Date: Saturday, June 28th | Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | Watch: ESPN / ESPN+ / Disney+ / UFC Fight Pass
Every year, UFC’s International Fight Week serves as a celebration of combat sports — a showcase of elite talent, rising stars, and unforgettable moments. UFC 317 is no exception. This year’s stacked card is brimming with divisional implications, thrilling style clashes, and two world championship fights that promise fireworks. Headlining the action is the lightweight title showdown between undefeated sensation Ilia Topuria and former champion Charles Oliveira. In the co-main event, flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja defends his belt in a high-stakes rematch with heavy-hitter Kai Kara-France.
Main Event: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Vacant UFC Lightweight Championship
The 155-pound throne is once again up for grabs, and UFC 317 delivers a captivating clash between two of the sport’s most dangerous finishers.
Ilia Topuria (15-0) is riding the wave of superstardom. After a breakout 2024 campaign in which he captured the featherweight title with a stunning knockout of Alexander Volkanovski and followed it up by dismantling Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi, the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard now seeks a rare feat — becoming a simultaneous two-division UFC champion. Known for his lethal boxing, granite chin, and underrated ground game, Topuria’s move up to lightweight poses big questions: Will his power and speed translate? Can he handle the size and experience of elite 155ers?
Standing in his way is the battle-hardened Brazilian finisher Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC), the former lightweight champ and all-time UFC submission leader. “Do Bronx” has made a living off defying expectations, and after a close loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, he returned with a vintage performance against Michael Chandler at UFC 309. That win tied him with Donald Cerrone and Andrei Arlovski for the second-most UFC victories (24), and now he’s aiming to make history again by reclaiming the lightweight belt — becoming the first man to do so twice.
This is a fight filled with tactical intrigue. Can Topuria impose his precise boxing without getting tangled in Oliveira’s lethal submissions? Will Oliveira’s pressure and veteran savvy force Topuria into deep waters he’s never faced before?
Either way, don’t blink — both men are finishers, and this one likely won’t need the judges.
Co-Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France
UFC Flyweight Championship
A rematch nearly a decade in the making, the flyweight title is on the line as Alexandre Pantoja (28-5) defends against Kai Kara-France (26-11, 1 NC) in a compelling striker-versus-grappler showdown.
These two first met in 2016 during The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions, with Pantoja securing a dominant decision win. Fast forward nine years, and both have evolved into world-class threats.
Pantoja, now 35, has grown into one of the UFC’s most reliable champions. Since claiming the belt in a razor-thin decision over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 — also during International Fight Week — he’s defended it three times, most recently steamrolling Kai Asakura at UFC 310. Known for his suffocating ground game and gritty durability, Pantoja thrives in chaotic exchanges and drags opponents into his world.
Kai Kara-France, the hard-hitting Kiwi from City Kickboxing, is back for his second title shot after falling short against Moreno for the interim title in 2022. His comeback fight was emphatic: a first-round knockout of Steve Erceg in Perth that reminded fans of his explosive power and crisp striking. With a renewed sense of purpose and sharpened takedown defense, Kara-France believes the time is now.
The X-factor will be control. If Pantoja can get the fight to the mat, he could smother Kara-France with relentless grappling. But if “Don’t Blink” keeps it standing, his clean combinations and knockout power could lead to a title-changing moment.
Undercard Highlights
The undercard at UFC 317 is nothing short of electric, featuring a balance of seasoned veterans and rising talent with major divisional implications:
- Sean Brady vs. Vicente Luque (Welterweight): A clash of styles with the grappling-heavy Brady looking to get back on track against the always-dangerous Luque.
- Natalia Silva vs. Amanda Ribas (Women’s Flyweight): Two top-10 Brazilian contenders collide in a potential Fight of the Night.
- Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Ricky Turcios (Bantamweight): Teenage phenom Rosas Jr. takes another step up against TUF winner Turcios in a test of composure and cardio.
UFC 317 is everything fans expect from International Fight Week — high stakes, elite talent, and must-see moments. With Topuria chasing double-champ status and Oliveira gunning for redemption, the main event could shape the lightweight division’s future for years to come. Meanwhile, Pantoja and Kara-France will settle old business with gold on the line.
From top to bottom, this is one of the most complete cards of the year. Buckle up — Vegas is about to witness a night to remember.
