Kara-France submits in UFC flyweight title defeat to Pantoja

Kiwi Kai Kara-France has lost his UFC flyweight challenge against title holder Alexandre Pantoja.

Kara-France submitted to a rear naked choke from his Brazilian opponent in the third round of the scheduled five at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pantoja, who now has a 15-3 UFC record, was dominant throughout and never let Kara-France settle.

Pantoja achieved take-downs in the first two rounds and he got the Kiwi to the ground early in round three.

After the fight, Joshua Van was invited into the octagon to face off with Pantoja and was announced as the next title challenger after defeating former title challenger Brandon Royval in a Fight of the Year candidate in the bout prior.