UFC 317 Preview: Two Title Fights Set for International Fight Week

Published by Paul Browne on June 26, 2025

Everything You Need to Know About UFC 317: Full Main Card Breakdown

International Fight Week has arrived, and as always, the UFC is marking the occasion with a massive pay-per-view event. UFC 317 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday, featuring two title fights at the top of the card.

The vacant UFC lightweight title is on the line in the main event, as former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria moves up to face Charles Oliveira. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja looks to defend his flyweight title against the always-dangerous Kai Kara-France.

Let’s take a look at all of this weekend’s main card action:

Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira (UFC Lightweight Championship)

Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) aims to become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes while maintaining an undefeated record. Known for his 88% UFC finish rate, “El Matador” has become one of the most dangerous strikers on the roster.

He previously fought at 155 pounds, scoring a second-round knockout over Jai Herbert at UFC London in 2022—though he was dropped early in that bout, raising questions about his durability in the higher weight class.

Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) enters his third fight for a vacant UFC title, the most in promotional history. “Do Bronx” has a chance to become the first-ever two-time undisputed UFC lightweight champion. He also holds the records for most finishes, most submissions, and most Performance of the Night bonuses in UFC history.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France (UFC Flyweight Championship)

Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has the chance to set the record for most wins in UFC flyweight history when he faces Kai Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event.

Currently tied with Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez with 13 wins, “The Cannibal” can also break the tie with Johnson and Deiveson Figueiredo for most stoppage wins (7) in flyweight history.

Pantoja is riding a seven-fight win streak and has already defended the title three times. He faces Kara-France in a rematch of their 2016 bout on The Ultimate Fighter: Season 24, which Pantoja won by decision.

Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van (Flyweight)

Joshua Van (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) gets a quick turnaround after his brutal knockout of Bruno Silva at UFC 316 last month. The 23-year-old Myanmar native steps in for the injured Manel Kape to face former title challenger Brandon Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC).

Van, who holds the highest significant strike rate in UFC history (8.2 per minute), is on a four-fight win streak since his lone UFC loss just 11 months ago.

Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano (Lightweight)

Two seasoned lightweights clash as Beneil Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) faces Renato Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC).

Dariush hasn’t won since defeating Mateusz Gamrot in October 2022. He’s suffered back-to-back first-round losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan.

Moicano returns for the first time since his short-notice title fight loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. Before that, “Money” had won five straight and is 7-2 at lightweight since moving up in 2019.

Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima (Bantamweight)

Rising bantamweight Payton Talbott (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) looks to rebound from the first loss of his UFC career, suffered against Raoni Barcelos in January. He faces surging former OKTAGON champion Felipe Lima (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who’s coming off UFC wins over Muhammad Naimov and Miles Johns.