Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil submits Kai Kara-France of New Zealand in their flyweight co-main event title bout during UFC 317. Photo: Ian Maule/Getty Images
Kiwi Kai Kara France has fallen short in his bid for UFC flyweight gold, submitted by rear naked choke by the hands of champion Alexandre Pantoja in round three.
It was a tough watch for Kara-France fans as the Aucklander was unable to get out of the gate, and mount any meaningful offence in a thoroughly one sided bout.
The loss will likely spell the end for Kara-France's quest for flyweight gold, the second time he has been beaten with gold on the line following his TKO loss to Brandon Moreno.
The City Kick Boxing product felt primed to steal the strap away from the Brazilian, with a lengthy camp under his belt and a previous fight with Pantoja in 2016.
However, Pantoja proved there are levels to the game, and Kara-France is not on his.
The champion pressed the pace from the outset, effortlessly dragging Kara-France to the canvas and very nearly ending things in the first.
Kara-France had visible welts on both his midsection and face as Pantoja was also a step ahead in the stand up.
He managed to stuff a takedown attempt in the second, but it wasn't long until Pantoja again took him to the mat, and it was in the third when the champion managed to take the back, and synch in a deep rare naked choke, forcing Kara-France to tap.
Following the fight, Pantoja squared off with Joshua Van, who booked himself a title shot earlier in the night with a thrilling win over Brandon Royval in what will be a contender for fight of the year.
In the main event, Illia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira in round one to claim the vacant UFC lightweight title.
See what went down at UFC 317 below.
