International Fight Week for the UFC comes to a close on June 28 with UFC 317. The event will see two titles on the line, with the main event being Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title.
Topuria (16-0) is the former UFC featherweight champion who relinquished the belt to move to lightweight. The Georgian and Spanish fighter beat fan favorites Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway via knockout. He looks to do the same against Oliveira, win gold, and potentially move on to other money fights fights down the road.
Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) is 2-2 in his last four contests. The former lightweight champion looks to hold gold again. The Brazilian has beaten a who’s who of fighters in the octagon, and the future UFC Hall of Famer is prepared to do whatever it takes to end Topuria’s momentum.
The co-main event will see Alexandre Pantoja defend the UFC flyweight title against Kai Kara-France. Pantoja (29-5) is on a seven-fight win streak, successfully defending the flyweight title three times.
Kara-France (25-11, 1 NC) is 2-2 in his last four fights. The New Zealand-born fighter beat former contender Steve Erceg after failing to capture interim gold.
Other fighters on the card include Joshua Van, Beneil Dariush, Jack Hermansson, Tracy Cortez, and more.
With the help of the FanDuel Sportsbook, The Sporting News makes predictions on the entire card at UFC 317.
UFC 317 expert picks and full card predictions
Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Ilia Topuria is the -430 favorite, while Charles Oliveira is the +320 underdog.
Topuria lands 4.69 significant strikes per minute and has a 47% strike accuracy mark. He also averages 2.02 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Oliveira lands 3.40 significant strikes, has a strike accuracy mark of 55%, and averages 2.25 takedowns.
“El Matador” rolled past Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway and exudes confidence. Some call it cocky, but the calm Topuria has backed it all up. Oliveira holds multiple UFC records, including most submission (16) wins and most finishes (20). The Brazilian has beaten some of the best fighters of his era, as well as Father Time.
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The 35-year-old Oliveira has found ways to outwork his opponents. He will have a three-inch height and a five-inch reach advantage. However, Topuria, 28, is quick and efficient, pushing his opponents to the cage and grinding out punishment until they can’t take much more. He’s much better than the Michael Chandler we saw Oliveira face in November.
Oliveira hasn’t been submitted since 2022 and hasn’t been knocked out since 2017. However, Topuria aims to become a two-division champion and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this goal. Oliveira will give him trouble early, but Topuria can and should overwhelm Oliveira as the fight continues.
Sporting News prediction: Topuria via TKO (round three)
Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Kai Kara-France for the UFC flyweight title
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Alexandre Pantoja is the -245 favorite, while Kai Kara-France is the +194 underdog.
Pantoja lands 4.41 significant strikes per minute and has a 50% strike accuracy mark. He averages 2.74 takedowns landed per minute. Kara-France lands 4.56 significant strikes and averages 0.61 takedowns landed. He has a strike accuracy mark of 39%.
When they faced off on The Ultimate Fighter in 2016, Pantoja won via unanimous decision. The champion is massive at flyweight, and his skills seem effortless in the division. Both are well-rounded fighters. Pantoja beat Steve Erceg via his wrestling, while Kara-France used his power against him.
Pantoja can take the fight to the canvas, or he can force Kara-France back while standing. Kara-France is dynamic, but Pantoja is on another level. While Kara-France has stuffed takedowns, can he do the same against someone elite on all fronts?
Flyweights always deliver. There’s a chance the fight could go the distance, but The Sporting News believes Pantoja will make a point here and put away Kara-France early.
Sporting News prediction: Pantoja via submission (round two)
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van; Flyweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Joshua Van is the -134 favorite, while Brandon Royval is the +110 underdog.
Royval lands 4.46 significant strikes per minute and has a strike accuracy mark of 39%. He’s landed triple-digit strikes in his last three fights. “Raw Dawg” also averages 0.75 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Van lands 8.20 significant strikes, hitting triple-digit shots three times in his last four fights. He has a strike accuracy mark of 54%.
The fight is a top contender bout for the flyweight title. Royval already faced Alexandre Pantoja and has won two straight following a loss. Van, 23, has quickly risen in the rankings. He’s as dangerous as they come. Even if he gets hit, he absorbs 5.26 significant strikes, Van brings it right back to his opponent.
While Royval is the more tactical fighter, Van has become a problem at flyweight with his relentless pressure. The latter has fought five times since last July, but fatigue shouldn’t play a factor. Expect Van to pick up a career-defining win.
Sporting News prediction: Van via unanimous decision
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano; Lightweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Renato Moicano is the -120 favorite, while Beneil Dariush is the -102 underdog.
A former top contender, Dariush lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.90 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. He rarely absorbs damage outside his last two fights, where he hasn’t made it out of the first round since 2020. Moicano lands 4.36 significant strikes and averages 1.82 takedowns landed.
The fight was initially scheduled for January before Moicano was offered a chance to fight for gold. It’s Dariush’s first fight since 2023, and both are up there in age. Moicano will try to damage Dariush, while the latter aims to use his wrestling to tire out his opponent. While Dariush doesn’t have the same speed as he once had, he should be able to prove he’s still a dangerous contender and grind out a win.
Sporting News prediction: Dariush via unanimous decision
Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima; Bantamweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Felipe Lima is the -188 favorite, while Payton Talbott is the +152 underdog.
Lima lands 3.50 significant strikes and averages 1.71 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Talbott lands 6.73 significant and averages 0.32 takedowns landed.
Out of the furnace and into the fire goes Talbott, who faces a tough opponent after getting knocked out against Raoni Barcelos. Talbott is susceptible to the takedown, while Lima can attack from all fronts. This fight is a chance for Talbott to prove he can back up his confidence and get back into the good graces of the UFC.
Talbott does have a two-inch reach advantage. Landing for volume, if he can come forward and provide enough pressure, he should get the win.
Sporting News prediction: Talbott via unanimous decision
Jack Hermansson vs. Gregory Rodrigues; Middleweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Gregory Rodrigues is the -230 favorite, while Jack Hermansson is the +184 underdog.
Rodrigues lands 5.60 significant strikes per minute and averages 2.31 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. He does absorb 4.95 strikes, getting knocked out by Jared Cannonier last time out. Hermansson has landed triple-digit strikes three times in his previous four contests. He lands 5.09 significant strikes.
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Rodrigues will look for a wild knockout, while Hermansson aims to showcase his durability. Both can perform well on the ground, and it’s anyone’s game on the feet. It’s Hermansson’s first fight in a year, but that shouldn’t play a factor. The Sporting News believes Hermansson can pull off a tough win.
Sporting News prediction: Hermansson via split decision
Hyder Amil vs. Jose Miguel Delgado; Featherweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Jose Delgado is the -254 favorite, while Hyder Amil is the +126 underdog.
Amil has won two fights via knockout following a run on Dana White’s Contender Series. He landed 115 significant strikes against William Gomis and averages 6.84 significant strikes landed per minute. Another DWCS alum, Delgado lands 6.50 significant strikes.
Both are going to be swinging for the fences, which could result in either (or both) getting a bonus. As far as a winner, Amil has improved each time he steps foot inside the octagon. One punch can change everything, but Amil should be the one left standing when all is said and done.
Sporting News prediction: Amil via KO (round two)
Terrance McKinney vs. Viacheslav Borshchev; Lightweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Terrance McKinney is the -176 favorite, while Viacheslav Borshchev is the +142 underdog.
McKinney lands 5.91 significant strikes per minute. His last three wins have seen his opponents land a combined six significant strikes. Borshchev lands 5.25 significant strikes. “Slava Claus” has a 54% strike accuracy mark.
McKinney has only seen the second round four times. He can take an opponent out and even force them to the floor. Despite showcasing tremendous power, Borshchev hasn’t been able to break out after a run on Dana White’s Contender Series. Expect the same result here, with McKinney not giving Borshchev a chance to breathe.
Sporting News prediction: McKinney via TKO (round one)
Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez; Flyweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Tracy Cortez is the -260 favorite, while Viviane Araujo is the +205 underdog.
Cortez lands 3.72 significant strikes per minute, landing 103 against Jasmine Jasudavicius. She also averages 2.09 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Araujo lands 4.04 significant strikes and averages 1.86 takedowns landed. Both are ranked in the top 10 at flyweight.
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Cortez and Araujo are coming off layoffs. The fight could be a game of cat and mouse, especially on the floor. Whoever gets top position first could determine the winner of the fight. Cortez had her momentum stopped against Rose Namajunas. Fully healthy, she should grind out a win and regain momentum.
Sporting News prediction: Cortez via split decision
Jhonata Diniz vs. Alvin Hines; Heavyweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Jhonata Diniz is the -325 favorite, while Alvin Hines is the +250 underdog.
Diniz lands 3.36 significant strikes per minute and has a strike accuracy mark of 53%. The former kickboxing champion suffered his first major loss in combat sports since 2018 in his last fight. Hines replaces Justin Tafa. “Goozie” is 3-0 in 2025, and only one of his fights has gone the distance.
This is an interesting fight, given the unknown factor of Hines. The ideal pick is Diniz via knockout, but Hines is polished enough that he could get a decision win.
Sporting News prediction: Hines via unanimous decision
Niko Price vs. Jacobe Smith; Welterweights
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Jacobe Smith is the -2500 favorite, while Niko Price is the +1040 underdog.
Smith impressed with a round-one knockout win in January after needing two rounds at a Dana White’s Contender Series fight. He can pack a punch while also averaging 11.50 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Price lands 5.21 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.04 takedowns.
Price has traded wins and losses over the last few years, which makes him an easy target. It’s a matter of when, not if, Smith can beat him, and The Sporting News is predicting it to be an early night for Price.
Sporting News prediction: Smith via KO (round two)
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