UFC 317 video: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France first faceoff
LAS VEGAS – Alexander Pantoja and Kai Kara-France were locked in at their first UFC 317 fight week faceoff following Thursday's pre-fight press conference.
Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will attempt to log his fourth consecutive title defense as flyweight champion when he takes on Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the co-main event o Saturday's card at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Advertisement
Both men have been respectful in the buildup to the fight, which is a rematch of a 2016 exhibition bout on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series, and was won by Pantoja via unanimous decision.
Nine years later, the pair run it back for the highest stakes in the sport.
Check out the video above to see the Pantoja vs. Kara-France staredown from the UFC 317 press conference.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 317 video: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France first faceoff
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Warriors pick Australian wing Alex Toohey at No. 52 overall in 2025 NBA Draft
Warriors pick Australian wing Alex Toohey at No. 52 overall in 2025 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The Warriors made their first move in the 2025 NBA Draft by selecting Australian wing Alex Toohey with the No. 52 overall pick. Advertisement Golden State traded its No. 41 overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the No. 52 and No. 59 selections. Toohey is a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Sydney Kings in the National Basketball League. He is 21 years old. Following a second NBL season with Sydney, Toohey was excited to take his talents to the NBA, and he was among the 75 prospects invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Multiple NBA teams travelled to Australia over the course of the NBL season to lay eyes on Toohey, per ESPN. 'Pretty much every area a basketball player can show, I feel like I'm gonna surprise some people over there,' Toohey told ESPN last month. Now he gets a chance to showcase his talents with the Warriors. Advertisement Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft second-round winners and losers: The Rasheer Fleming Sweepstakes, silliness and cash
Our own Dan Devine flawlessly analyzed the winners and losers of the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, and I am here to clean up the rest, presenting the inarguable winners and losers of the draft's second round ... WINNER: Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph's Fleming waited all night to hear his name in the first round and did not. Yet, by having to wait, he became the primary focus of the draft's second night. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics — slated to select second on Thursday and No. 32 overall — intended to take Fleming, but the Phoenix Suns had other plans, trading three second-round picks for the right to draft the St. Joseph's junior. Advertisement In other words, the opening moments of Night 2 of the draft became The Rasheer Fleming Sweepstakes: Fleming is a long and athletic forward known for his spot-up shooting ability and defensive energy. Sounds like a 3-and-D wing to me. He was the only player in the country last season to convert at least 40 dunks and 50 made 3-pointers, according to ESPN's Jay Bilas. He also does not lack for confidence. When asked what he planned to bring to the Suns, Fleming told ESPN's Monica McNutt, "Regardless if anything goes wrong, if I'm not making shots, which I don't, you're going to get a lot of effort out of me." Advertisement Which I don't. Tell 'em, Rasheer. LOSER: The Minnesota Timberwolves Sounds like Wolves executive Tim Connelly was not pleased with how those sweepstakes shook out: LOSER: 'On the clock' Nobody knows who is on the clock, unless you are a certified genius. As the NBA's deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, proclaimed the Minnesota Timberwolves were taking Fleming with the first pick of the draft's second night, the ESPN hosts had to repeatedly remind us that the Wolves were not actually taking Fleming. It was the Suns, who had just traded up to select him. And then ESPN had to conduct its interview with Fleming in a Timberwolves hat. It makes no sense. And this was the case all night. It seemed everybody but the viewer knew ahead of time one team was selecting in place of another, so why can't Tatum just tell us the actual team taking a player? Advertisement And why can't they wear the right hat? Do they even need a hat? It only makes it more confusing. WINNER: Cash Over the course of a couple of hours, the Los Angeles Lakers traded the No. 55 pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick, and then the Lakers traded the No. 45 pick and cash to the Timberwolves for No. 36. In other words, all it took was a little cash to move up from the bottom of the second round to the top. (And, of course, Tatum told us that it was the Brooklyn Nets who were taking the pick when in actuality it had changed hands twice — from the Nets to the Timberwolves to the Lakers — before he announced it.) Advertisement The Lakers selected Arkansas junior Adou Thiero, who our own Kevin O'Connor described as "a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step," and an A pick, which is a pretty good haul for some cash. LOSER: Ryan Kalkbrenner's assessment of himself After Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner described himself as a much-improved shooter in a draft-day media package about his potential impact on the NBA, the 34th overall pick by the Hornets informed us, "My favorite player growing up was Dirk [Nowitzki], and I couldn't be more different than him. That fadeaway jumper in the post is just iconic. He was so good at that, and I think I hit that shot twice over five years in my college career." Do not set limits on yourself, Ryan. WINNER: Alijah Martin's jeweler Florida senior wing Alijah Martin arrived to the draft in a smooth-looking all-white suit and a chain the size of his head, which is a pretty good sign the NIL checks from Gators boosters probably cleared. "Just something that me and my jeweler put together," Martin told ESPN. Advertisement That's right: Second-round draft picks have their own jewelers, apparently. Unfortunately, Martin's chain was of the No. 15, and he was selected 39th by the Toronto Raptors, who recently retired Vince Carter's No. 15, so I guess Martin will have to commission another chain. WINNER: Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets What a name. Do not fight this man, just based on the name alone. Also: Do not fight this man, because he is a mulleted 7-foot-4 Australian "who can practically dunk without jumping," according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Good on ya, Timberwolves, for taking him 45th. [SHRUG]: Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst Prior to the Bucks' selection of Bogoljub Marković (not a "Star Wars" character) with the No. 47 pick, Charania informed us two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is "closely monitoring" Milwaukee's process on Thursday, as he is still deciding his future with the team. Talk about pressure for Horst. Advertisement Antetokounmpo wants to see how the Bucks improve their team for next season, according to Charania. It probably is not the best sign that, soon after the Bucks selected Marković, Givony revealed, "I expect him to be stashed in Belgrade next year," as Bogoljub is likely planning to arrive in Milwaukee in 2026. For his part, Marković all but said his international experience has made him the draft's best player: "Certainly from a physical side and a mental side I think it has prepared me the most out of anyone here." LOSER: The Denver Nuggets If ESPN's Brian Windhorst is suggesting what I think ESPN's Brian Windhorst is suggesting here, hoo boy: That, combined with Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke's recent comments — in which he randomly brought up "a scenario ... I never want to have to contemplate, and that's trading No. 15," Nikola Jokić — is cause for serious concern in Denver. What happens if he does not sign his impending contract extension offer? LOSER: Lachlan Olbrich's mustache What happened to Lachlan Olbrich's mustache? Bring it back, Lachlan. WINNER: Tyrese Proctor, Duke University Because the Cleveland Cavaliers will spend into the second apron next season (and possibly beyond), they are all but guaranteed to retain their affordable second-round draft pick with an actual roster spot. Advertisement As Givony said, "This is a spot that every agent was fighting for, because it's going to be a roster spot." They scored Tyrese Proctor, the fifth Duke player taken in the draft, with the No. 49 pick. He could serve as a roster replacement for either Ty Jerome or Sam Merrill, both of whom are unrestricted free agents. Afterward, Givony told us "every other pick here is either going to be a two-way or a stash," which is a good way to inform the viewing audience the rest of the draft is not much worth monitoring. LOSER: Night 2 Why is there a second night of the NBA Draft again? I think we managed with two rounds in one night.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Women's Euros 2025: Guide to Group D – can England escape toughest group?
One of the teams in this group will be going home far earlier than they had hoped. Three does not go into two and France, the Netherlands and England will expect to make the knockout stages. The Netherlands and England are the two most recent winners of the European Championship, with both achievements being accomplished under the same manager, Sarina Wiegman. Spare a thought for poor Wales, who are being thrown in at the deep end for their first international tournament. They have not been at their best in recent months and the disruption leading into this tournament — the retirements of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, plus Millie Bright making herself unavailable and having surgery — has not helped, but it is still hard to look past holders England as the leading contenders to get out of this group. Wiegman's side have lost to the Netherlands and France in the past two years but they have also pulled out crucial wins against both teams when they have needed to. Wiegman has repeatedly shown she is a manager who can weather the storms of international tournaments, having reached the final of every European Championship and World Cup in which she has managed. That is not to say it is impossible England are on the wrong end of a shock here — it just feels hard to bet against them. England vs Netherlands This whole group is pretty mouthwatering but the game between England and the Netherlands on the second matchday (July 9) will be pivotal. There is plenty of European Championship history between these teams — the Netherlands knocked England out at the semi-final stage in 2017 — with Dutchwoman Wiegman now managing England only adding to the fun. Meetings between these sides have seen plenty of drama in recent years. In their Nations League group in 2023, Renate Jansen scored a late winner for the Netherlands, then in the reverse fixture at Wembley, Ella Toone did the same for England. Expect this one to go down to the wire. Lauren James (England) When fit, Lauren James is one of the best players in the world. England look like a different side when she is playing, and their success this summer may very well depend on whether they can keep the Chelsea forward healthy. She set the World Cup alight in 2023 until she was sent off in the round of 16 — she will be hoping she can harness the more positive aspects of that tournament in Switzerland. Advertisement Whether it is her ball-carrying, passing, shooting or even her defensive work rate, James has become the complete forward. Wiegman can use her off either wing or as a 'No 10' through the middle, adding to her unpredictability. James is so good that this England team could be built around her for years to come, but she needs to deliver this summer. Veerle Buurman (Netherlands) When Chelsea announced a transfer deadline-day signing last September, plenty of people asked, 'Who?', when they saw the name Veerle Buurman. The left-sided centre-back was immediately loaned back to her previous club, PSV, then broke into the Netherlands team at the start of the season. She has looked very comfortable at senior level and her ability to vary whether she carries the ball or passes it out from the back makes her unpredictable in build-up. She also contributes in attack. She registered two goals and an assist at the most recent Under-20 World Cup, and has a goal and an assist in her senior international career already too. Wales For several of Wales' players, this summer will mark the culmination of years of work, none more so than Jess Fishlock, the 38-year-old who has amassed more than 160 caps for the national team. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders ever in the women's game, Fishlock has been a dedicated servant to the Wales national team. But it is not just her. Angharad James, Hayley Ladd and Sophie Ingle are some of the other names who have spent years striving for the opportunity to play in an international tournament for Wales. Ingle is in the squad but missed the whole of the 2024-25 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Chelsea's pre-season. Under former Portland Thorns manager Rhian Wilkinson, Wales have become a well-organised defensive side with a penchant for a quick counter-attack, powered by the speed of Bristol City winger Ffion Morgan and the sharp finishing of Leicester City forward Hannah Cain. They could hardly have been drawn into a tougher group but it also represents a free hit — and the opportunity to spoil England's summer. Netherlands captain Sherida Spitse recently became the most-capped international player in European football history. In April, she played her 241st game for the Netherlands in a 3-1 win against Austria, surpassing Caroline Seger, who made 240 appearances for Sweden before retiring in 2023. The men's record is held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 221. Spitse made her debut as a 16-year-old in 2006, in a 4-0 defeat against England. She has since gone on to feature in seven international tournaments, with this summer's Euros being the fifth one she has been selected for. (Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
