Topuria vs. Oliveira

UFC 317 Set to Ignite T-Mobile Arena with Topuria vs. Oliveira for Lightweight Title

This weekend, UFC 317 takes center stage at T-Mobile Arena, featuring a blockbuster main event where Ilia Topuria battles Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. The co-main event showcases flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja defending his belt against Kai Kara-France, with Brandon Royval squaring off against Joshua Van earlier in the night.

Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira Breakdown
With Islam Makhachev relinquishing the lightweight title to chase welterweight gold against Jack Della Maddalena later this year, the 155-pound division is poised to crown a new champion.

Ilia Topuria, stepping up from featherweight, aims to claim a second UFC title in his lightweight debut. The 28-year-old Georgian-Spanish star, dubbed "El Matador," dominated the featherweight division in 2024, seizing the title with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski and defending it with a third-round stoppage of Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi.

Undefeated at 16-0 with 14 finishes, Topuria has built a reputation for dismantling legends. He’s vowed to overpower Oliveira, just as he did Volkanovski and Holloway. Known for his precise, high-volume striking and a stellar 92% takedown defense, Topuria’s elite grappling complements his striking prowess, making him a formidable threat in his new weight class.

On the other side, Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight champion, looks to reclaim the throne he won in 2021 with a knockout of Michael Chandler. The 35-year-old Brazilian, with a 35-10 record, bounced back from a close loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 with a rematch win over Chandler last November, earning another crack at the title. Oliveira aims to make history as the first fighter to win the UFC lightweight belt twice.

Oliveira’s experience, composure, and versatile skill set—blending technical striking with a lethal submission game (2.7 submissions per 15 minutes)—make him a dangerous opponent. Standing taller (1.78m vs. 1.7m) with a reach advantage (1.88m vs. 1.75m), he lands 55% of his 3.40 significant strikes per minute. However, his 40% takedown accuracy on 2.25 attempts per 15 minutes will face Topuria’s stout defense.

While Oliveira’s versatility and grappling could pose problems, Topuria’s power, speed, and finishing instinct—carried over from featherweight—are expected to shine. Despite Oliveira’s underdog status, his well-rounded arsenal, highlighted by his recent wrestling display against Chandler, keeps him in the fight.

Main and Co-Main Event Outlook
The headliner pits the unbeaten Topuria against the seasoned Oliveira in a clash promising fireworks, as Topuria seeks to dominate a second division while Oliveira hunts for one last title run. In the co-main event, flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja eyes his fourth straight title defense against the hard-hitting Kai Kara-France. Earlier, Brandon Royval and Joshua Van vie for a potential shot at the flyweight crown.

Topuria’s relentless pressure and knockout power are predicted to overwhelm Oliveira, though the Brazilian’s submission threat and striking could turn the tide if he capitalizes on a scramble. UFC 317 is set to deliver a night of high-stakes action, with Topuria favored to cement his legacy as a two-division star.