UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira: Preview, Odds & How to Watch

The hottest person in the Featherweight division, Ilia Topuria (16-0), takes centre stage in UFC 317. He will try to capture the vacant crown against the veteran Charles Oliveira (35-10). It’s a battle of past vs. present, where Oliveira could regain the champion status he held in a different division not too long ago. As one of the most battle-tested fighters in UFC’s history, having the #2 rank amongst lightweights, Oliveira could pose a real threat to El Matador – the current golden boy. 

The only proper stage for a bout of this magnitude is Las Vegas, where UFC 317 is going down on June 28 (early morning of June 29 UK time). Let’s see the tale of the tape, compare the fighting styles of both gladiators and see the odds, too. 

Topuria vs. Oliveira: Fight Details

• Date: Saturday, June 28 
• Time: Around 3 AM, June 29, UK time
• Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, USA
• At stake: UFC’s Lightweight Belt
• Betting odds available at 7bet UK

Expect to see a sold-out crowd cheering their favourite for the whole 5 rounds. UK fans should prepare for a long night, as the ring walks are not expected until 3 AM on Sunday. However, this could be delayed if the undercards take longer.

Ilia Topuria – “El Matador” 

Record: 16-0 (6 KOs)

The rise of ‘El Matador could be labelled as meteoric. Rising from out of nowhere, the 28-year-old fast became one of the hottest names in UFC and is poised to become a champion soon. The Georgian-German-Spanish featherweight knocked out Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway in succession to solidify his dominance in the division, rising to #4 in the UFC P4P rankings. As Islam Makhachev vacates his belt to fight amongst welterweights, it’s his time to shine.

Carrying a confident swagger to every ring or media appearance, Topuria is a super well-rounded combat artist. He is one of the few UFC champions who’s both a talented grappler and a strong striker. 

In fact, Topuria’s striking has become even more deadly with every fight, as 5 of his 6 total KOs came in the last 8 bouts. This makes him a standout in the lightweight division, as knockouts here are much less frequent than with the heavier fighters.

Experts, fans, and opponents praise Topuria’s Ring IQ, as he remains extremely calm and collected, even when the pressure is piled on him. The UD win against Josh Emmett proved to be a prime example as the multi-national Topuria dismantled his opponent (outscoring 50-42 in one round) to provide one of the most lopsided scorecards in UFC history.  

Ilia Topuria – Last 5 Fights

Topuria has finished 4 out of the last 5 opponents early. And even with Emmett taking the Georgian national the whole distance, it wasn’t much of a contest, to be honest. Right now, ‘El Matador’ is the hottest lightweight in the world, and stopping him will require a legendary performance from any opponent.

Charles Oliveira – “Do Bronx”

Record: 35-10 (10 KOs)

If you look at the list of UFC fighters with the most storied legacies, BJJ-savant Charles Oliveira is definitely near the top of this list. With 45 pro fights to his name, the 35-year-old holds multiple UFC records:

• Most Finishes in UFC history (20)
• Most Submissions in UFC history (16)
• First-ever Reverse Calf Slicer (vs Eric Wisely)
• Most Overall Fight Bonuses (20)
• Most Performance of the Night bonuses (13)
• He’s also TOP 7 all-time in bout numbers (will rise to #6 after UFC: 317)

You get the gist.

The nickname “Do Bronx” (slang for “from the favela”) accurately reflects his persona and combat style. Humble beginnings had the Brazilian’s back against the wall for most of his life, so he fights like so. 

Oliveira enjoyed a legendary run a while back, capturing the vacant Lightweight title in 2021 and defending it a few times for good measure. “Do Bronx” also did it with style, knocking out Michael Chandler and submitting Dustin Poirier. As experts like to put it, Charles Oliveira can walk through fire to get to victory. 

Stats don’t lie, and Oliveira has solidified his status as arguably the fighting game’s most deadly finisher, holding the record for most submissions ever. 

However, opponents mustn’t underestimate his kicking and punching as “Do Bronx” has 10 KOs to his name. Now chasing a return to the top, the current #2 Lightweight is still a force to be reckoned with and could provide a hefty challenge for the belt. 

Charles Oliveira – Last 5 Fights

After losing his belt to Islam Makhachev in October of 2022, he rebounded with a win against Beneil Dariush. While he lost a split-decision bout to Arman Tsarukyan, a vengeful comeback was once again in the books as the Brazilian dismantled Michael Chandler for a UD victory. It’s now or never for Oliveira to truly etch his name in history books of UFC.

Tale of the Tape

Both fighters are very different physically. El Matador has a smaller build and a shorter reach than “Do Bronx”, but Topuria has an aura of invincibility around him. Oliveira has tasted defeat before, and this could become a factor. 

Key Factors to Watch

Since the belt is now vacated, one of these men will be crowned champion by the end of the night. No one can deny that Topuria is the likely favourite, enjoying a scorching hot run as of late. However, Oliveira has a lot more experience and doesn’t have as much to lose. It can get testy during the 5 rounds, but that’s what UFC is all about, right? 

• Division Move & Physical Differences. Topuria jumped from Featherweight to lightweight. He added more muscle and power, displaying KO power bout after bout. He is so confident that ‘El Matador’ predicts a 1st round KO win. On the other hand, Oliveira is a submission maestro, capable of delivering devastating ground moves. It’s likely that Topuria will need to hold the distance and pile on striking pressure as Oliveira has longer arms to dominate grappling action. This delicate balance makes for a mouthwatering appeal for fans, making UFC 317 one of those ‘can’t miss’ events.

• Striking vs Grappling. Both fighters are quite versatile in their approach, with Topuria having a bit more punching power. Knocking out Volkanovski and Holloway is no small feat, but ‘El Matador’ did just that. However, he needs to keep Oliveira at bay, as so many have seen defeat once ‘Do Bronx’ gets them on the ground. If age becomes a factor and Oliveira lost at least a step in the last months, Topuria can make this a painful experience for him.

• Aura. Oliveira has a 17-year career. He has been a champion and is currently in his ‘Avenger’ era, trying to recapture former glory. Topuria is undefeated and has immense confidence, dispatching opponents who could be labelled as equally, if not more capable, than his UFC 317 foe. If ‘El Matador’ is 100%-ready, most experts don’t even see the bout going to the scorecards as the Brazilian could be dragged to deep waters early.

Both Reddit fans and UFC analysts say that Topuria’s step up to the Lightweight division isn’t just for show. He completely transformed his physio, becoming a more resilient striker. As one fan put it – he hits like a truck, only has been taken down once and hasn’t really been hurt. So, it’s game on for Oliveira to change the narrative

Topuria vs. Oliveira: Betting Odds

You can find odds for UFC 317: Topuria vs Oliveira right here on 7bet UK. Below is a table with the winner odds, accurate as of June 13, 2025.

Winner

How to Watch UFC 317: Topuria vs Oliveira in the UK?

UK fans can catch UFC 317 action on TNT Sports through Discover+ Premium that includes TNT. You can watch the fight live or see a replay the next day. UFC 317 should start with the prelim fights around 11.00 PM BST on Saturday, and ring walks for the main event of Topuria vs Oliveira expected at 3.00 AM Sunday.

FAQ

How Much Will the Fighters Earn From This Fight?

The official purse isn’t disclosed before the fights, but during UFC 308, where he beat Max Holloway, Topuria cashed a cold $3.992 million. This time around, it should also be in the 7-figure range for ‘El Matador’. Oliveira will likely earn less but should get more than $500k.

Who is the Favourite in the Topuria vs Oliveira Bout?

In the eyes of many experts, it’s an 80/20 advantage for Topuria as he’s the favourite in the books and the eyes of many experts.

Why is this a Championship Bout?

The most recent champ, Islam Makhachev, moved up a category, just like Topuria did. However, by doing so, Makhachev vacated his belt, and one of these two gladiators will become the new UFC Lightweight king. 

What are the Strongest Traits of Both Fighters?

Topuria is a well-rounded artist in the octagon, having equal prowess in both striking and grappling, along with legendary Ring IQ. Oliveira can do some damage with his punching but is primarily a BJJ virtuoso, excelling when fights slow down. 

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