The lightweight title main event between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira headlines UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It’s a compelling clash between an undefeated former featherweight champion moving up and one of the most dangerous submission specialists in UFC history, with the vacant lightweight belt on the line.
Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian-Spanish fighter known for his ferocious pace, sharp boxing, and lethal submissions. He is the former UFC Featherweight Champion, having stopped Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in back-to-back fights before vacating the belt to move up to lightweight. With a perfect 16–0 professional record featuring 6 knockouts and 8 submissions, Topuria has proven himself one of MMA’s most complete finishers.
Topuria’s last fight was a devastating KO of Max Holloway in October 2024, reinforcing his power and composure under pressure. Though he’s fought once before at lightweight (a KO of Jai Herbert in 2022), this is his first real test against an elite, true lightweight contender. He’s physically strong for 145 pounds, but Oliveira will be his most experienced and dangerous opponent to date in the grappling department.
Ilia Topuria – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Max Holloway – KO (Punches) (UFC 308, October 26, 2024)
2. Win vs. Alexander Volkanovski – KO (Punch) (UFC 298, February 17, 2024)
3. Win vs. Josh Emmett – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC on ABC, June 24, 2023)
4. Win vs. Bryce Mitchell – Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) (UFC 282, December 10, 2022)
5. Win vs. Jai Herbert – KO (Punches) (UFC Fight Night, March 19, 2022)
Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira is a Brazilian lightweight legend and former UFC Lightweight Champion. Known for his record-setting 16 UFC submission wins and 20 finishes, “Do Bronx” is a lethal, opportunistic finisher. With a professional record of 35–10 (1 NC), Oliveira has built a reputation for walking opponents down, hurting them on the feet, and jumping on submissions.
His recent form has been mixed. He lost a close split decision to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 but rebounded with a five-round war over Michael Chandler in November 2024. Oliveira’s wins over Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Chandler (twice) showcase his champion’s heart and finishing ability, but he’s also shown vulnerability to pressure and power striking, particularly in his loss to Islam Makhachev.
Charles Oliveira – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Michael Chandler – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC 309, November 16, 2024)
2. Loss vs. Arman Tsarukyan – Decision (Split) (UFC 300, April 13, 2024)
3. Win vs. Beneil Dariush – TKO (Punches) (UFC 289, June 10, 2023)
4. Loss vs. Islam Makhachev – Submission (Arm-Triangle) (UFC 280, October 22, 2022)
5. Win vs. Justin Gaethje – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (UFC 274, May 7, 2022)
Oliveira has elite experience at lightweight, championship-level conditioning, and the ability to find finishes even when hurt. But at 35, he's aging, and his chin has been cracked in past wars.
Prediction
This lightweight title fight is a fascinating style clash: Topuria’s ferocity, boxing, and top pressure vs. Oliveira’s length, dynamic striking, and world-class submission game.
Oliveira is a proven lightweight, while Topuria is taking the biggest risk of his career in moving up to face such a dangerous finisher. But Oliveira’s tendency to get dropped or hurt in big fights is a serious liability against Topuria’s precision power.
If Oliveira can survive the early blitz and force Topuria into deeper waters, he can create submission opportunities or overwhelm the Georgian with volume. But Topuria’s composure, finishing instincts, and youth give him a real edge.
Prediction:
Ilia Topuria def. Charles Oliveira via TKO (Punches) in Round 2.
Expect an early, high-paced firefight. Topuria will pressure Oliveira, capitalize on defensive lapses, and finish with ground-and-pound after hurting him on the feet.