Las Vegas’s T‑Mobile Arena exploded on June 28, 2025, as UFC 317 headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira delivered a night to remember. Topuria, undefeated entering the bout, captured UFC Lightweight gold with a lightning‐fast TKO at 2:27 of Round 1. A precision right hook–left combo silenced both Oliveira and the crowd, crowning “El Matador” the promotion’s 10th-ever dual‑division champion .
In the co‑main, Flyweight ruler Alexandre Pantoja showcased his elite grappling, subduing Kai Kara‑France via rear‑naked choke in Round 3 to retain his crown . Meanwhile, Joshua Van edged out Brandon Royval via unanimous decision in a Fight‑of‑the‑Night candidate—earning a bonus alongside Van—and Beneil Dariush and Payton Talbott secured solid decision wins .
Preliminary bouts saw fireworks too: Gregory Rodrigues stunned Jack Hermansson with a first‑round KO, Jose Miguel Delgado stopped Hyder Amil in under 30 seconds, and both Terrance McKinney and Jacobe Smith earned swift submission wins . On the women’s side, Tracy Cortez controlled Viviane Araújo to win a unanimous decision .
Post‑fight tensions flared when Paddy Pimblett stormed the octagon during Topuria’s interview, prompting a brief shove and sibling‑like showdown—setting the stage for an inevitable clash down the line .
Post‑fight tensions flared when Paddy Pimblett stormed the octagon during Topuria’s interview, prompting a brief shove and sibling‑like showdown—setting the stage for an inevitable clash down the line .
All told, UFC 317 was a breathtaking mix of elite striking, grappling mastery, and dramatic storylines. With a new lightweight champ, Pantoja’s continued dominance, and several breakout performances, the inaugural card of International Fight Week has already reshaped the divisional landscape—and we can’t wait for the rematches to come.
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