Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his UFC flyweight title for the third time at UFC 310, submitting Kai Asakura in the second round. The event took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Pantoja showcased his grappling prowess against the former RIZIN bantamweight champion, who was making his UFC debut.
Alexandre Pantoja choked out Kai Asakura (2024)
📸 @ChrisUnger_ pic.twitter.com/Ivl1cAZQTt
— Fight Pics That Go Hard (@fightpicsgohard) December 8, 2024
The fight began with both fighters exchanging strikes, but Pantoja quickly established control. After a competitive first round, he turned up the pressure in the second. Pantoja executed a well-timed back take against the cage, transitioning smoothly to a body triangle before locking in a rear-naked choke. Asakura was unable to defend effectively, leading to the fight being stopped at 2:05 of Round 2.
With this victory, Pantoja not only extended his winning streak to seven fights but also tied for the most finishes and wins in UFC flyweight history. Following the bout, he expressed his desire to face former champion Demetrious Johnson, highlighting his ambition to solidify his legacy in the division.
After a dominant peformance, let’s take a look at who could potentially be next for the flyweight king.
Kai Kara-France stakes his claim as the next title contender
Kai Kara-France has made a compelling case for the next flyweight title shot after his impressive first-round knockout victory over Steve Erceg at UFC 305. The New Zealand native showcased his devastating striking power, finishing Erceg in just 4:04 of the opening round45. This performance not only snapped Kara-France’s two-fight losing streak but also reaffirmed his position as one of the division’s elite contenders.
Kai Kara-France has some power for a flyweight, this was a vicious knockout by him of Steve Erceg.#UFC305 pic.twitter.com/Ygi7Gnd3T9
— Vipul Ghatol 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) August 18, 2024
With Alexandre Pantoja successfully defending his title against Kai Asakura at UFC 310, the timing couldn’t be better for Kara-France to challenge for the belt. His knockout win over a highly-regarded opponent in Erceg, who had previously challenged for the title, demonstrates that Kara-France has the skills to compete at the highest level. Additionally, with 13 first-round knockouts to his name, Kara-France brings an exciting style that could create an intriguing matchup against the grappling-savvy Pantoja. . Given the current landscape of the flyweight division, Kara-France’s recent performance and overall body of work make him a strong candidate for the next title shot.
Brandon Royval is ready for his rematch against Alexandre Pantoja
Brandon Royval has made a compelling case for a title rematch against Alexandre Pantoja following his hard-fought split decision victory over the previously undefeated Tatsuro Taira at UFC Fight Night 244. Royval’s performance showcased his resilience and striking prowess, as he overcame Taira’s grappling threats to secure a crucial win in a thrilling five-round battle. This victory, coupled with his previous win over former champion Brandon Moreno, solidifies Royval’s position as the top contender in the flyweight division.
While Taira didn’t take the win we have to look at how well he used the body triangle
His proactive outside leg kept Royval stuck on defense for long portions of the fight
I was excited to see this after writing about it in the premium section of my newsletter pic.twitter.com/EguT78cGK8
— William – Open Note Grappling 📝 (@OpenNoteGrapple) October 13, 2024
With Pantoja successfully defending his title against Kai Asakura at UFC 310, the timing is perfect for Royval to challenge for the belt once again. His recent performances have demonstrated significant improvements since their last encounter, particularly in his takedown defense and ability to control the pace of fights. Royval’s exciting fighting style and his vocal call for a title shot post-fight further strengthen his case as the most deserving contender. A rematch between Royval and Pantoja would not only be a highly anticipated bout but also a true test of both fighters’ evolution since their last meeting.
The undefeated Asu Almabayev deserves his crack at the title
Asu Almabayev has made a compelling case for a flyweight title shot following his dominant unanimous decision victory over former top-ranked contender Matheus Nicolau at UFC Fight Night 245. The Kazakh fighter showcased his well-rounded skillset, effectively neutralizing Nicolau’s offense while demonstrating superior striking and grappling throughout the bout. This win extends Almabayev’s impressive streak to 17 consecutive victories, with four of those coming inside the UFC octagon.
Connected and DROPPED him 👊
Asu Almabayev with the big moment to start off RD 3! #UFCVegas99 pic.twitter.com/woYwS5aBtZ
— UFC (@ufc) October 19, 2024
With Alexandre Pantoja successfully defending his title against Kai Asakura at UFC 310, the flyweight division is ripe for fresh challengers. Almabayev’s rise through the rankings, culminating in his victory over the seventh-ranked Nicolau, positions him as an exciting new contender at the top of the division. His undefeated UFC record, combined with his ability to finish fights both on the feet and on the ground, makes him a intriguing matchup for the champion Pantoja. Almabayev’s title shot would inject new blood into the flyweight title picture and potentially usher in a new era for the division.