More Wins Than the GOAT: Alexandre Pantoja Surpasses Demetrious Johnson at UFC 317
The UFC Flyweight division saw another major shakeup at UFC 317, held on June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas as part of the International Fight Week celebration.
Champion Alexandre Pantoja entered the Octagon for his third title defense against Kai Kara-France, a dangerous striker with deep knockout power and a passionate following in New Zealand.
Pantoja Silences Doubt with Submission Mastery
Pantoja, a product of The Ultimate Fighter 2016, came in with a strong résumé — 24 wins, 5 losses, and a reputation for elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Kara-France, on the other hand, brought raw knockout power and fast hands. But as the fight progressed, the difference in grappling became clear.
After trading early in rounds one and two, Pantoja secured a takedown in round three, transitioned smoothly, and locked in a tight rear-naked choke.
Kara-France tapped, and Pantoja stood tall — “AND STILL.”
This win extends Pantoja’s reign and bolsters his already-impressive 75% takedown accuracy, according to UFC Stats.
His ability to shut down strikers with technique makes him one of the most well-rounded champions on the roster.
International Week, Global Stakes
Held during UFC’s International Fight Week, UFC 317 was designed to drive global hype — and it worked.
According to Statista, UFC events held during IFW weeks see a 15% boost in PPV sales, and with multiple title fights and breakout performances, UFC 317 delivered.
Pantoja’s dominant grappling was also showcased visually in the official ESPN recap, which called it “a display of clinical ground control and fight IQ.”
The Next Challenger: Joshua Van?
The story doesn’t end with Pantoja’s win. Just minutes after the fight, cameras caught Joshua Van — fresh off his dominant win over Brandon Royval — walking toward Pantoja.
The two faced off, and fans immediately started buzzing.
Van, just 23 years old, had earlier claimed the #1 contender spot with a tactical and powerful showing. You can read more about that performance here:
👉 23-Year-Old Delivers Dominant Performance at UFC 317
With Van’s youth and striking vs. Pantoja’s grappling and experience, the next flyweight title fight is already writing itself.
Pantoja Surpasses Demetrious Johnson’s Division Records
With his fourth consecutive title defense at UFC 317, Alexandre Pantoja officially surpassed Demetrious Johnson in several key categories: most wins, most finishes, and most submissions in UFC flyweight history.
These achievements are confirmed by UFC’s official fight statistics, further cementing Pantoja’s name among the greatest to ever compete at 125 pounds.
While Johnson still holds the record for most consecutive title defenses (11), his last UFC appearance was in 2018 before retiring in 2023.
More From UFC 317
This stacked card also saw Beneil Dariush return from back-to-back knockouts with a gritty win over Moicano.
👉 Read how the veteran turned things around
Earlier, Payton Talbott also proved his hype is real with a big win over Felipe Lima.
👉 See how he bounced back under pressure
And if you missed it:
👉 Veteran stunned in middleweight banger
As Pantoja vs Van looms, the flyweight division is hotter than ever — a perfect mix of youth, experience, technique, and hype.
📊 For updated stats and rankings, visit the official UFC website.
