International Fight Week comes to an epic conclusion at one of the most anticipated pay-per-view events of 2025, UFC 317. Competing for the vacant lightweight strap, former featherweight king Ilia Topuira locks horns with Brazilian icon Charles Oliveira. In the second to last bout of the night, reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja endeavors to notch his fourth consecutive title defense when he faces New Zealand power puncher Kai Kara-France.
Main Event
Undefeated in his professional career with a record of 16-0, Topuria is coming off of two astronomical victories over 145-lb legends in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, knocking both men out in dramatic fashion. He notably became the first fighter to defeat the latter by strikes. Choosing to vacate his throne earlier this year, “La Leyenda” is now on a seemingly unstoppable quest to conquer a new division as he contends for the lightweight belt.
Widely recognized as the most entertaining fighter in the UFC, Oliveira steps into his first championship opportunity since 2022 at UFC 280, where he sadly lost to Dagestan powerhouse Islam Makhachev. Earning another shot at the top of the heap at 155-lb with a dominant unanimous decision over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, “Do Bronx” has the chance resolidify his position as the best lightweight on the planet and hand the unblemished Spaniard his first ever loss.
Co-Main Event
Unbeaten in his past seven contests, 125-lb apex Pantoja has carved out a place for himself as a pound-for-pound great in the sport, garnering three title defenses since nabbing the championship over Brandon Moreno in 2023. Aiming to etch the fourth retention of his belt, “The Cannibal” crosses paths with a man who already once bested on The Ultimate Fighter a decade ago.
Snapping a two-bout skid in amazing fashion with a first round finish over previous title challenger Steve Erceg, Kara-France is gearing up for his first crack at undisputed UFC gold. Literally punching his ticket into the biggest scrap of his life, “Don’t Blink” will attempt to live up to his nickname by delivering a stellar performance against the most accredited flyweight in the promotion.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Rounding out the UFC 317 main card, Brandon Royval will look to cement his own shot at the championship when he meets late replacement Joshua Van. Then, Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano duke it out in a fun lightweight chess match. Also, bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott seeks to reenter the win column by pushing past Felipe Lima.
UFC 317 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC 317 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL 7 (2025):
- Hank Strandberg: 50-102
- Drew Zuhosky: 32-120
- Frazer Krohn: 32-88
- Jeremy Brand: 29-112
- Andrew Benjamin: 15-77
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Felipe Lima -170
Vs.
Payton Talbott +145
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Talbott by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg:Lima by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Talbott by round three Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Lima by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Talbott by round two Knockout
Staff picking Lima: 2
Staff picking Talbott: 3
Renato Moicano -110
Vs.
Beneil Dariush -110
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Dariush by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Moicano by second round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Dariush by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Moicano by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Moicano by first round Knockout
Staff picking Moicano: 3
Staff picking Dariush: 2
Josh Van -120
Vs.
Brandon Royval +100
FLYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Van by second round TKO
Hank Strandberg: Royval by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Van by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Royval by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Royval by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Van: 2
Staff picking Royval: 3
Alexandre Pantoja -220
Vs.
Kai Kara-France +185
FLYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Pantoja by second round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Pantoja by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Kara-France by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Pantoja by round four Submission
Andrew Benjamin: Pantoja by second round Knockout
Staff picking Pantoja: 4
Staff picking Kara-France: 1
Ilia Topuria -450
Vs.
Charles Oliveira +350
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Topuria by first round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Topuria by second round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Topuria by first round Submission
Frazer Kron: Topuria by third round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Topuria by second round Knockout
Staff picking Topuria: 5
Staff picking Oliveira: 0
