June 28, 2025 • 8 mins
Mixed martial artist Kai Kara-France wants to use his flyweight title fight this afternoon as a platform for Māori culture.
The Kiwi will face Brazilian champion Alexandre "The Cannibal" Pantoja at UFC 317 in Nevada - his second title attempt.
Sky Sport UFC analyst Ravinder Hunia joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
UFC three one seven is on at Te Mobile Arena
in Las Vegas this afternoon. Of most interest for us
can we fighter Kai Cutter France fighting for the UFC
flyweight title. He's up against current title holder Alexandra Pantoca.
UFC three one seven available on skysport now pay per
view Skysport UFC presenter and analyst Driven de Herney. It
(00:36):
joins us from Vegas. Exciting times rav for Kai Cutter France.
What sort of feeling do you get from him? You've
been in and around him and the build up to this.
What sort of feeling do you get from Kai Cutter
France against you know, ahead of his his flyweight title shot.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Well, first of all, Kelder, I get absolute confidence from him.
I've you know, I've been there to witness him get
ready for fights before, but I've never seen him so
like ready but so tuned in ready. I don't. Yeah,
whenever we are having conversations about the fight or anything,
he's never ever talking about Pantosa. He's always talking about
(01:13):
you know, his mindset, his preparations, what he's done, in
terms of embracing his tahamudia you know, a lot more
during this camp to get him in the right mind space,
spiritual space. So I get a real sense of confidence
from him that he feels he is, you know, has
the goods to get the better of Pantosa if he
just does his best.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
So what is his best strategy. We'll talk about Pantoja
in a sec but what is what is Kai cal
of France's best strategy for winning this fight?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Well, I would say his hands. He has very heavy hands.
He is one of the most prolific knock out artists
of the flyweight division, which is rare because he's a
little guys. No offense where you usually see you know,
more movement, being more agile, being more mobile. With Kai
is those things as well. But if he gets his
hands on you, it can be lights out very early.
And you know, a couple of his past the oponents
(02:06):
in his last five fights have been victim to that.
Whereas Pantosa he likes to you know, pace himself a
little bit more. So I think that would work in
Kai's favor, that if he can get close enough to
touch him, like we saw improoved against Steve Uzig.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
It could be lights out for Pantosa.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
You're right, though, Rav. You know they're fifty seven kilos,
these guys. There's nothing to them, is there? You know
they are, But they're just just pocket rockets, aren't they.
What What kind of fight do we normally get in
a flywait battle? What can we expect when these two
hit the octagon?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Well, I'm not sure if the fight's going to go
the whole five rounds.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Alessandro Pantosa is a specialist of taking fighters into deep
waters in those five rounds.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
He's obviously the champion.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
This is his fourth title defense, so he is used
to fighting these five rounds. The opponents he comes up
against are only used to three, so he knows that
his advantage because he's condition, is to take them through
the five. So I'm thinking Kai might not want to
go that deep, but I think he has the tools
to do that if he needs to.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Alexander Pantosa he all so he gets touched a lot.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
He's willing to take it to get inside to give
them So that's why I feel that that works in
Kai Kuitt France's favor because he has very heavy hands,
but at the same time, Pantosa is very aware of this.
Pantosa is very sturdy on the ground as well. With
Brazilian jiu jitsu. Doesn't use it too often, but he
may have to if he feels the power of Kai
(03:28):
Kutter France.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
You forget that Kai Katter France has been around for
a while too, you know. I think these two four
to twenty sixteen, that's going back a long way, and
I'm sure a lot has changed in nine years watching
him develop. You talked about his development as a human
being before, but what have you noticed from him in
his development as a fighter.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Absolutely, his strength has gone tenfold. Here is a much
stronger fighter than he was. When you think back to
twenty sixteen. You know, he was a young man, you know,
almost a child, you know, of sorts in terms of
his body, in terms of his growth maturity.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Both physically and mentally.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
So now he's a man, very sure of himself, very
confident in his abilities, and with that has come strengthen
those facets of you know, backing himself with his hands.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
He's always had them, but now he knows how to
use them to the full potential.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
So I think that's the difference, is that He's really matured,
both physically and mentally.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I can't wait to see this this afternoon. Carla France
against Pantoja. What are the other features of UFC three
one seven?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh, you can't stare away from the main event. Charles
Olivera up against Ilia Taperia. Taperia's come up from the
lightweight from the featherweight division. Sorry, he was the champion
and now he's coming for the lightweight title.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Charles Olivia was a former.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Champion and the belt is now vacant, so it'll be
interesting to see who walks away victorious. Will it be
the old experienced head of Charles Olivia or will it
be the new generational fighter in Ilia Taperia. Find that
very very intriguing.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
There's also another flyweight fight on.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
That card, Brandon Rouval up against Joshua Van Brandon Royval
is the number one seed in the flyweight division and
he told us the week that he needs kai kind
of France to win this fight so that he can
have another title shot, because Pantoso has beaten him in
the past. So there's a lot at stake in terms
of the flyaway math and.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
What happens between Pantosia and Kai Kutter France as well.
So a few cool little things to look out for.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Absolutely and part of the week's activities inductions into the
UFC Hall of Fame, including a fighter pretty well known
to us, that's.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Right, yep, as well at this on you What a
bonus to be able to come over here and not
only watch you know, Kai Kita France go to war today,
but to also watch Israel at this on your you know,
his fight be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
We have course got to catch up with him as well,
and in his typical fashion, we didn't really talk much
about him and his induction. You know, he's known the
(05:51):
news for a little while now. I think the novelty
maybe wore off a little bit until he was up
on stage with Calvin Gastoline, but he just went on
and on, you know, about the pride that he has
in Kai Kutter France and the you know, the true
reason why he's here this weekend. But that's just the
reflection on this team, on the force that has come
into Las Vegas.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
We look up at the billboards on the strip.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
We've got Kai kind of France on one side, and
we've got Israel at this on your Hall of Fame.
On the other I've you know, never thought in a
million years on my first trip to Las Vegas. Obviously
Kili's lighting up the Las Vegas strip. But here we
are and it's a great thing to see.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
And did you think in a million years that you
would get to meet Shaquille O'Neil on the red carpet?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Did that even happen? It still feels like a blur.
He is absolutely hilarious though. It was really cool, and
we saw him walking, I mean, you can't miss him.
We see him walking down the red carpet, you know,
and we're like, oh, we don't know if he's there
for interviews because you know, we're there for the fighters,
or if he's going to stop him and chat with us.
And then you know, when the media girl tapped me
(06:48):
on the show, oh would you like to talk to check?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
And I'm like, oh my goodness, my heart dropped on
you know, I'm in a dress, I've got makeup on us,
that's sweating.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I just don't know what to do, don't know where
to look. And then there he was standing there right
beside me. I was like, Okay, let's have a card
it or let's do it.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I absolutely loved it, honestly, so authentic. It was just
so cool for you to get the chance to chat
to them. That's the that's the benefit of being in Vegas.
You never know, never know who is going to turn
up by UFC three one seven on pay per view
on Sky Arena from two o'clock this afternoon. Revender, your
coverage is absolutely superbos always appreciate you taking time to
chat to us this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Thank you so much. Enjoy the fights team.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
We definitely will. Revender Huneye are out of Las Vegas.
UFC three to one seven Best Guests on when Chai
Cutter France will be in the octagon to face Alexander
Pantoja for the usc flyweight title is some time after four.
That's about as as exact as we can get at
the moment. You know what happens with these things. They
(07:47):
tend to get pushed back and it depends on how
long the undercard goes for et cetera. But sometime after four,
Chai Cutter France will be in the ring in the
octagon to take on Alexander Pantoja for the UFC flyweight title.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
UFC three one seven is on at Te Mobile Arena
in Las Vegas this afternoon. Of most interest for us
can we fighter Kai Cutter France fighting for the UFC
flyweight title. He's up against current title holder Alexandra Pantoca.
UFC three one seven available on skysport now pay per
view Skysport UFC presenter and analyst Driven de Herney. It
(00:36):
joins us from Vegas. Exciting times rav for Kai Cutter France.
What sort of feeling do you get from him? You've
been in and around him and the build up to this.
What sort of feeling do you get from Kai Cutter
France against you know, ahead of his his flyweight title shot.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Well, first of all, Kelder, I get absolute confidence from him.
I've you know, I've been there to witness him get
ready for fights before, but I've never seen him so
like ready but so tuned in ready. I don't. Yeah,
whenever we are having conversations about the fight or anything,
he's never ever talking about Pantosa. He's always talking about
(01:13):
you know, his mindset, his preparations, what he's done, in
terms of embracing his tahamudia you know, a lot more
during this camp to get him in the right mind space,
spiritual space. So I get a real sense of confidence
from him that he feels he is, you know, has
the goods to get the better of Pantosa if he
just does his best.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
So what is his best strategy. We'll talk about Pantoja
in a sec but what is what is Kai cal
of France's best strategy for winning this fight?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Well, I would say his hands. He has very heavy hands.
He is one of the most prolific knock out artists
of the flyweight division, which is rare because he's a
little guys. No offense where you usually see you know,
more movement, being more agile, being more mobile. With Kai
is those things as well. But if he gets his
hands on you, it can be lights out very early.
And you know, a couple of his past the oponents
(02:06):
in his last five fights have been victim to that.
Whereas Pantosa he likes to you know, pace himself a
little bit more. So I think that would work in
Kai's favor, that if he can get close enough to
touch him, like we saw improoved against Steve Uzig.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
It could be lights out for Pantosa.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
You're right, though, Rav. You know they're fifty seven kilos,
these guys. There's nothing to them, is there? You know
they are, But they're just just pocket rockets, aren't they.
What What kind of fight do we normally get in
a flywait battle? What can we expect when these two
hit the octagon?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Well, I'm not sure if the fight's going to go
the whole five rounds.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Alessandro Pantosa is a specialist of taking fighters into deep
waters in those five rounds.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
He's obviously the champion.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
This is his fourth title defense, so he is used
to fighting these five rounds. The opponents he comes up
against are only used to three, so he knows that
his advantage because he's condition, is to take them through
the five. So I'm thinking Kai might not want to
go that deep, but I think he has the tools
to do that if he needs to.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Alexander Pantosa he all so he gets touched a lot.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
He's willing to take it to get inside to give
them So that's why I feel that that works in
Kai Kuitt France's favor because he has very heavy hands,
but at the same time, Pantosa is very aware of this.
Pantosa is very sturdy on the ground as well. With
Brazilian jiu jitsu. Doesn't use it too often, but he
may have to if he feels the power of Kai
(03:28):
Kutter France.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
You forget that Kai Katter France has been around for
a while too, you know. I think these two four
to twenty sixteen, that's going back a long way, and
I'm sure a lot has changed in nine years watching
him develop. You talked about his development as a human
being before, but what have you noticed from him in
his development as a fighter.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Absolutely, his strength has gone tenfold. Here is a much
stronger fighter than he was. When you think back to
twenty sixteen. You know, he was a young man, you know,
almost a child, you know, of sorts in terms of
his body, in terms of his growth maturity.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Both physically and mentally.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
So now he's a man, very sure of himself, very
confident in his abilities, and with that has come strengthen
those facets of you know, backing himself with his hands.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
He's always had them, but now he knows how to
use them to the full potential.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
So I think that's the difference, is that He's really matured,
both physically and mentally.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I can't wait to see this this afternoon. Carla France
against Pantoja. What are the other features of UFC three
one seven?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh, you can't stare away from the main event. Charles
Olivera up against Ilia Taperia. Taperia's come up from the
lightweight from the featherweight division. Sorry, he was the champion
and now he's coming for the lightweight title.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Charles Olivia was a former.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Champion and the belt is now vacant, so it'll be
interesting to see who walks away victorious. Will it be
the old experienced head of Charles Olivia or will it
be the new generational fighter in Ilia Taperia. Find that
very very intriguing.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
There's also another flyweight fight on.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
That card, Brandon Rouval up against Joshua Van Brandon Royval
is the number one seed in the flyweight division and
he told us the week that he needs kai kind
of France to win this fight so that he can
have another title shot, because Pantoso has beaten him in
the past. So there's a lot at stake in terms
of the flyaway math and.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
What happens between Pantosia and Kai Kutter France as well.
So a few cool little things to look out for.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Absolutely and part of the week's activities inductions into the
UFC Hall of Fame, including a fighter pretty well known
to us, that's.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Right, yep, as well at this on you What a
bonus to be able to come over here and not
only watch you know, Kai Kita France go to war today,
but to also watch Israel at this on your you know,
his fight be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
We have course got to catch up with him as well,
and in his typical fashion, we didn't really talk much
about him and his induction. You know, he's known the
(05:51):
news for a little while now. I think the novelty
maybe wore off a little bit until he was up
on stage with Calvin Gastoline, but he just went on
and on, you know, about the pride that he has
in Kai Kutter France and the you know, the true
reason why he's here this weekend. But that's just the
reflection on this team, on the force that has come
into Las Vegas.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
We look up at the billboards on the strip.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
We've got Kai kind of France on one side, and
we've got Israel at this on your Hall of Fame.
On the other I've you know, never thought in a
million years on my first trip to Las Vegas. Obviously
Kili's lighting up the Las Vegas strip. But here we
are and it's a great thing to see.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
And did you think in a million years that you
would get to meet Shaquille O'Neil on the red carpet?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Did that even happen? It still feels like a blur.
He is absolutely hilarious though. It was really cool, and
we saw him walking, I mean, you can't miss him.
We see him walking down the red carpet, you know,
and we're like, oh, we don't know if he's there
for interviews because you know, we're there for the fighters,
or if he's going to stop him and chat with us.
And then you know, when the media girl tapped me
(06:48):
on the show, oh would you like to talk to check?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
And I'm like, oh my goodness, my heart dropped on
you know, I'm in a dress, I've got makeup on us,
that's sweating.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I just don't know what to do, don't know where
to look. And then there he was standing there right
beside me. I was like, Okay, let's have a card
it or let's do it.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I absolutely loved it, honestly, so authentic. It was just
so cool for you to get the chance to chat
to them. That's the that's the benefit of being in Vegas.
You never know, never know who is going to turn
up by UFC three one seven on pay per view
on Sky Arena from two o'clock this afternoon. Revender, your
coverage is absolutely superbos always appreciate you taking time to
chat to us this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Thank you so much. Enjoy the fights team.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
We definitely will. Revender Huneye are out of Las Vegas.
UFC three to one seven Best Guests on when Chai
Cutter France will be in the octagon to face Alexander
Pantoja for the usc flyweight title is some time after four.
That's about as as exact as we can get at
the moment. You know what happens with these things. They
(07:47):
tend to get pushed back and it depends on how
long the undercard goes for et cetera. But sometime after four,
Chai Cutter France will be in the ring in the
octagon to take on Alexander Pantoja for the UFC flyweight title.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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