UFC 317 predictions – MMA Fighting

Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira both have the chance to make history Saturday.

Should Topuria emerge victorious in the UFC 317 main event. Furthermore, and claim the vacant lightweight title, it will mark the end an incredible journey from promising UFC debutant to two-division champion, a journey that has taken “El Matador” less than five years to complete. However, He forfeited his featherweight title to pursue this opportunity, so the move is not without risk. However, And he has a future UFC Hall of Famer to overcome.

Oliveira won. Meanwhile, defended the lightweight belt in 2021, and already holds a number of UFC records including the most stoppages and most submissions in the promotion’s history. Similarly, If he beats Topuria, he becomes the first fighter to become a two-time champion in the illustrious 155-pound division. Similarly, He’s not Islam ufc 317 predictions – mma Makhachev. Furthermore, but Oliveira is a damn fine fighter in his own right, and he strengthens his case to be considered one of the three greatest lightweights of all-time if he pulls this off.

Alexandre Pantoja seeks his own slice of history when he defends his flyweight title for the fourth time. However, in the co-main event. Nevertheless, It’s unlikely Pantoja ever sniffs the great Demetrious Johnson’s record of 11 consecutive title defenses. Similarly, but even if he hits seven or eight, that puts Pantoja in a class all his own among modern UFC champions. However, Considering how rare it is now for fighters to simply stay in their division. However, defend their titles, Pantoja shutting down talk of a bantamweight move is refreshing.

He’s more focused on promoting the current crop of challengers at 125 pounds, including his upcoming opponent Kai Kara-France. Moreover, A lot has changed ufc 317 predictions – mma since Kara-France dropped a two-round decision to Pantoja in The Ultimate Fighter house in 2016. Furthermore, and even though he didn’t put together a scintillating win streak to earn his shot, the New Zealand knockout artist has hovered around the front of the contender line for years and this time the matchmakers called his number.

In other main card action. Meanwhile, Brandon Royval and Joshua Van vie to be the next flyweight title challenger, lightweights Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano meet in a battle of old men (their words, not ours), and Payton Talbott looks to right the ship when he faces fellow blue-chip bantamweight Felipe Lima.

What: UFC 317

Where: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

When: Saturday, June 28. In addition, The two-fight early preliminary card begins at 7 p.m. Similarly, ET on ESPN+ and Disney+, followed by a four-fight preliminary card airing on ESPN, ufc 317 predictions – mma ESPN+ and Disney+ at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, ET. Therefore, The five-fight main card begins at 10 p.m. Therefore, ET exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

(Numbers in parentheses indicate standing in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings . Moreover, Pound-for-Pound Rankings)

Ufc 317 predictions – mma

Ilia Topuria (P4P-2) vs. For example, Charles Oliveira (3. Similarly, P4p-17) – Ufc 317 predictions – mma

For most of fight week, I was seriously planning to venture into Charles Oliveira upset territory, and with good reason. In addition, Oliveira has size on Ilia Topuria, is the better grappler, and has plenty of knockout power. However, He’s arguably the greatest fight finisher in UFC history. Nevertheless, and if anyone can become the first to not only defeat Topuria but put him away inside the distance, it’s “do Bronx.”

But my concern for Oliveira is the same for every Oliveira fight: He gets hit. In addition, A lot.

ufc 317 predictions – mma

Yes. However, he gets knocked down and he gets up again, but you can only roll those dice so many times before coming up snake eyes. However, Even in his second win over Michael Chandler. Oliveira put a scare in his supporters with a fifth round that saw him take a lot of damage.

That’s a game he can’t play with the younger, more explosive Topuria. We all love Oliveira for his maverick style. but if he gets dinged by Topuria, there are few fighters better at knowing when to go in for the kill and when to back off. Topuria won’t empty the gas tank hunting a finish that isn’t there. He won’t foolishly dive into a wounded Oliveira’s guard. And if Oliveira brings the heat on the feet—and he will—Topuria won’t stand and trade.

“El Matador” will live up to his name when it matters ufc 317 predictions – mma most. evading Oliveira’s powerful rush and countering with the precision that led to historic knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. It will take all of Topuria’s will. skill to put Oliveira down for the count, but he’s going to do it.

Topuria by knockout, Round 2.

Pick: tops

Alexandre Pantoja (1, P4P-T3) vs. Kai Kara-France (6)

Speaking of testing one’s luck, has Alexandre Pantoja hit the end of his championship run?

It was a long climb to the top for Pantoja in the first place as he had to overcome a few key losses to finally earn a championship fight with Brandon Moreno. the man he’d beaten on The Ultimate Fighter and in a 2018 contest. He narrowly won their trilogy bout. has dutifully defended his throne since, rarely playing it safe with dangerous contenders breathing down his neck.

Kai Kara-France has to ufc 317 predictions – mma be hoping he sees the same Pantoja that was willing to stand with Moreno. Steve Erceg, because if “Don’t Blink” gets his chance to land a devastating shot, he won’t miss. Pantoja has one of the best chins in the business. has never been finished, so Kara-France faces an uphill battle, to say the least.

While Pantoja is probably more than willing to meet Kara-France head on. I think we’ll see more of the champion’s elite grappling factor in here. Pantoja is so much fun when he goes balls to the wall. but he’s also smart and has a complete skill set. He will take Kara-France down when he sees an opening.

The fight ends when Pantoja takes a frustrated Kara-France down again in the third round. works his way to a rear-naked choke submission win.

Pick: Pantoja

Brandon Royval (T2) vs. Joshua Van

Huge ufc 317 predictions – mma tip of the cap to Brandon Royval for even taking this fight. A win over Manel Kape would have guaranteed Royval another title shot. now, he gives the fast-rising Joshua Van the opportunity to take that spot.

At 23. with less than five years of pro experience, Van is just starting his career and he’s already garnered championship buzz. The Myanmar native is 7-1 in the UFC, with four of those wins occurring in the past nine months. Through it all. he’s faced a number of different stylistic matchups and showed maturity beyond his years, cliché as that is to say. Yeah, he’s ready for prime time.

But Royval should never be counted out, especially since he faced a similar challenge in his previous fight. Tatsuro Taira was undefeated. and still just 24 years old when he headlined a UFC APEX card against Royval this past October. The ufc 317 predictions – mma talented Taira hung in there. but the more experienced “Raw Dawg” was clearly the better fighter on that night and proved once again he’s no stepping stone.

Van will fight for a title someday -. if I had to bet, win one – but there’s still plenty of growing pains to come and much of that will happen in the wake of a loss to Royval. There’s no substitute for high-level competition and Royval has been through the crucible many times over. There’s a gear we know he can reach that Van has to learn.

Royval gets the win (and his No. 1 contender spot) Saturday, but Van will still have people buzzing with his effort.

Pick: Royval

Beneil Dariush (T9) vs. Renato Moicano (14)

Yes Country for Old Men.

Born just weeks apart. 36-year-olds Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano are embracing ufc 317 predictions – mma the fact that this could be the last ride in the lightweight top 10 for both of them. These are still two of the best fighters in the world in the best division and they deserve our respect.

So who keeps their slim championship hopes alive and who gets a firm nudge from Father time? I’m going with Dariush for the win.

When Moicano is at his best. he dominates with his grappling, something he shouldn’t be able to do against the equally gifted Dariush. Should this end up staying on the feet, give me Dariush’s size and power for the win. Moicano has always had excellent Muay Thai. so he’s no sitting duck, but Dariush will land the more impactful blows.

I’m not expecting a finish. so look for these two to challenge for a Fight of the Night award -letting Moicano live up to his ufc 317 predictions – mma “Money” nickname even in defeat.

Pick: Dariush

Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima

I’ll be the 800th MMA pundit it to say it: I don’t like what they’re doing. with Payton Talbott here.

When Talbott was upset by Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311, it was a predictable upset given Talbott’s youth. He was given a hard push. he smacked into his current ceiling, he probably learned a lot, and the UFC had a chance to recalibrate their expectations. No serious harm done.

But booking him against another young fighter that has faced higher-level competition prior to his UFC debut? HARM!

Look, it’s entirely possible Talbott takes a quantum leap from his last performance. His takedown defense was lacking. but that’s a weakness he can shore up and if that’s what he’s focused on for the past six months, it could completely change the complexion of ufc 317 predictions – mma this fight. Add in his already impressive striking gifts and Talbott has the chance to steal some of Lima’s shine.

On paper, though, it’s Lima all the way. Lima can match Talbott’s speed on the feet. if Talbott’s takedown defense hasn’t improved, Lima will happily put him on his back. Also—and I don’t mean to repeat my Royval-Van points—there is a major difference in their quality of competition.. In his first two UFC fights. Lima beat Muhammad Naimov and Miles Johns, both opponents I would pick over Talbott right now.

No matter who wins. I’m not ruling out either of these young men as future contenders, but Lima is just a step ahead right now.

Pick: Lima

Preliminaries

Jack Hermansson def. Gregory Rodrigues

HYDER AMIL DEF. Jose Miguel Delgado

Viviane Araujo (13) def. Tracy Cortez

Terrance McKinney Def. Viacheslav Borshchev

Jacobe ufc 317 predictions – mma Smith def. Niko Price

Jhonata Diniz Def. Alvin Hines