The UFC 317 card promises a thrilling night of mixed martial arts action live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday the 29th of June (South African time). Below, we take a closer look at the Main Event and two entertaining, supporting bouts, offering up some suggested bets for your consideration.
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ILIA TOPURIA vs CHARLES OLIVEIRA
Lightweight Main Event – Vacant Title Fight
Ilia Topuria, fighting out of Georgia, is an undefeated phenom who rocketed his way through the UFC’s featherweight rankings. With a perfect 16-0 career record, he’s known for his clean striking and explosiveness, as well as his submission skills.
Topuria has fought under the institution since 2020, currently with 8 fights behind him of which he has won them all. He claimed the featherweight title in February last year and then defended it against Max Holloway in October via a round 3 knockout win.
He moves up to lightweight this weekend, with his eyes set on the title after Makhachev vacated it to chase his Welterweight dream.
Charles Oliveira, Brazil’s grappling veteran, is a former lightweight champion with a lengthy UFC career. With 35 wins and 10 losses as a professional fighter, he is one of the most dangerous opponents on the ground and boasts the most submission victories in UFC history at 16.
Since losing the title to Makhachev in 2022, he has stepped in the octagon 3 times, winning 2 while losing 1. His most recent action was against Michael Chandler in November at UFC 309 where he won by decision after a 5-round battle.
BETTING – click here to bet
Topuria 1.25
Oliveira 4.30
PREDICTION:
While Topuria enters as the favorite, Oliveira’s experience and ground game should not be underestimated. I think this will be a close fight early on, but Topuria will walk away with a round 2 knockout win.
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA vs KAI KARA-FRANCE
Flyweight Co-Main Event – Title Fight
Alexandre Pantoja, the reigning flyweight champion from Brazil, holds an impressive UFC record of 13-3. He possesses high level stamina, and he is dangerous on the canvas, which has led to Pantoja establishing dominance over the division, this weekend he plans on defending his belt once again.
It is important to note that he has not lost a fight since 2021 and currently sits on a 7-fight winning streak, with his last 4 bouts being title fights. The most recent was a defense against Kai Asakura where he won by round 2 submission in December.
Kai Kara-France, fighting out of New Zealand, is a fast and explosive striker with solid takedown defense and 25 total wins under his belt. Although he has had a successful career, he has little experience in 5-round battles but will be looking to shock the champ with his precise striking and durability
Since making his debut with the UFC in 2018 he has met with 12 opponents, winning 8 of these fights while losing the other 4. His latest test was against Steve Erceg in August when he beat him with a round 1 knockout to receive a shot at the belt this weekend.
BETTING – click here to bet
Pantoja 1.44
Kara-France 2.95
PREDICTION:
I am expecting a competitive bout, but Pantoja’s grappling advantage should prevail. I am picking a Pantoja victory by submission in Round 4.
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BRANDON ROYVAL vs JOSHUA VAN
Flyweight Bout:
Brandon Royval, representing the USA, is a top contender in the flyweight division with a record of 7-3 in the UFC, notably he has beaten some skilled opposition. He’s known for his unpredictable style and high submission threat, always pushing the pace no matter who he faces off against.
He has fought twice since his title shot loss to Pantoja in 2023, winning both bouts by split decision with the most recent being his meeting with Tatsuro Taira in October.
Joshua Van, also fighting out of the USA, enters this weekend with 7 wins to his name and just a singular loss. He is talented in the field of technical striking, however his grappling is improving rapidly.
Van is stepping into deeper waters against Royval but brings knockout power and confidence into this bout after his knockout win over Bruno Silva in round 3 roughly a year ago.
BETTING – click here to bet
Royval 2.05
Van 1.80
PREDICTION:
This could go either way, but Royval’s experience at a higher level gives him the edge in my opinion, I believe Royval takes this by decision after a back-and-forth war.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Topuria vs Oliveira
Topuria to win in round 2 at 4.75
Pantoja vs Kara-France
Pantoja by submission at 3.25
Royval vs Van
Royval by decision at 3.00
The win treble works out at 3.69 and all 3 of my bets to land is an ambitious 46.31
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
