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UFC 317 predictions: Topuria or Oliveira, Pantoja\u00a0or Kara-France\u00a0in Vegas title fights?

UFC 317 predictions: Topuria or Oliveira, Pantoja\u00a0or Kara-France\u00a0in Vegas title fights?

USA Today19 hours ago

Vacant lightweight, flyweight titles on the line to close International Fight Week
The UFC hosts another International Fight Week in 'Sin City' with a multi-title pay-per-view.
UFC 317 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.
Felipe Lima vs. Payton Talbott
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France
Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Individual staff member picks, main card
Readers 85-53: Topuria (63%), (Pantoja 82%), (Van 52%), Moicano (60%), Lima (56%)
Preliminary card picks
Although they don't count toward the standings, MMA Junkie staff members still pick the fights on the prelims. Here are the results:

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Ilia Topuria KOs Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Wins Lightweight Belt to Become Two-Division Champion (Video) originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a historic night at UFC 317, Ilia Topuria solidified his place among MMA's elite by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round to claim the vacant lightweight title. The undefeated Spaniard, moving up from featherweight, needed just over two minutes to dismantle the former Brazilian champion, becoming the UFC's 10th two-division titleholder in stunning fashion. Advertisement The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas erupted as Topuria's pinpoint striking proved too much for Oliveira, who had never been finished so quickly in his career. From the opening bell, Topuria showcased the boxing mastery that has defined his meteoric rise. Oliveira attempted an early takedown but was shrugged off by Topuria, who then hip-tossed the Brazilian to the canvas in a display of surprising grappling dominance. Back on the feet, Topuria's jab began to find its mark, setting up the fight-ending sequence. A crushing overhand right followed by a left hook sent Oliveira crashing to the mat, and follow-up hammerfists sealed the deal at 2:27 of Round 1, leaving no doubt about the new king at 155 pounds. Advertisement Here is the finishing sequence: The victory marks Topuria's second UFC title in just 16 months, having previously dethroned Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight strap before vacating it to pursue lightweight gold. His knockout of Oliveira joins a highlight reel that already includes his aforementioned knockout over Volkanovski, and his iconic third-round stoppage of Max Holloway—the first time Holloway had ever been knocked out in MMA. At 28 years old, Topuria's precision, power, and fight IQ may make him the sport's best pound-for-pound fighter today. "El Matador" silenced doubters with a performance that echoed his pre-fight confidence. Advertisement Topuria also fulfilled his prediction when he said in an interview with Ariel Helwani, 'I'm going to finish him in the first round.' For Oliveira, the loss is a brutal setback in his long and storied career. 'Do Bronx,' who holds the record for most UFC finishes, had no answer for Topuria's speed and power. Topuria's win sparks immediate speculation about his next move. With Islam Makhachev vacating the lightweight belt to chase welterweight gold, potential matchups against contenders like Justin Gaethje or Arman Tsarukyan loom. He also faced off against Paddy Pimblett in the post-fight interview, which is not the most compelling matchup, but it is the fight that the UFC might book in order to boost ratings. Related: Dana White's Latest Update at UFC Press Conference Puts Ilia Topuria's Championship Dreams on the Line Related: UFC Champion Sounds Off on Joe Rogan Podcast: Refuses to Fight Unless Dana White Books Dream Matchup This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.

UFC 317 predictions: Topuria or Oliveira, Pantoja or Kara-France in Vegas title fights?
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The UFC hosts another International Fight Week in 'Sin City' with a multi-title pay-per-view. UFC 317 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below. Felipe Lima vs. Payton Talbott Records: Lima (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Talbott (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) Past five: Lima 5-0, Talbott 4-1 Division: Bantamweight Rankings: None Odds (as of 06.28.25): Lima -180, Talbott +150 Junkie pick results: Talbott 7 , Lima 4 Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima faceoff, UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano Records: Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC), Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) Past five: Dariush 3-2, Moicano 4-1 Division: Lightweight Rankings: Dariush 8, Moicano 12 Odds (as of 06.28.25): Dariush +135, Moicano -160 Junkie pick results: Moicano 7, Dariush 4 Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano faceoff, UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van Records: Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC), Van (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) Past five: Royval 4-1, Van 4-1 Division: Flyweight Rankings: Royval No. 3, Van No. 15 Odds (as of 06.28.25): Royval -125, Van +105 Junkie pick results: Royval 7, Van 4 Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van faceoff, UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France Records: Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC), Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC) Past five: Pantoja 5-0, Kara-France 3-2 Division: Flyweight Rankings: Pantoja No. 1, No. 3 pound-for-pound; Kara-France No. 8 Odds (as of 06.28.25): Pantoja -265, Kara-France +215 Junkie pick results: Pantoja 9, Kara-France 2 Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France faceoff, UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira Records: Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) Past five: Topuria 5-0, Oliveira 3-2 Division: Lightweight Rankings: Topuria No. 1 featherweight, No. 5 pound-for-pound; Oliveira No. 3 Odds (as of 06.28.25): Topuria -425, Oliveira +330 Junkie pick results: Topuria 10, Oliveira 1 Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira faceoff, UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins Individual staff member picks, main card Readers 85-53: Topuria (63%), (Pantoja 82%), (Van 52%), Moicano (60%), Lima (56%) Advertisement Nolan King 88-50: Topuria, Pantoja, Van, Moicano, Lima Farah Hannoun 88-50: Topuria, Pantoja, Royval, Dariush, Talbott Mike Bohn 87-51: Topuria, Pantoja, Royval, Dariush, Lima Ken Hathaway 86-52: Topuria, Pantoja, Van, Moicano, Talbott Abbey Subhan 86-52: Topuria, Pantoja, Royval, Moicano, Talbott Simon Samano 83-55: Topuria, Kara-France, Van, Moicano, Lima Matt Erickson 82-56: Topuria, Kara-France, Van, Moicano, Talbott Brian Garcia 81-57: Topuria, Pantoja, Royval, Dariush, Talbott Danny Segura 81-57: Topuria, Pantoja, Royval, Moicano, Talbott Matthew Wells 76-62: Topuria, Pantoja, Royval, Moicano, Talbott George Garcia 75-63: Oliveira, Pantoja, Royval, Dariush, Lima Preliminary card picks Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez faceoff, UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-ins Although they don't count toward the standings, MMA Junkie staff members still pick the fights on the prelims. Here are the results: Jack Hermansson vs. Gregory Rodrigues: Hermansson 10, Rodrigues 1 Hyder Amil vs. Jose Delgado: Amil 11, Delgado Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez: Cortez 9, Araujo 2 Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Terrance McKinney: McKinny 7, Borschev 4 Niko Price vs. Jacobe Smith: Smith 9, Price 2 Jhonata Diniz vs. Alvin Hines: Diniz 10, Hines 1 This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 317 predictions: Topuria vs. Oliveira, Pantoja vs. Kara-France

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