A thrilling showdown is looming as the UFC lightweight division prepares to crown a new king. The spotlight will shine brightly on Ilia Topuria, the undefeated former featherweight titleholder, as he steps up to challenge the formidable former 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira. This fight for the vacant lightweight crown is scheduled for UFC 317: TOPURIA vs OLIVEIRA, taking place on Saturday, June 28 at the T-Mobile Arena.
Fight night will kick off with prelims at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass, and Disney+, before the main card commences at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The event promises to captivate fans both in the arena and at home, with a lineup that’s sure to deliver high-octane action.
Ilia Topuria (16-0, fighting out of Alicante, Spain) is on a quest to etch his name in the history books as the 10th athlete to hold championships in two UFC divisions. Known for his well-rounded skill set, Topuria has showcased his striking power and grappling finesse through memorable finishes over prominent fighters like Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski, and Bryce Mitchell. He enters this bout not only to conquer the lightweight division but to do so in an explosive manner against a seasoned and dangerous opponent.
On the opposing end, Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) is determined to thwart Topuria’s ambitions, aiming to hand him his first career loss. A decorated grappler and submission artist, Oliveira has amassed a collection of thrilling victory highlights, including submission wins over elite competitors like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Jim Miller. With aspirations to become the first two-time lightweight champion in UFC history, Oliveira is set on putting on a performance that resonates deeply with fans and cements his legacy.
Another highly anticipated matchup on the card will see UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (29-5, fighting out of Arraial Do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) defend his title against fellow The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 castmate and No. 4 ranked contender Kai Kara-France (25-11, 1 NC, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand). Pantoja is looking to secure his fourth consecutive title defense, recognized for his submission mastery and the exciting finishes he has delivered in his career.
In his last outing, Kara-France displayed his striking prowess, most recently executing a spectacular KO against Steve Erceg. Known for his heavy hands, he also boasts notable victories over fighters like Askar Askarov and Cody Garbrandt. Kara-France is poised to dethrone Pantoja, fueled by the dream of capturing the coveted UFC championship.
The event card features several other compelling matchups, including:
- No. 9 ranked lightweight contender Beneil Dariush (22-6-1, fighting out of Yorba Linda, Calif.) facing off against No. 10 Renato Moicano (20-6-1, fighting out of Brasília, Brazil).
- No. 1 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval (17-7, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) battling No. 6 Manel Kape (21-7, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand by way of Porto, Portugal).
- No. 12 ranked middleweight contender Paulo Costa (14-4, fighting out of Contagem, MG, Brazil) squaring off with No. 14 Roman Kopylov (14-3, fighting out of Bachatsky, Kemerovo, Russia).
- Jack Hermansson (24-8, fighting out of Oslo, Norway, by way of Uddevalla, Sweden) taking on Gregory Rodrigues (16-6, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) in a middleweight bout.
- Jhonata Diniz (9-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) competing against Justin Tafa (7-5, 1 NC, fighting out of Brisbane, Australia) in a heavyweight clash.
- No. 8 ranked flyweight contender Viviane Araujo (13-6, fighting out of Brasilia, DF, Brazil) facing off with No. 10 Tracy Cortez (13-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.).
For those eager to witness this epic night of fights, tickets for UFC 317 are now available for purchase at AXS.com, with a limit of eight tickets per person. Fans can expect a night filled with breathtaking athleticism, dramatic finishes, and a display of the very best that mixed martial arts has to offer, as fighters put everything on the line in pursuit of glory.
Media members wishing to apply for fight week credentials can do so here. For the latest updates on additional bouts and event details, be sure to visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change, promising an electric atmosphere that fans will not want to miss.
