Israel Adesanya has expressed strong confidence in Kai Kara-France’s ability to dethrone Alexandre Pantoja in the upcoming UFC 317 flyweight title fight. The event is set to take place on June 28 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, where Kara-France will challenge Pantoja for the championship belt in the co-main event.
Alexandre Pantoja steps into this bout as a clear favorite, having defended his flyweight title three times since capturing it from Brandon Moreno in their thrilling 2023 encounter. His last victory saw him force a submission against Kai Asakura at UFC 310. However, Adesanya insists a similar outcome will not occur this time around.
Adesanya Predicts Kara-France’s Dominance in Scrambles Against Pantoja
In a recent preview video on his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya analyzed the matchup ahead of UFC 317. He acknowledged Pantoja’s toughness and skill but highlighted how much Kara-France has developed as a fighter, believing this is his moment to shine.
“I know Kai is ready,” Adesanya stated.
“I’m ready to watch him get crowned. … It’s just his moment to shine.”
He recalled that the two competitors fought eight years ago on The Ultimate Fighter, with Kara-France falling short but gaining valuable experience since then.
“I just feel like Kai’s got it, man,”
Adesanya added.
“I’m going for a round two KO, Kai. From what I see them working on…I’m not in the camp, but I be looking at his padwork and asking Eugene (Bareman) questions.”
“Pantoja is just tough, he’s durable…(but) you’re not gonna out-scramble Kai. Kai will f—— win the scrambles in this fight. I guarantee you, every f—— scramble, Kai will win. Submitting Kai is not going to happen.”
—Israel Adesanya, UFC Middleweight Champion
Adesanya’s UFC Hall of Fame Induction Coincides with Teammate’s Title Bid
The timing of Kara-France’s title shot is particularly meaningful as Israel Adesanya was recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Las Vegas. The induction celebrated Adesanya’s legendary performance against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236, a fight widely regarded as one of the greatest title bouts in UFC history.
Adesanya’s victory in that February 2019 interim middleweight title fight solidified his status as one of the sport’s elite. Although this induction placed him in the Fight Wing, many expect Adesanya will eventually be honored in the Modern Wing as his distinguished career continues.
Members of the City Kickboxing gym, which includes both Adesanya and Kara-France, gathered in Las Vegas not only to support the Hall of Fame event but also to rally behind Kara-France’s pursuit of championship glory at UFC 317.
What This Title Fight Means for the Flyweight Division
This showdown between Kai Kara-France and Alexandre Pantoja offers a pivotal moment in the UFC flyweight division. While Pantoja’s dominance has been notable, Kara-France’s growth and Adesanya’s public backing add intrigue to the contest. If Kara-France can execute the strategy Adesanya predicts, particularly by winning scrambles and preventing submissions, it could mark a shifting of the guard at 125 pounds.
As UFC 317 approaches, fans can expect a high-stakes battle fueled by experience, determination, and tactical prowess. Adesanya’s Israel Adesanya UFC 317 prediction adds an extra layer of confidence and anticipation around Kara-France’s potential triumph on fight night.