UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja had to win several personal fights for his victory over UFC 317.
Alexandre Pantoja made it easy on Saturday against Kai Kara-France on UFC 317. But although his performance in the Octagon was one of his most dominant, the run-up to the fight was disastrous for the UFC flight weight holder.
Pantoja choked Kara-France with a second-hand choke entry in round 3 of their UFC 317 Co-Main event Matchup. It was largely one-way traffic for Pantoja, who suppressed the progress of Kara-France on the feet while dominating him on the floor.
Pantoja soon became one of the biggest stars of the UFC while he continues to rise the survey ranking of all time. After beating Kara-France and confronted with his likely next opponent, Pantoja opened about what he went through during his UFC 317 camp in the American top team-Florida.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Alexandre Pantoja had to overcome various health stores before UFC 317
In a recent episode of the UFCs about Last Fight Podcast, Pantoja explained what went wrong a few weeks before his UFC 317 version.
“Many things happened in the last few weeks of training. I got Staph and I think everyone realizes how that infection can kill your body. The problem that Ben has Askren,” said Pantoja.
“Tried the use of antibiotics three weeks before the fight, and because I used them, I got liquid in my chest and the lungs. And that's so crazy, and I just want to enjoy the moment and thank my wife,” Pantoja continued. “Because I was sometimes at home, and my wife told me:” You are not happy with everything you have? Because you go to the gym? You have everything you wanted. “And that has changed everything …
“I put my thoughts in the right way and I started to feel happier. I don't care if I have a problem … It is a huge lesson that God gave me. Because I am a champion, things are easier at the moment. My weight went up and down (in the camp) and I realized that I had to have a warrior mentality to get through everything.”
Despite the medical problems of Pantoja, he successfully made the championship weight on Friday before walking through Kara-France on Saturday. Fortunately, Pantoja's Staph infection did not develop into something more serious, such as MMA legend Ben Askren is now undergoing.
Now that UFC 317 is in the rearview mirror, Pantoja will focus his attention on one of the brightest young stars of the flying weight division.
And still 🏆 🇧🇷 # #ufc317
Alexandre Pantoja submits Kai Kara-France in round three! pic.twitter.com/ogmfpsld2o
– mma_boy until last (@mmaboy_10) 29 June 2025
Alexandre Pantoja got up to collide with UFC 317 striking for the next flight weight defending defense
Only a few minutes before Pantoja and Kara-France walked to the Octagon, UFC defeated Flyweight Competent Joshua from former title champion Brandon Royval through a unanimous decision in an immediate classic Brawl. From his second victory in weeks, after beating Bruno Silva by knockout on UFC 316 earlier this month.
Pantoja and Van stood in the cage, only a few minutes after Pantoja beat Kara-France on UFC 317. The matchup is probably the following flying weight fight, as UFC CEO Dana White confirmed during the UFC 317 Pre-Fight Press Conference.
The UFC Flyweight Division continues to rise in prestige, and Pantoja and Van van will continue its momentum later this year.