The 2025 version of Worldwide Combat Week is right here, and which means UFC 317 is upon us. Get your self prepared and within the know with one other version of MMA Information employees combat predictions.
The occasion will probably be obtainable completely on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, June 28. The primary card will start at its traditional 10pm ET begin time, with preliminary card motion kicking off at 6:30pm ET.
The primary occasion will see a brand new UFC light-weight champion be topped, as former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria steps up in weight to tackle former light-weight king Charles Oliveira. Topuria gained the featherweight title at UFC 298 final yr with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski and defended it at UFC 308 by turning into the primary man in years to complete Max Holloway. Oliveira, who comes into this bout off a win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, defeated Chandler to develop into champion in one other vacant title combat at UFC 262. He then defended it towards Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 earlier than shedding the belt on the scales previous to UFC 274.
The co-main occasion, in the meantime, will see the flyweight title at stake as Alexandre Pantoja defends towards Kai Kara-France. Since profitable the title from Brandon Moreno at UFC 290, Pantoja has defended the belt towards Brandon Royval (UFC 296), Steve Erceg (UFC 301) and Kai Asakura (UFC 310). Asakura, in the meantime, comes into this bout off a knockout of Erceg at UFC 305.
The primary card can even see Royval in motion towards short-notice alternative Joshua Van (who simply fought at UFC 316), Beneil Dariush tackle Renato Moicano and Payton Talbott dealing with Felipe Lima.
UFC 317: MMA Information Employees Predictions
With UFC 317 simply a few quick days away, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have supplied our picks for the fights that make up the primary card.
Under, you possibly can try the present leaderboard by means of six playing cards in 2025.
Pranav Pandey (17-10)Thomas Albano (16-11)
Ryan Jarrell (15-12)
And now, let’s check out everybody’s picks for UFC 317!
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima
Pranav Pandey: It’s onerous to make a assured decide right here, given how little we’ve seen from both fighter on the highest degree. Talbott tasted his first skilled loss in his final outing towards Raoni Barcelos, and I anticipate him to come back in sharper, having realized from that have. That mentioned, one obvious gap in his sport stood out: his takedown protection, which could possibly be an actual legal responsibility on this matchup.
However, Lima seems like the true deal. “Jungle Boy” hasn’t misplaced in almost a decade and brings a well-rounded, composed talent set to the desk. He’s harmful in all areas, however significantly efficient on the mat. That’s the place I see him having the clearest path to victory. If he can get Talbott to the bottom, I imagine he can management the tempo and probably dominate from prime place. (Prediction: Lima)
Thomas Albano: Felipe Lima has caught some consideration of late along with his pair of victories within the Octagon up to now. And it’s sufficient of an impression that the UFC wished to guide him towards Payton Talbott in a battle of younger rising prospects. Talbott was shocked by Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311, and he wants this win to maintain the momentum that he’s had going. The issue is Lima, a former Oktagon MMA champion, hasn’t misplaced since dropping his skilled MMA debut.
Talbott has the peak and attain benefit on this one, but when Lima can get on the within and push the tempo, how will he reply? He struggled towards Barcelos, and Lima has proven he can adapt to both a high-paced brawl or a calculated, cerebral assault. My feeling is the extra Lima finds holes in Talbott’s sport and the extra he scores takedowns, the higher he’ll nullify Talbott’s offense and work his means towards a call win. (Prediction: Lima)
Ryan Jarrell: This can be a powerful one to name for me. Felipe Lima is unquestionably extra technically sound and has impressed me extra up to now in his UFC run. Lima’s wins over Naimov and Johns had been sufficient to steer me to imagine he may combat for a title down the highway. Clearly the UFC sees Star potential in Talbot, however this can be a actually powerful matchup for him. I feel Talbot realized some precious classes in his current loss to Raoni Barcelos, however I’m unsure he has developed sufficient to get previous Lima. Give me Felipe Lima to make use of his footwork and hanging en path to a UD win. (Prediction: Lima)
Consensus: 3-0 Lima
Light-weight: Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Pranav Pandey: Each Dariush and Moicano are seasoned veterans who carry grit and expertise into the cage. Moicano was gaining severe momentum earlier than stepping in on quick discover towards Islam Makhachev. However previous to that, he had put collectively some spectacular wins, and his dismantling of Benoît Saint Denis was a statement-making efficiency that confirmed simply how harmful he might be when he’s dialed in.
As for Dariush, I nonetheless fee him as a high-level light-weight. His eight-fight win streak wasn’t a fluke. However ever because it got here crashing down in 2023 with back-to-back knockout losses, he hasn’t returned to motion. That layoff, for my part, could possibly be an actual issue. The query is whether or not he can match the rhythm and urgency Moicano brings along with his current exercise. I’m leaning towards Moicano right here, nevertheless it gained’t be simple. He’ll should dig deep and climate some powerful moments, as a result of Dariush isn’t the sort to go quietly. (Prediction: Moicano)
Thomas Albano: Two 36-year-old light-weight contenders. Two males who want to get again into the win column. Two males who had been imagined to face off at UFC 311. And solely considered one of them can come out on prime and probably stand up the ranks towards a crack on the gold.
Renato Moicano could have misplaced his final combat, however that was a title shot towards Islam Makhachev that got here on in the future’s discover after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew. It was this combat that triggered the cancelation of Dariush vs. Moicano the primary time round. It could have been a one-sided loss, however that call and hearty efficiency proved one thing followers of “Cash” Moicano already knew – the person is sport.
Dariush has been a light-weight contender for a while now, however he’s hit a few actually tough patches of late. Dariush hasn’t fought since 2023, a yr that noticed an eight-fight win streak of his get snapped by the hands of Charles Oliveira, adopted by a knockout loss towards Tsarukyan. Whereas these aren’t unhealthy losses per say towards the type of competitors he’s dealing with, a 3rd straight loss goes to noticeably harm his contender standing. And given the age of those two males, time is working out.
Sadly for Dariush, that is perhaps his actuality. Moicano having all of this momentum, mixed with him being the higher all-around product, leads me to offer the nod his means. (Prediction: Moicano)
Ryan Jarrell: This ought to be a really enjoyable combat and one the onerous core followers are actually trying ahead to. I’ve develop into an enormous fan of Moicano over his previous few fights, and he’s at all times cash on the microphone. Dariush hasn’t fought since his ugly efficiency towards Arman Tsarukyan in late 2023. I ponder if the day off and his age will play an element on this combat towards a way more energetic fighter in Renato. I feel talent for talent these two are fairly even, however I do anticipate Moicano to land extra vital strikes and be the aggressor all through the combat and win it on factors. (Prediction: Moicano)
Consensus: 3-0 Moicano
Flyweight: Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van
Pranav Pandey: There’s one thing actually intriguing about this matchup. First off, credit score to Joshua Van for stepping up on quick discover. That alone speaks volumes about his mentality. “The Fearless” is using a wave of momentum proper now, and whereas he’s nonetheless younger, he’s already confirmed that he belongs among the many division’s elite.
That mentioned, Brandon Royval isn’t any stranger to high-pressure conditions. He’s been in deep waters with one of the best of one of the best and is aware of precisely easy methods to navigate chaos. Along with his expertise and skill to thrive in scrambles, I feel “Uncooked Dawg” will probably be sharp sufficient to not go away any openings. If he stays composed and sticks to his rhythm, I see him getting the job accomplished. (Prediction: Royval)
Thomas Albano: That is in all probability the combat I’m severely trying ahead to on this card outdoors of the title fights. It’s additionally the one I’m having essentially the most issue in selecting, and apparently, I’m not alone on condition that these two males have near-even odds as of this level.
What we noticed at UFC 316 earlier this month is strictly what makes Van so entertaining; he pushes the tempo, is aggressive along with his hanging, and he’s not afraid to get in a brawl. And Bruno Silva was a battered sufferer of that in path to a third-round TKO, marking Van’s fourth straight win and twelfth win in his final 13 fights. Royval has earned a following for the same combat type, although he’s been much more strategic in his most up-to-date outings towards the likes of Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira.
This can be a no-risk matchup for Van; he’s already coming off one sturdy efficiency, and something that comes out of this combat ought to simply be a bonus. That mentioned, even when this turns into a memorable slugfest, the all-around talents of Royval and his expertise ought to give him the sting right here. (Prediction: Royval)
Ryan Jarrell: Josh Van has seemed extremely spectacular as of late and undoubtedly has the talents to be a prime contender for years to come back. However this looks as if a nasty concept to step up on very quick discover towards a legit prime 5 fighter within the division, particularly after simply competing towards Bruno Silva a few quick weeks in the past. I perceive that if an amazing alternative presents itself lots of fighter’s need to bounce throughout it and hopefully capitalize. However Brandon Royval is a harmful puzzle that you simply want a full camp to organize for and I don’t see Van having a lot for him on this contest. Give me Royval to make an announcement on this combat and put a halt to Van’s profitable streak. (Prediction: Royval)
Consensus: 3-0 Royval
UFC Flyweight Title: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France
Pranav Pandey: Kai Kara-France is a reputable menace within the flyweight division. His hanging is sharp, explosive, and he’s confirmed repeatedly why he belongs among the many elite. I’ll admit I picked towards him in his final outing, and he made me eat my phrases with that knockout over Steve Erceg. However as spectacular as “Don’t Blink” might be, I really imagine that every thing he does properly, the champ Alexandre Pantoja can do higher.
“The Cannibal” appears to degree up with each title protection. Whether or not he’s buying and selling bombs on the ft or dragging the combat into deep grappling waters, Pantoja thrives in chaos. He can take in strain and return fireplace with much more depth. Stylistically, this looks like a tricky puzzle that Kara-France simply isn’t geared up to unravel. I feel Pantoja overwhelms him and runs proper by means of. (Prediction: Pantoja)
Thomas Albano: I’m going to get tomatoes thrown at me for what I’m about to say, however I hope I’m heard out. I fully purchase Kai Kara-France as a reputable contender within the flyweight division and challenger for the flyweight title. In terms of being a champion, nonetheless, I simply don’t see it in comparison with among the different names at 125.
I like KKF’s strike-heavy combating type, however I don’t know the way it helps him towards Alexandre Pantoja, who, for my part, continues to get higher and evolve even because the defending champion of his division. KKF has struggled towards the highest names of this division, and take into account, Erceg obtained the title shot and fought KKF final yr even when he was, and nonetheless is, towards the underside portion of the highest 10.
Pantoja has been an absolute canine. Carry the combat to the bottom? He’ll go toe-for-toe with you there. Maintain the combat standing? He’ll present you energy and accuracy. Pantoja is a really underrated champion, who ought to be thought-about among the best champs that the UFC has, in a division crammed with strong expertise that features KKF, Erceg, Brandon Royval, and Brandon Moreno. And I see the Pantoja prepare persevering with to roll on. (Prediction: Pantoja)
Ryan Jarrell: The flyweight Champion appears to look higher and higher each time he climbs into the octagon. Pantoja is on a seven combat win streak and is cementing himself as an all time nice at 125 kilos. I need to admit I used to be stunned to see Kara France put out Steve Erceg the best way that he did. Kai undoubtedly could be very savvy and expert on the ft, however even when he will get the champ in any bother, the range of Pantoja’s sport will probably be sufficient to win any scrambles and dictate the place this combat takes place. Give me the champ to win this one somewhat handily and retain his title for the 4th time in a row. (Prediction: Pantoja)
Consensus: 3-0 Pantoja
UFC Light-weight Title: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Pranav Pandey: Now this can be a combat that has me counting down the times. We’ve received two licensed finishers getting into the Octagon, and I’d be shocked if this one even sniffs the judges’ scorecards. Topuria made a daring transfer by leaping as much as light-weight. Some may even name it audacious, particularly contemplating his extra compact construct in comparison with the division’s powerhouses. Nonetheless, I see him as somebody who can rise to the event. “El Matador” possesses among the cleanest and most exact boxing within the UFC immediately. He doesn’t simply throw punches. He detonates them. His energy is fight-ending, plain and easy. And whereas his wrestling hasn’t been examined a lot contained in the Octagon, the glimpses we’ve seen counsel he’s greater than succesful if the combat hits the mat.
However let’s not get forward of ourselves. Standing throughout from him is Oliveira, a savage finisher with a résumé stuffed with elite-level fighters. Whereas it’s no secret that “Do Bronx” owns arguably essentially the most deadly submission sport in UFC historical past, his hanging is criminally underrated. He carries actual knockout energy in his fingers and his physique kicks slam into the midsection like sledgehammers that provides up shortly. That mentioned, if Topuria can management the vary, keep disciplined, and keep away from getting tangled in Oliveira’s chaos, I can completely see him discovering a gap and placing the Brazilian away inside three rounds. (Prediction: Topuria)
Thomas Albano: Sure, it’s not Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev. Sure, it’s disappointing. However Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira remains to be a matchup value drooling over – and it’s going to develop into actuality in simply a few nights’ time.
I’m nonetheless not a fan of Topuria transferring up in weight so shortly. Sure, he beat two of the featherweight GOATs final yr. However this was one thing out of the Conor McGregor playbook; there was nonetheless a division stuffed with strong contenders that features Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev. That mentioned, I perceive the attraction of this matchup for positive, and Topuria is a reputable menace to develop into a world champion in a second weight class.
I do know it sounds cliché, however this actually appears like the everyday striker vs. grappler battle. We all know how deep a menace Oliveira is within the floor sport. That mentioned, Topuria will look to maintain distance and produce the ability he’s introduced within the lead as much as turning into a world champion the primary time round. And I feel he has extra to afford with being in Oliveira’s world on the bottom than Oliveira has on the ft towards Topuria and his hanging. Perhaps with others’ hanging, however not with Topuria’s.
Historical past will probably be made a method or one other on the finish of Worldwide Combat Week. I feel it’ll be Topuria who’s the one to do it. (Prediction: Topuria)
Ryan Jarrell: There’s something particular happening with the previous featherweight champ. The parallels between Ilia and Conor at this stage of their careers are too much like ignore. Topuria’s hanging is a good looking factor to look at and he at all times appears to dictate the place the combat takes place. It could be a good looking story to see Charles recapture the title once more, however MMA is a brutal sport the place the younger sometimes eat the outdated. I imagine Topuria places on a powerful efficiency and beats the previous champ by way of TKO sooner or later in spherical 2 or 3. (Prediction: Topuria)
Consensus: 3-0 Topuria
That’ll do it for our UFC 317 employees picks! What do you assume? Do your predictions look comparable? Tell us within the feedback part!
Additionally, you possibly can try the complete UFC 317 card beneath.
Principal Card:
Light-weight Championship: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Flyweight Championship: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France
Flyweight: Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van
Light-weight: Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Jack Hermansson vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Featherweight: Hyder Amil vs. Jose Miguel Delgado
Ladies’s Flyweight: Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez
Light-weight: Terrance McKinney vs. Viacheslav Borshchev
Early Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Niko Value vs. Jacobe Smith
Heavyweight: Jhonata Diniz vs. Alvin Hines
Middleweight: Christopher Ewert vs. Jackson McVey
