kai Kara-France. With a man with powerful hands. I have the feeling that Kai Kara-France is like Mike Tyson. I'm going to fight someone who can take me down and that does a lot of attention to his hands. That is a good challenge. I need challenges.”
Pantoja further said that although he is certainly not afraid to hit Kara-France, he is not going to play the game of his opponent.
The champion stated that if his opponent is going to try to land with an enormous amount of strength such as Tyson, he will have to pursue the greatest of all time to dance around him.
“When I see him like Mike Tyson, I may have to look more like Mohammed Ali. I need movement. But if he tries to touch me, I have a very good chin. I have proven that. I don't want to prove much, I want to move my head more, that's something I really work on, but I also have strong hands.”
Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France's striking statistics compared to UFC 317
Although Alexandre Pantoja may also have power in his hands, he has not stopped strikes since 2019 and is much better known for his submission skills.
According to UFC statistics, Kai Kara-France ends up more important strikes per minute with a lower accuracy than Pantoja, which could be due to the New Zealander who prefers the fight while Pantoja mixes his approach much more.
Striking Statistexandre Pantojakai Kara-FranceSignificant strikes landed per minute 4,414,56 Significant striking accuracy50%39%significant strikes that are absorbed per minute 3,923.22-significant strike defense (the%of the opponents that do not land) 50%
The path to victory seems pretty clear to both men in this fight, where they are such dangerous finishers when they can implement their preferred arrears.