Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will step into the octagon on Sunday for what could be the defining moment of his career, as he takes on Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight championship at UFC 317.
Topuria (16-0), unbeaten and brimming with confidence, moves up to the 155-pound division after a flawless 2024 campaign in the featherweight ranks. The 28-year-old, who holds dual citizenship with Georgia and Spain, claimed the featherweight title in emphatic fashion, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round. He followed it up with a dominant third-round finish of Max Holloway in October in Abu Dhabi.
Now ranked fourth in the UFC’s pound-for-pound list, Topuria is aiming to etch his name into the history books by becoming just the 10th fighter to win UFC titles in two different weight classes. Known for his explosive finishes, he boasts eight submission victories and six knockouts, with nine of his wins coming in the first round.
But standing in his way is Brazilian veteran Charles Oliveira (35-10), a former lightweight champion determined to reclaim the throne. Oliveira, already the UFC’s all-time leader in finishes, has 21 submission wins and 10 by knockout. Victory on Sunday would make him the first fighter to win the UFC lightweight title on two separate occasions.
The high-stakes clash promises fireworks, pitting Oliveira’s seasoned grappling and finishing instincts against Topuria’s speed, power, and momentum.
Co-Main Event: A Long-Awaited Rematch
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (29-5) defends his belt against Kai Kara-France (25-11) in a rematch nearly a decade in the making. The two first met in the quarterfinals of *The Ultimate Fighter*, where Pantoja claimed a unanimous decision victory.
Now, nine years later, they meet again — this time with UFC gold on the line.
UFC 317 promises a night of high drama and potentially historic outcomes as two title fights headline a stacked card.