Fight Predictions: UFC 317: Topuria vs Oliveira
Ilia Topuria & Charles Oliveira face-off ahead of their title clash!
High-Octane....Thrill Ride.....Eagerly Awaited....however you look at it, Saturday nights 'UFC 317: Topuria vs Oliveira' has heads talking and all eyes fixed on the T-Mobile Arena.
We had 3 'Early Prelims', with 3 debuting fighters looking to make their mark. However, a weight cutting setback means 33 year old Alvin Hines is the only one treading that path. What a card to make your debut, and although 'Goozie' has a similar amount of fights to Jhonata Diniz, Diniz has made that walk 3 times and been battle tested in the world of kickboxing!
There are prospects on the 'Prelims' and 'Main Card' hoping to make statements. As 'The Hurricane', Hyder Amil takes on Jose Miguel Delgado. Both on impressive streaks, and looking to take that next step in a hot division. Then Payton Talbott returns after his first loss, hoping to right the ship. BUT, across from him, 'Jungle Boy', Felipe Lima wants to continue his explosive rise through the ranks. When alls said and done, the Featherweight division has four young prospects that should bring the excitement!!
We haven't seen Beneil Dariush in eighteen months, and although he's had a couple of setbacks, he's been within touching distance of a title shot, with a string of impressive victories to his name. Across from him Renato Moicano wants to rid himself of the bad taste January's losing title challenge left in his mouth. So with the Lightweight prize on the line later in the evening, both gentlemen want to show why their name should be in the conversation for a future shot!
AND, we end the night with not one, but TWO title fights!!! The Flyweights start things off, as Kai Kara-France finally gets his shot at the undisputed belt. But he won't want to blink, cause he's facing 'The Cannibal', Alexandre Pantoja. Who hasn't tasted defeat for five years, and seems to get better with each fight! THEN, the minute the bell rings, the Lightweight Championship is vacant, and former Featherweight juggernaut Ilia Topuria looks to add more gold to his mantle piece & legacy. Though former Champion, Charles Oliveira has plenty to say about that. As one of the most highly credentialed fighters in the division, 'do Bronx' knows his story is far from complete and wants to either add to his 'most submission wins' (16) or 'most finishes' (20) in UFC history!!!
For the full event preview, you can listen to the podcast (ep 253) Otherwise, here are your @ChinCheckPod #fightpredictions 🥊
Main Card
Watch Headline Fight breakdown: HERE.
Main Event - Lightweight
Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira (W)
Watch the Co-Main breakdown: HERE.
Co-Main - Flyweight
Alexandre Pantoja (c) (W) vs Kai Kara-France
Watch Main card breakdown: HERE.
Flyweight
Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van (W)
Lightweight
Beneil Dariush (W) vs Renato Moicano
Bantamweight
Payton Talbott (W) vs Felipe Lima
Preliminary card
Watch breakdown: HERE.
Middleweight
Jack Hermansson (W) vs Gregory Rodrigues
Featherweight
Hyder Amil (W) vs Jose Miguel Delgado
Women's Flyweight
Viviane Araújo (W) vs Tracy Cortez
Lightweight
Terrance McKinney (W) vs Viacheslav Borshchev
Early Preliminary card
Watch breakdown: HERE.
Welterweight
Niko Price vs Jacobe Smith (W)
Heavyweight
Jhonata Diniz (W) vs Alvin Hines
Middleweight
Christopher Ewert vs Jackson McVey (W) - CANCELLED