UFC 317: Topuria Stuns Oliveira with First-Round Knockout, Pantoja Dominates Co-Main Event

Topuria’s Explosive Rise: Lightweight Throne and a Bold Callout

If you thought the UFC lightweight division couldn’t get any wilder, Ilia Topuria just tossed that idea out the window. At UFC 317, Topuria crushed Charles Oliveira with a thunderous first-round knockout, snatching the vacant lightweight belt. Not only was this Topuria vs Oliveira clash a quick one, it capped off Topuria’s stretch of three straight knockouts over former champs—remember Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway?

What’s even more interesting is what came after the dust settled. Topuria, never shy on the mic, called out fan-favorite Paddy Pimblett. The two European stars have traded barbs online, and now, a potential showdown could hold even bigger stakes. If the UFC listens to the hype—and they usually do—the grudge match might be headline material soon.

Oddsmakers had flagged Topuria’s knockout power as the deciding factor, especially since Oliveira’s history shows shaky moments in the opening minutes. Bettors who rode Topuria’s side barely had time to sweat before the fight was over. Experts were quick to warn gamblers about Oliveira’s unpredictability, though, as the Brazilian is known for turning fights around in wild fashion. But this time, Topuria’s clinical approach left no room for upsets.

Pantoja Crushes Another Challenger, New Contender Emerges

In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja proved he’s the real deal at flyweight. Facing the aggressive Kai Kara-France, Pantoja showcased his grappling edge by submitting the New Zealander with a rear-naked choke in the third round. That’s ten straight wins against top-10 opponents for Pantoja—try finding a hotter streak in the division.

Kara-France did show flashes of danger, landing crisp shots on the feet, but once Pantoja got hold of him, it was clear who the better grappler was. Betting analysts had flagged Pantoja’s ridiculous submission chops as the safe bet, despite Kara-France’s reputation for knocking opponents out. Punters hoping for a flyweight upset saw just how dominant a well-rounded champion can be.

The night didn’t just belong to champions, though. Joshua Van, who snatched headlines with his all-action victory over Brandon Royval earlier in the card, stepped up to challenge Pantoja next. Van’s wild pace and fearless fighting make him a fresh threat to the king at 125 lbs. The UFC brass love a new contender with momentum, and Van fits the bill after his Fight of the Year-worthy war with Royval.

The undercard threw some new faces into the mix too, as rising prospects carved through tough competition. With big names falling and fresh talent climbing, both lightweight and flyweight divisions feel wide open—if you’re a fan of shakeups, UFC 317 was tailor-made for you.