UFC 314: Championship Rematch Reportedly Set For Miami PPV
www.forbes.com
LAS VEGAS, NV - March 4: Dana White meets with the press following the fights at T-Mobile Arena for ... [+] UFC 285 -Jones vs Gane : Event on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV, United States.(Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesWere seeing a lot of rematches in the UFC, and thats not necessarily a bad thing.The most recent fighting sequel reportedly set will have UFC mens flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against No. 4 Kai Kara France in the co-main event of UFC 314 in Miami on April 12.This fight news was originally reported by Australian MMA insider Benny P.While this fight is technically a rematch, Pantoja and KKF havent faced each other recently. The met in what was technically an exhibition on an episode of The Ultimate Fighter in July 2016. Pantoja won the fight by split decision.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 16: Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil poses for a portrait after his victory ... [+] during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesPantoja has been on an impressive run.Hes won seven fights in a row, and that streak includes dethroning Brandon Moreno in July 2023 at UFC 290 and defending the title three times. Most recently, Pantoja scored a second-round submission victory over newcomer Kai Asakura in the main event of UFC 310 in December 2024.MORE FOR YOUAfter the fight, Pantoja unsuccessfully attempted to lure former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson out of retirement. Mighty Mouse made it clear he had no interest in competing in MMA again.That declaration sent Pantoja and the UFC back to the drawing board to find the Brazilians next challenger. They have seemingly landed on KKF following his impressive first-round KO win over Steve Erceg at UFC 305.PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Kai Kara-France of New Zealand prepares to face Steve Erceg of ... [+] Australia in a flyweight fight during the UFC 305 event at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCThe win snapped a two-fight losing streak for KKF, which might make some wonder how hes in a position to challenge for a championship. However, Pantoja has already beaten No. 1 Brandon Royval and No. 2 Brandon Moreno twice apiece. Moreno just defeated No. 3 Amir Albazi in his last fight.Royval defeated No. 5 Tatsuro Taira in his last fight. Pantoja has also beaten No. 6 Manel Kape, though Kape could be next in line for a title shot if he defeats Royval on March 1.In any case, Pantoja has essentially cleaned out his division, and more chips need to fall before there are some completely fresh matchups with title implications.As it is, the UFC 314 card is looking solid so far.If Pantoja-KKF is the co-main event and Bo Nickals leak of the UFC 314 main event (Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2) is accurate, fans will have something to look forward to this spring.UFC 314 Potential Card(c) Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski - UFC Featherweight Championship (145 lbs) - ???(c) Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France - UFC Mens FlyweightChampionship (125 lbs)Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales - Welterweight (170 lbs)Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes - Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)Virna Jandiroba vs. Xiaonan Yan - Womens Strawweight (115 lbs)Chase Hooper vs. Jim Miller - Lightweight (155 lbs)It will be interesting to see how the UFC fills out the rest of the card. If the six fights above are officialand Nickal also finds his way onto the card as he plansit looks like the entire PPV portion of the event is already secured. The UFC just needs a few more compelling prelims, and itll have an April banger headed to Miami.
0 Kommentare ·0 Anteile ·62 Ansichten