UFC 317 LIVE!
Ilia Topuria is celebrating a vicious victory over Charles Oliveira in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The eagerly-anticipated main event of UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena ended brutally in the first round, when Topuria provided a devastating knockout to emphatically claim the men’s lightweight title recently vacated by pound-for-pound No1 Islam Makhachev.
Former featherweight champion Topuria is just the 10th UFC fighter ever to win titles in two different weight classes, achieving the feat in just nine bouts with the promotion as he extended his unbeaten career record overall to 17-0. ‘El Matador’ now looks to on a collision course with rival Paddy ‘The Paddy’ Pimblett after the two men clashed in heated scenes in the octagon after the win over Oliveira.
Elsewhere, Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his UFC men’s flyweight title for the fourth time by submitting Kai Kara-France in the co-main event, after ascending star Joshua Van beat No1 contender at 125 pounds Brandon Royval in a thriller to go along with much-needed victories for both Beneil Dariush and Payton Talbott. Follow UFC 317 reaction live below!
UFC 317 results
- Topuria and Paddy Pimblett clash in octagon
- Ilia Topuria knocks out Charles Oliveira to win lightweight belt
- Alexandre Pantoja retains title against Kai Kara-France
- Joshua Van takes out No1 contender Brandon Royval
- Beneil Dariush beats Renato Moicano by decision
- Payton Talbott bounces back against Felipe Lima
Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett clash in octagon
06:02 , George FloodTopuria goads Paddy Pimblett after his latest emphatic victory and says he doesn’t think he’ll accept the fight.
‘The Baddy’ is in the crowd and is invited into the octagon by Joe Rogan, with the two squaring up as Pimblett insists he could never do it to him.
It ends in a scuffle before Pimblett departs. What a fight that will be.
Imagine knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira in three successive fights.
Levels.
Topuria’s power is truly something else - he said he would finish this in the first round and so it’s proved.
That was an absolute rocket of a right hand that knocked Oliveira out cold.
He was already going down when Topuria followed it up with a crunching left hook.
He also hit Oliveira twice on the ground, shuddering stuff.
The 10th two-weight UFC champion in history, and so quickly.
Still undefeated, now 17-0 in MMA and 9-0 in the UFC.
Remarkable.
Ilia Topuria knocks out Charles Oliveira in first round
05:52 , George FloodRound 1
All-action straightaway with some huge shots landing and blood already pouring from the head of Oliveira.
But submission specialist Oliveira is getting to work on the ground, looking to wrap him up but Topuria escaping.
TOPURIA HAS JUST KNOCKED OUT OLIVEIRA COLD WITH ONE SHOT!
OH MY WORD! WHAT HAVE I JUST SEEN?!
Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira
05:50 , George FloodUnderway in this huge main event!
Who will claim the vacant UFC men’s lightweight title?
Will we have a two-weight champion or a two-timer at 155 pounds?
Time to find out...
Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira
05:45 , George FloodPaddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett - along with the now undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall - is sitting in the crowd tonight, by the way.
It would not be a surprise at all to see him invited into the octagon if Topuria wins this.
Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira
05:43 , George FloodGreat reception for two very popular fighters inside T-Mobile Arena.
The sense of anticipation is pouring through the TV screen.
This could easily be the fight of the year.
Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira up next
05:35Joe Rogan gets Joshua Van into the octagon and Alexandre Pantoja graciously accepts the challenge.
Good to see the respect between the two, I’m looking forward to that fight already.
Fearless young challenger on a potential ascent to stardom against an experienced and dominant champion, who I agree should be much higher than ninth in the UFC pound-for-pound list.
Just the main event to come now in Las Vegas!
Don’t go anywhere - Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title is coming up NEXT.
You won’t want to miss it.
Alexandre Pantoja beats Kai Kara-France by submission
05:26Round 3
A lot of danger again for Kara-France early in the third as he’s taken down quickly and Pantoja has him in the relentless body triangle.
The champion attacks the neck and locks in the rear-naked choke, Kara-France desperately tries to avoid tapping but he eventually has no choice.
Ruthless from Pantoja.
His ninth career win by rear-naked choke and 12th by submission.
A fourth successful title defence at flyweight.
Joshua Van looks unfazed though, stating his title ambitions now sat next to the octagon.
That will be some contest.
Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France
05:21 , George FloodRound 2
Pantoja is just so, so good, man.
One body kick has left a huge mark around Kara-France’s ribcage.
Pantoja is having the better of the striking battles and then launches into an assault that includes some spiteful leg kicks.
A tentative Kara-France goes down to the mat again, now he’s trapped against the cage.
Now Pantoja just slows a touch though, Kara-France’s corner shouting that he’s getting sloppy as the champion is driven against the fence.
But the fight is soon back on the feet, where Pantoja remains in the ascendancy with strikes, kicks and a sharp knee.
He ends the round by forcing Kara-France stumbling back with a kick.
Comfortably 2-0 in rounds to the champ.
Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France
05:16 , George FloodRound 1
Kara-France is under immense pressure from the outset as Pantoja - inside the UFC’s pound-for-pound top 10 - nails some huge early strikes and then quickly takes down the challenger.
He’s sapping his energy immediately on the mat, controlling on top in gruelling fashion and looking for the neck as Kara-France tries to keep him at bay with some desperate defensive elbows.
The champion looks to have the neck in the final seconds of the opening round, but he doesn’t quite have the time to lock in the rear-naked choke.
Dominant from start to finish there from Pantoja.
Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France
05:03 , George FloodNow Joshua Van can settle down and watch the co-main event of the night at T-Mobile Arena.
Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja provides the fourth defence of the UFC men’s flyweight title against Kai Kara-France of New Zealand.
These two previously went head to head on the Ultimate Fighter series, Pantoja winning their semi-final by decision.
Can Kara-France get his revenge on the biggest stage to realise a title dream?
Plenty of support for his fellow New Zealander from Israel Adesanya in the crowd.
Joshua Van beats Brandon Royval by decision
04:54To the all-important judges’ scorecards we go now.
29-28, 29-28, 30-27 - all in favour of Joshua Van, who claims a career-best win and his second of the month!
He’s only been training for five years, has fought once already this month, was only ranked very recently and says he broke his toe only a few weeks ago.
Incredible. He takes out the No1 contender in the flyweight division and will now get a shot at the winner of the co-main event between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France.
And he was just seconds away from a statement stoppage.
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van
04:48 , George FloodRound 3
The fight continues in exactly the same vain in the final round, momentum going one way, then the other so quickly as both men continue to trade angrily at close quarters.
They are both throwing so many spiteful punches and combinations at such a high volume.
Royval often leads the way, but Van is so, so sharp and speedy on those precise and accurate counters.
He loves a tear-up and now drives in a knee to the bloodied face of Royval.
This is really good from Van as he lands a head kick and then rattles in yet another lovely counter left.
Now he knocks down Royval with a short right hand to the chin with just seconds left and unloads on him on the floor!
Royval is badly hurt but he’s saved by the final bell!
Awesome, awesome, awesome fight. The crowd are on their feet and roaring.
Tremendous. Fight of the night!
That explosive finish must have shaded it for Van, surely.
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van
04:44 , George FloodI don’t envy the judges attempting to score this...
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van
04:41 , George FloodRound 2
This entire fight so far has been fought on the feet at close quarters, Royval now having more success with some rangy punches and sharp leg kicks.
But Van comes roaring back! A solid overhand right makes Royval think.
Both men continue to have success with the strikes.
You can’t take your eyes off this for a second, it’s a high-pace strike-fest so far with both men bleeding and marked up.
Royval really going for it now, but Van continues to belt in those destructive counters.
Van buzzes Royval, who comes firing back.
What. A. Round. Wow. Not a takedown attempt in sight!
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van
04:36 , George FloodRound 1
Van looks like a man who has fought once already this month, rattling Royval with a succession of sharp left-hand counters that already look to have bloodied the nose of his opponent, who has a large size and reach advantage.
Royval and Van now trade furiously at close range with flurries of strikes and leg and body kicks.
Van’s movement and angles on these crisp counter shots are excellent.
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van
04:30Brandon Royval was originally due to face the sixth-ranked Manuel Kape tonight, only for the latter to suffer a fractured foot earlier this month.
That led to Joshua Van getting the call, the 23-year-old who has amassed a 7-1 record in the UFC and earned plenty of admirers.
Conditioning was never an issue for ‘The Fearless’, who stopped Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC 316 on June 7.
Royval has already challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title once, dropping a decision at UFC 296 in December 2023.
He has since reeled off back-to-back split-decision wins over Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira to quickly regain top contender status.
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van
04:22The first of two huge men’s flyweight battles on the way now ahead of our colossal main event in Las Vegas.
Before Alexandre Pantoja defends his 125-pound title for the fourth time against Kai Kara-France, No1-ranked contender Brandon Royval takes on Joshua Van for the right to meet the winner of that co-main event.
Beneil Dariush defeats Renato Moicano by decision
04:17 , George FloodAnother unanimous decision verdict as all three judges opt for 29-28 scores in favour of Dariush.
He really, really needed that after those back-to-back stoppage defeats by Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan.
His first win since outpointing Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 in October 2022.
Successive losses now for Moicano after his short-lived late-notice title challenge against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January.
Beneil Dariush vs Renato Moicano
04:11 , George FloodRound 3
Dariush goes straight for the takedown early in the third, then having to evade a clever counter move from Moicano.
They trade on the feet at close range, Moicano catching Dariush’s kick and taking him down briefly, before Dariush comes firing back upright.
Another takedown from Dariush, his fourth success in five attempts, now he’s on his back again.
He has him down and they roll across the mat, Moicano managing to get back to his feet in the nick of time.
Moicano is moving in slow motion at the moment, no doubt feeling the pace of this exhausting battle.
Dariush is having the better of all these close-range exchanges because Moicano is just so visibly tired.
Some really sharp leg kicks throughout this bout from Dariush.
Beneil Dariush vs Renato Moicano
04:05Round 2
Dariush shows his own striking prowess early in the second before momentum swings quickly back and forth during some furious and energy-sapping grappling up against the cage.
Both men are looking to establish supremacy, Dariush driving in some solid knees.
He puts Moicano on his back with a superb takedown.
He’s trying his best to lock in an arm triangle as he lies on top of Moicano, eating up the seconds and thundering down some nasty elbows before more solid strikes to end an impressive round for Dariush.
Beneil Dariush vs Renato Moicano
03:59Round 1
Moicano with a peach of a straight right hand puts Dariush down in the first.
A fine start from the Brazilian and enough to take the opener.
Beneil Dariush vs Renato Moicano
03:57 , George FloodOn we go with tonight’s main card!
Another visit to the men’s lightweight division now.
Beneil Dariush is looking to bounce back from successive stoppage defeats by top contenders Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan against veteran Brazilian Renato Moicano, the late replacement opponent for Tsarukyan who was submitted very quickly by Islam Makhachev as he challenged for the title at UFC 311 in January.
Ninth vs 11th in the division. This is Dariush’s first fight since December 2023.
The bout was supposed to be at UFC 311 before Moicano stepped into the main event.
Payton Talbott beats Felipe Lima by decision
03:43 , George FloodAll three judges score the fight 29-28 in favour of Payton Talbott, who deservedly claims the win.
He improves to 10-1 overall, 4-1 in the UFC.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, he repeats his desire to face Adrian Yanez next.
Payton Talbott vs Felipe Lima
03:39 , George FloodRound 3
More stellar takedown defence from Talbott early in the third, but finally Lima does get him down and manage to take a measure of control.
A third successful takedown in 13 attempts so far.
But once again Talbott is quickly back to his feet.
Lima takes a solid flurry of strikes against the fence.
Another wonderful spinning back kick from Talbott lands flush!
Lima goes for a high takedown attempt in response but slips on the canvas and is now on his back and under more pressure.
A brilliant end to a brilliant performance from Talbott, who has shown huge improvement in just five months after that first loss to Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311 in January.
Payton Talbott vs Felipe Lima
03:31 , George FloodRound 2
Lima lands some good shots early in the second but Talbott defends well from a double-leg takedown.
His takedown defence has been really good so far.
More good shots from Lima, but he’s taken down wonderfully now by Talbott.
Talbott with some vicious ground and pound to follow but he then lets Lima back to his feet.
More furious close-range exchanges now, including an eye-catching spinning back kick from Talbott.
Talbott with a decent right hand and he goes for another takedown before being pushed against the fence and taken to the mat himself.
But yet more tremendous work from Talbott, who gets on top again.
He ends the round on top of Lima and throwing down more heavy blows.
Payton Talbott vs Felipe Lima
03:26 , George FloodRound 1
Talbott walking down Lima quickly from the outset, but he’s caught a couple of times early by some crisp strikes before landing a nice low kick.
The duo jostle for supremacy up against the cage now.
No takedowns though and we’re quickly back on the feet in the centre of the octagon.
That is until we see two takedowns from Lima in quick succession, Talbott then showing incredible skill to reverse the second and get on top before deploying some furious ground and pound.
An error from Talbott while going for a takedown sees him flat on his back and under pressure.
Lima takes his back, but Talbott vaults to his feet in a flash.
A couple of angry elbows go in and Talbott is ripping in the knees against the fence before the horn sounds to end a fast and furious opener.
Ilia Topuria tells Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett: 'Be ready'
03:10 , George FloodA certain Paddy Pimblett will be a very interested spectator in tonight’s massive main event in Las Vegas.
‘The Baddy’ wants to face the winner of Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira, believing himself deserving of a title shot at lightweight after his emphatic win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami in April.
“I see that fight happening,” Topuria told the BBC this week.
“He has to be ready because he doesn't make those kind of decisions. It's me who decides when, where and against who.
"The only thing I can tell him is 'be ready'. Whenever you get the call you show up, you do your thing, you get your money, you go back home.
"He's one fight away from the title shot. So if he gets that win of course we are going to have that fight and I'm gonna whoop his ass."
Payton Talbott vs Felipe Lima kicks off main card
03:01Time to open up the five-fight main card at T-Mobile Arena!
Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight championship and Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight belt against Kai Kara-France coming up, as well as Brandon Royval and Joshua Van competing for a title shot at 125 pounds.
Another intriguing lightweight tussle between Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano, but first up it’s to bantamweight we go.
The 9-1 Payton Talbott will look to bounce back from his first career defeat by Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311 in January as he takes on 14-1 Brazilian Felipe Lima, undefeated since losing on his MMA debut in 2015.
Knockouts don’t come much more vicious than that.
Rodrigues insists he wants to go to the very top of the middleweight division, currently ruled of course by Dricus Du Plessis.
17-6 now is the record for Brazil’s Rodrigues, 8-3 in the UFC for the former Smash Global MMA and Legacy Fighting Alliance middleweight champion.
He’s tied for the most wins at middleweight since 2021, with six knockouts.
KN😲CKED 😱UT C😵LD!
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 29, 2025
ROBOCOP LANDED A BOMB!!! 💣#UFC317 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/23dY5SuIHV
Hermansson is attended to lying on the mat but is now thankfully sitting up.
He really shouldn’t have had to take that last shuddering shot while defenceless on the floor.
Gregory Rodrigues knocks out Jack Hermansson in round one
02:42 , George FloodRound 1
Both men are striking well early on here, each making the other feel their power.
Hermansson with a nice low kick, blood already smeared over the forehead of Rodrigues.
OH MY WORD!
A short right to the body from Rodrigues opens up a huge left hook that knocks Hermansson out cold.
Referee Herb Dean tries to stop it but can’t quite get there in time as Hermansson takes a really unnecessary shot while out on the floor.
Difficult to watch that, but an explosive stoppage from Rodrigues.
Jack Hermansson vs Gregory Rodrigues
02:37Here we go!
Another rip-roaring start as the heavy shots fly within seconds...
Jack Hermansson vs Gregory Rodrigues
02:26Jack Hermansson and Gregory Rodrigues are getting ready to close out this explosive prelim bill at T-Mobile Arena.
Another potentially captivating battle between two highly-experienced middleweights.
The Joker vs Robocop.
Jose Miguel Delgado knocks out Hyder Amil in 26 seconds
02:13 , George FloodUnbelievable! A 26-second knockout!
Delgado follows an early flurry of strikes with a vicious left knee straight up the middle that lands flush on the chin.
Amil is totally out of it and is finished by a couple of heavy strikes on the mat, forcing the referee to rightly step in.
He’s back on his feet and arguing his case, but no question that was the correct decision.
Devastating.
Hyder Amil vs Jose Miguel Delgado
02:05 , George FloodTo the men’s featherweight division we go now.
The unbeaten 11-0 Hyder Amil meets the 9-1 Jose Miguel Delgado in a battle of all-action fighters.
This could be a cracker!
Tracy Cortez beats Viviane Araujo by decision
02:01 , George FloodAll three judges score the bout 30-27 in favour of Tracy Cortez.
A dominant performance as she moves to 6-1 in the UFC, 12-2 overall in MMA.
The perfect way to bounce back from that decision loss to Rose Namajunas last summer - her only loss since 2017.
Araujo falls to 13-7, 7-5 in the UFC.
Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez
01:56Round 3
A kick to the chin lands and Cortez is now down on top of Araujo again early in the final round.
She’s sapping her energy on the deck, crashing in those thudding forearms, elbows and punches to the head in the process.
Apparently there has been some sort of complaint from Araujo in her corner about Cortez’s gloves.
For now Cortez is still grounding and pounding with venom, piling on more pressure and taking the back of Araujo, who can’t escape.
The final buzzer sounds - a top performance from Cortez.
Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez
01:49Round 2
The two exchange thunderous strikes and body kicks early in the second with this fight now being fought on the feet.
Araujo is looking unusually tentative and Cortez has drilled home some stylish counters.
They get locked up against the fence, both trying to fire in spiteful knees to the body.
Araujo tries and fails to lock in the guillotine, with Cortez on top as they fall to the mat.
Cortez wants to try for the armbar but won’t have time.
Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez
01:44 , George FloodRound 1
What an opening round from Cortez after that initial slow start, dominating and locking in the guillotine on a Brazilian jiu-jitsu master in Araujo, who is rather saved by the buzzer.
That will give the American huge confidence.
Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez
01:42Round 1
A really fast start from Araujo, who has Cortez on the ground and defending frantically against the cage after taking her back.
But Cortez escapes very well and now applies her own pressure, raining down some heavy blows before trying to lock in the early submission.
Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez
01:31 , George FloodOur only women’s bout of the night is up next at T-Mobile Arena.
It’s in the flyweight division, where the experienced No8-ranked Viviane ‘Vivi’ Araujo battles the 11-2 Tracy Cortez.
This is a fascinating contest that could go either way.
Terrance McKinney records seventh first-round finish
01:23 , George FloodNo messing around from Terrance McKinney!
A seventh first-round finish is the most of any fighter in the UFC since 2021.
Usually it’s explosive knockouts for ‘T Wrecks’, but tonight he was out for the quick submission.
He improves to 17-7 overall, 7-4 in the UFC.
GONE IN 60 SECONDS!!! 🤯🔥
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 29, 2025
Terrance McKinney wasted no time and taps out Viacheslav Borshchev QUICK! 👋#UFC317 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/Ig76LBTggP
Terrance McKinney submits Viacheslav Borshchev by guillotine choke
01:18 , George FloodAbsolutely outrageous from McKinney!
Borshchev throws out an early kick and gets caught with the efficient double-leg takedown.
McKinney locks in a nasty anaconda choke and Borshchev is in a world of trouble in a matter of seconds.
He’s trying like hell not to tap from a locked-in guillotine choke, kicking his legs furiously as his face gets redder and redder, but in the end he has no choice.
Absolutely ruthless from McKinney. 55 seconds!
Terrance McKinney vs Viacheslav Borshchev
01:14 , George FloodTime for the main prelims to begin in Las Vegas!
To the men’s lightweight division we go first for Terrance McKinney vs Viacheslav Borshchev.
This could be explosive. Terrance McKinney is never dull!
A very amusing post-fight interview in the octagon with Jacobe Smith, who just continues to bellow “Joe Rogaaaaan” at the top of his voice.
He looks star-struck!
Jacobe Smith submits Niko Price by rear-naked choke
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:56Round 2
Price is trying to throw plenty again early in the second, but Smith is just too quick and too clever, catching him unawares once more to set up further punishing ground and pound.
Smith is looking for that submission finish in the middle of the blood-splattered octagon, but Price is managing to just about keep him at bay... for now.
But not for long! Smith stays patient and locks in the swift rear-naked choke after Price rolls over and inadvertently leaves his back totally open, with Smith only too happy to oblige.
Price quickly taps.
Niko Price vs Jacobe Smith
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:51 , George FloodRound 1
Price jumps back to his feet and halts the onslaught, trying to throw some sizable strikes at the end of the round, only to get caught massively on the counter by the lightning-fast Smith as he’s sent stumbling back.
That really hurt him.
It was a short left and then a left kick to the head that stunned Price after he went for a spinning attack and left himself wide open.
Niko Price vs Jacobe Smith
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:48 , George FloodRound 1
Smith is wasting no time at all here as he immediately jumps on Price, who is in all sorts of trouble from the outset as he’s bulldozed over against the fence.
His face is badly cut as he frantically tries to avoid the armbar.
The pressure is relentless from Smith as he drives across the face in shuddering fashion again, blood pouring from Price.
Smith now trying to take the back of Price, who has been warned a couple of times already for grabbing the fence.
Niko Price vs Jacobe Smith
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:43 , George FloodOnly one more fight to come on the early prelim card in Las Vegas.
Niko Price has lost three of his last four fights against Philip Rowe, Robbie Lawler and Themba Gorimbo.
‘The Hybrid’ will likely have his work cut out massively here against Jacobe Smith, the highly-rated 10-0 welterweight talent competing on a numbered UFC card for the first time tonight after his first-round stoppage of Preston Parsons back in January.
Joe Rogan has just confirmed that Price is the biggest betting underdog in UFC history for this fight. Wow!
Jhonata Diniz beats Alvin Hines by decision
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:39 , George FloodBruce Buffer to read out the official judges’ scorecards now.
All three score it 29-28 in favour of Diniz, who moves to 9-1 and 3-1 in the UFC to bounce back from his first loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC 309.
Defeat on his promotional debut then for Hines, who never threatened to take that battle to the ground and try to utilise his wrestling strengths.
But he’s clearly very proud of his efforts.
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:35 , George FloodRound 3
A second wind for Diniz after that short delay and he lands with that hammering left hand again, also throwing some neat kicks upstairs before the final bell.
Hines is absolutely delighted to have gone the distance on his UFC debut tonight.
He definitely lost, but showed some real resilience.
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:33 , George FloodRound 3
The doctor gives the okay for Diniz to continue, Hines is warned by the referee to keep control of his fingers.
Diniz has five minutes if he wants it to recover, but quickly resumes.
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:30Round 3
Diniz’s obvious exhaustion is giving Hines real encouragement early in the third and final round as he begins to let those hands and kicks fly.
But Diniz is poked in the left eye to earn a very welcome breather, with the doctor entering the octagon to assess.
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:27 , George FloodRound 2
Hines continues to eat some huge strikes in round two, but he’s tough as nails and is trying to fight fire with fire whenever possible.
Diniz can’t miss with that storming left hook and lands a couple more huge strikes before the end of the penultimate round.
Both men feeling the pace of this.
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:21Round 1
Diniz with a monster left hook that rocks Hines, whose face is a total and utter mess already here.
Diniz’s low leg kicks are so spiteful, now he goes on another assault with some shuddering strikes and knees.
Hines looks to celebrate making it to the end of that round.
A Diniz stoppage feels almost a certainty here.
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:19 , George FloodRound 1
Hines with a lovely strike to open the first round of his UFC debut, before Diniz starts to rattle in those low leg kicks.
Hines uncorks another big shot and now drives in a spiteful knee up against the cage.
But Diniz’s power in his own shots is already being felt, with Hines already showing damage beneath his right eye and dealing with a bleeding nose.
Blood smeared across Diniz’s nose too.
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines up first
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:05 , George FloodThe aforementioned cancellation of tonight’s opening bout between Chris Ewert and Jackson McVey means we are starting a bit later than usual in Las Vegas.
But the UFC 317 early prelim bill will be underway very shortly, now beginning with the men’s heavyweight clash between Brazil’s Jhonata Diniz and UFC debutant Alvin ‘Goozie’ Hines.
Diniz - coming off his lone career defeat by Marcin Tybura in New York in November - was originally supposed to face Justin Tafa, only for the New Zealander to pull out earlier this month.
A knockout still seems virtually guaranteed between two very heavy hitters.
Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:57 , George FloodIlia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira for the vacant men’s lightweight title is not the only high-profile championship fight on tonight’s massive UFC 317 card in Las Vegas.
There is also a lot of interest in the men’s flyweight division, where Brandon Royval and Joshua Van compete to become the new No1 contender, before Alexandre Pantoja then defends his belt against Kai Kara-France in the co-main event.
Pantoja - currently ranked at No9 pound-for-pound - is riding a seven-fight winning streak and has beaten all of Kai Asakura, Steve Erceg and Royval since first winning the 125-pound title with a split-decision victory over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in the summer of 2023.
He now makes his fourth defence in a long-awaited tussle with former Ultimate Fighter rival ‘Don’t Blink’ Kara-France, the No4-ranked New Zealander who fights for the first time in almost a year and previously spent 14 months away from the octagon due to neurological issues.
Ilia Topuria: I will make history with all-time great performance
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:43Never one to lack any confidence in his own abilities, and with good reason, Ilia Topuria has promised to make history by delivering one of the greatest performances in UFC history tonight.
It would be a shock to see the colossal main event go the distance, given both men’s track record of spectacular finishes.
Fireworks seem absolutely guaranteed.
"You are going to see one of the greatest performances of all time tomorrow." - @Topuriailia 😮💨#UFC317 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/k6czkIKd13
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 28, 2025
Charles Oliveira aiming to win back lightweight title
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:24For Charles Oliveira, it’s a second chance to claim back the lightweight title that was stripped from him after he was half-a-pound over the limit for his second scheduled defence against interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 in Phoenix in 2022.
The Brazilian submission specialist had previously won the belt left vacant following the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov by stopping Michael Chandler at UFC 262, later submitting Dustin Poirier in his first and only defence.
Oliveira - currently ranked at No2 in the division and with the most finishes and submissions in UFC history - became the No1 contender for his old belt by submitting Gaethje, but was submitted himself in the second round of his next title shot by Islam Makhachev.
Since then, he’s beaten both Beneil Dariush and won a pulsating rematch with Chandler, either side of a split-decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan, the No1-ranked lightweight who is the back-up fighter for tonight’s main event.
Tsarukyan had been due to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight belt at UFC 311 in January, only to withdraw through injury and be replaced by Renato Moicano, who lost by submission in the first round.
Moicano and Dariush go head to head on tonight’s main card.
Ilia Topuria out to become two-weight UFC champion
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:10 , George FloodThe stakes are certainly high for Ilia Topuria tonight.
‘El Matador’ is out to become just the 10th fighter in UFC history to win titles in two different weight divisions, having previously held the featherweight gold after knocking out the great Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 last year and then successfully defended it by becoming the first man ever to stop Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi in October.
He vacated the 145-pound title in a surprise move back in April, jumping up to a more natural home at lightweight and appearing on a collision course with the formidable Islam Makhachev.
However, Makhachev also relinquished his belt last month for a move to welterweight and potential showdown with the newly-crowned Jack Della Maddalena, who outpointed Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in Montreal.
Instead it’s a battle with Oliveira for the immensely powerful knockout artist Topuria, who is unbeaten at 16-0 in professional MMA including eight consecutive victories in the UFC - five by KO.
Only Makhachev and dominant men’s bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili are currently above Topuria in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
He can take another step towards greatness in Las Vegas tonight.
Chris Ewert vs Jackson McVey opener cancelled
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:58 , George FloodThere were originally supposed to be three fights as usual on tonight’s early prelim card at the T-Mobile Arena, only for the men’s middleweight opener between undefeated pair Chris Ewert and Jackson McVey to be pulled at late notice yesterday.
Ewert was only called to take the fight late this week and is said to have missed the weight by a long way.
McVey weighed in as usual on Friday, but Ewert never showed and it was then quickly announced that not only had the fight been cancelled, but that Ewert had also been immediately cut by the UFC.
There have been reports that the 7-0 Ewert - who was poised to make his octagon debut tonight - was as much as 10 pounds over the 185-pound limit.
A very frustrating week indeed for McVey, who had initially been supposed to face Sedriques Dumas.
UFC 317 fight card in full
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:49 , George FloodMain card
Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira - for the vacant UFC men’s lightweight championship
Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France - for Pantoja’s UFC men’s flyweight championship
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van
Beneil Dariush vs Renato Moicano
Payton Talbott vs Felipe Lima
Prelims
Jack Hermansson vs Gregory Rodrigues
Hyder Amil vs Jose Miguel Delgado
Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez
Terrance McKinney vs Viacheslav Borshchev
Early prelims
Niko Price vs Jacobe Smith
Jhonata Diniz vs Alvin Hines
How to watch UFC 317
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:46 , George FloodTV channel: The main UFC 317 prelims and main card will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK. Coverage begins from 1am BST on TNT Sports 1 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the prelims and main card action live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
The early prelims are available to view in the UK from 11:30pm BST on Saturday night (June 28) via subscription service UFC Fight Pass, which costs £6.99 a month.
The early prelims are live on ESPN+, ESPN Deportes and Disney+ in the USA, with the main prelims on ESPN+, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and Disney+. The main card is on ESPN+ PPV at a cost of $79.99.
UFC 317 live
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:45 , George FloodGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of UFC 317.
We’ve got a massive night of MMA action in store in Las Vegas, with two title fights taking centre stage later on.
First, Alexandre Pantoja defends his UFC men’s flyweight title for the fourth time against Kai Kara-France, before Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira clash in an epic battle to collect the lightweight belt recently relinquished by Islam Makhachev.
There is so much more intrigue across a stacked fight card, which kicks off with the early prelim bill from approximately 11:30pm BST.
Don’t go anywhere - you won’t want to miss it!
