Get ready for a pivotal night in combat sports. UFC 317 descends upon the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The headline bout features a high-stakes clash for the vacant lightweight championship. Former featherweight king Ilia Topuria steps up in weight. He takes on former lightweight ruler Charles oliveira. This main event showdown promises fireworks.
Ilia Topuria aims for rare UFC history. He seeks to become just the 10th fighter to win titles in two different divisions. Topuria enters this fight undefeated with a pristine 16-0 record. He recently vacated his featherweight belt. That move set the stage for this shot at lightweight gold. Topuria is considered the second-best pound-for-pound fighter by some rankings. His rise has been meteoric, highlighted by recent knockout victories over legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. The Georgian-Spanish star previously tested the lightweight waters in 2022. He scored a knockout win over Jai Herbert. Now, he challenges one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history for the 155-pound strap.
Charles Oliveira is a true UFC record holder. “Do Bronx” boasts the most finishes (20), most submissions (16), and most post-fight bonuses (20) in the promotion. The Brazilian legend aims to reclaim the lightweight title he lost to Islam Makhachev. Oliveira previously held the belt from 2021 to 2022. He was stripped ahead of a defense due to missing weight. Oliveira comes into this fight on a four-fight winning streak, most recently defeating Michael Chandler by unanimous decision. From 2018 to 2022, he was on an incredible 11-fight tear, including championship stoppages of Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. Oliveira brings a professional record of 35 wins, 10 losses, and 1 no contest into the octagon. At 35, he seeks to add another chapter to his storied career.
Co-Main Event and Main Card Lineup
The championship action doesn’t stop with the main event. The co-main event features a thrilling flyweight title defense. Champion Alexandre Pantoja puts his belt on the line against Kai Kara-France. This is a rematch of their 2016 fight on The Ultimate Fighter. Pantoja, ranked No. 4 pound-for-pound by some outlets, has been dominant. He’s riding a seven-fight win streak since 2021. Pantoja captured the title from Brandon Moreno and has successfully defended it three times. This marks his fourth defense attempt. Kara-France earned his second shot at UFC gold. He scored a first-round knockout over Steve Erceg in his previous outing. The co-main event is set for five rounds.
The main card features several other pivotal matchups. In the lightweight division, ranked contenders Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano square off. Dariush is ranked No. 10, while Moicano holds the No. 7 spot. This bout has significant title picture implications.
A crucial flyweight contest sees Brandon Royval face off against Joshua Van. Royval is the No. 2 ranked flyweight. Van steps in on short notice after a knockout win at UFC 316 just three weeks prior. This matchup is seen as a potential No. 1 contender bout in the stacked flyweight division.
Rounding out the main card is a bantamweight showdown. Payton Talbott meets Felipe Lima. Lima enters the fight undefeated since 2015. This presents a tough test for Talbott.
Expert Predictions and Betting Odds
Analysis from MMA experts leans heavily towards Ilia Topuria in the main event. Many foresee an early finish. Alexander Volkanovski highlighted Topuria’s movement and ability to exploit openings. ESPN’s Anthony Smith pointed to Topuria’s superior boxing technique. He also noted Topuria’s strong defensive responsibility, citing his fight against Josh Emmett. Smith believes Topuria’s technical skills could lead to significant damage, even if the fight goes to the ground.
Forbes’ Trent Reinsmith advised Charles Oliveira to avoid striking at close range. He emphasized Topuria’s powerful close-quarters attack and finishing ability. Reinsmith suggested Oliveira must maintain distance. However, Oliveira hasn’t consistently shown a willingness to fight primarily from the outside recently.
Betting odds reflect this expert consensus. BetMGM listed Ilia Topuria as a significant favorite (-450). Charles Oliveira was listed as the underdog (+325).
How to Watch UFC 317
UFC 317 is a pay-per-view event. The action unfolds in multiple stages. The Early Prelims begin at 7 p.m. ET. These bouts stream on UFC Fight Pass. The Preliminary Card follows at 8 p.m. ET. You can catch these fights on ESPN. They also stream on ESPN+ and Disney+. The Main Card, featuring the championship bouts, starts at 10 p.m. ET. This portion requires an ESPN+ Pay-Per-View purchase.
Accessing the main card requires an ESPN+ subscription. The service costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 annually. The additional pay-per-view fee for UFC 317 is $79.99. International broadcast partners include DAZN in various countries. Coverage times vary globally, but the main event is expected around 12:30 AM ET in the USA on June 29th (late Saturday night/early Sunday morning). The event is part of International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
Preliminary Card Results
The undercard for UFC 317 featured exciting bouts across different weight classes. Here are results from some of the preliminary fights that took place before the main card:
Featherweight: Jose Miguel Delgado defeated Hyder Amil via TKO in Round 1 (0:26). Delgado landed a swift knee and follow-up elbows to secure the quick finish, ending Amil’s undefeated run.
Flyweight (Women’s): Tracy Cortez defeated Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Cortez controlled significant portions of the fight with her grappling and ground control.
Lightweight: Terrance McKinney defeated Viacheslav Borshchev via submission (Guillotine choke) in Round 1 (0:55). McKinney secured a takedown quickly and transitioned to the fight-ending choke.
Welterweight: Jacobe Smith defeated Niko Price via submission (Rear-naked choke) in Round 2 (4:03). This marked Smith’s first submission victory and kept his professional record unblemished.
- Heavyweight: Jhonata Diniz defeated Alvin Hines via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Diniz secured the win in Hines’ UFC debut.
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Other preliminary card bouts included Middleweight Jack Hermansson vs. Gregory Rodrigues and a Heavyweight fight featuring Jhonata Diniz vs. Austin Hines (also listed as Alvin Hines). A Middleweight fight between Jackson McVey and Christopher Ewert was cancelled due to Ewert missing weight. These preliminary fights set the stage for the highly anticipated main card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key stakes for Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira at UFC 317?
The main event is for the vacant UFC lightweight title. Ilia Topuria, a former featherweight champion and undefeated fighter, is moving up a weight class aiming to become a rare two-division champion. Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight king, is seeking to reclaim the belt he previously held, add to his significant UFC records (most finishes, most submissions), and cement his legacy by becoming a two-time champion.
How can I watch the UFC 317 main card featuring Topuria vs. Oliveira?
The UFC 317 main card is exclusively available through ESPN+ Pay-Per-View in the United States. You need an ESPN+ subscription ($10.99/month or $109.99/year) plus the additional PPV purchase ($79.99). The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Why are experts predicting Ilia Topuria to win against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317?
Expert analysis often highlights Ilia Topuria’s technical precision, particularly his striking and boxing defense. His undefeated record (16-0) and recent dominant wins over top featherweights like Volkanovski and Holloway contribute to this view. Experts point to his movement, power, and ability to find openings. Despite Oliveira’s submission prowess, some analysts believe Topuria’s technical superiority makes him the favorite, especially if the fight stays standing or hits the ground in a controlled manner. Betting odds also position Topuria as a significant favorite.
Conclusion
UFC 317 delivered a night of compelling fights from Las Vegas. The main event featuring Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title was the undeniable highlight, promising a clash of elite skills and high stakes. With a loaded main card including title defenses and potential No. 1 contender bouts, plus exciting preliminary action already underway, the event showcased top talent across multiple divisions. Fans tuned in via ESPN+ PPV and other platforms to witness the outcomes unfold and see who would emerge victorious in the octagon. The results of the main card fights are eagerly anticipated as the night progresses.
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