UFC 317 Odds: Topuria vs. Oliveira Showdown

A bout between undefeated Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight belt headlines the scheduled 11-fight UFC 317 ticket on Saturday, June 28. Coming off back-to-back knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in defense of his featherweight strap, Topuria moves up a division and is heavily favored on the UFC betting odds. A veteran of 46 career UFC fights, Oliveira is a former lightweight champion having the title stripped when he missed weight for a duel with Justin Gaethje in 2022. Looking to reclaim the title Oliveira lost via submission to Islam Makhachev later that year. He gets another shot at the title after Makhachev vacated the title to move up to the welterweight division.

UFC 317 – Topuria vs. Oliveira

The lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria (16-0, 8 SUBs) and Charles Oliveira (35-10, 21 SUBs) headlines UFC 317, which takes place on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. In the co-main event Alexandre Pantoja (29-5, 11 SUBs) defends his flyweight title against challenger Kai Kara-France (25-11, 12 KOs). Nine additional fights are on the scheduled card. The main card is available on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

Topuria vs. Oliveira Fight Preview

Changing weight classes and winning another belt isn’t easy to do. There wasn’t much left for Topuria to accomplish as a featherweight, though, so the move was inevitable. He’s won all 16 of his professional fights with the second half of those coming in the UFC. He won his first six fights inside the Octagon with the last five by stoppage earning a shot at the title. He ended Volkanovski with a flurry of punches in the second round and defended the title last October with a third-round KO of Holloway.

Not long after his last fight Topuria surrendered the featherweight belt making the move to lightweight. His first fight in the new division isn’t a gimme, though UFC odds suggest otherwise. An expert grappler, Oliveira can contain the hard-throwing Topuria with strategic clenches. Oliveira owns the UFC record for most submission wins and most finishes. He won the vacant lightweight title in 2021 with a TKO of Michael Chandler but forfeited the title by missing weight in his next fight against Justin Gaethje.

Another title fight precedes the main event with Pantoja favored on the early UFC betting odds to retain his belt. Pantoja has won his last seven fights, including a split decision over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 to win the flyweight belt. He has successfully defended three times, most recently with a submission of Kai Asakura at UFC 310 last December.

The hope is that this fight finally takes place since it was scheduled for both UFC 314 and UFC 316. For Kara-France the delays have meant inactivity with only one fight in the last two years. Kara-France stopped Steve Erceg with punches at UFC 305 ending a two-fight losing streak. The two actually fought nearly a decade ago in season 24 of the Ultimate Fighter with Pantoja winning a two-round unanimous decision.

Bet UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira

With 11 fights on the UFC 317 ticket there are plenty of betting options. However, with little information available on fighters partaking in the early prelims it might be wise to avoid those. However, with in-depth research on the lesser known fighters bettors could gain insight and have an edge over sportsbooks.

With a varied skill set Topuria has an edge in the main event. He faces an opponent that is tactically strong and has success when grappling. However, Topuria is equally skilled in that method and a stronger striker with a boxing background. Moving up a division could be harmful to some fighters, but Topuria has had this planned for some time and will make the most of his first opportunity.

Prime UFC Pick

It’s easy to underestimate a fighter’s motivation and just look at their record. Topuria has the results and the motivation. And he’s one of the most well rounded fighters in the UFC. With a jiu-jitsu background he dedicated himself to become a better stand-up fighter and showed how that part of his game has improved with KO victories in his last two fights. If Oliveira can’t get Topuria to the ground the fight is over.