UFC 317 - Two Titles on the line! LW&FlyW Oliveira/Topuria + KKF/Pantoja and more

[Clav]

https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-317

https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/124086-ufc-317

Big PPV this weekend, and one I've been looking forward too!


Fight card --

Ilia Topuria vs. C. Oliveira
155 lbs

A. Pantoja vs. K. Kara-France
125 lbs

Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van
125 lbs

Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
155 lbs

Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima
135 lbs

J. Hermansson vs. G. Rodrigues
185 lbs

Hyder Amil vs. Jose Delgado
145 lbs

Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez
125 lbs

T. McKinney vs. V. Borshchev
155 lbs

S. Dumas vs. Jackson McVey
185 lbs

Jhonata Diniz vs. Alvin Hines
265 lbs

Niko Price vs. Jacobe Smith
170 lbs

[Clav]

My previews-

Ilia Topuria vs. C. Oliveira
Main Event 155 lbs - LW Title Fight
- Topuria is moving up in weight class after tearing through Featherweight, but also he didn't want to make that cut. Islam vacated the belt to move up to Welterweight, so Oliveira and Topuria are fighting for the vacated belt - thus the winner is the LW Champ. Wild, honestly. I love me some 'do Bronx' and he might be one of my favourite fighters of all time, but he has issues matching some fighters in the stand-up, where Topuria excels. Also, wrestling is not an area of problem for Ilia either, it would take a very slick submission for Charles to win here, I think. Topuria TKO2 is my prediction.

A. Pantoja vs. K. Kara-France
Co-Main Event 125 lbs - FlyW Title Fight
- Pantoja has defended his title multiple times already and has rose the occasion each time. He's a great fighter and this should be a wonderful co-main for us fight fans. It's also a TUF re-match where Pantoja won a DEC over KKF. Those are considered exhibition matches but it was a sign for things to come as well because Moreno was also on that season lol Now all are FlyW contenders or champs. I like this fight a lot, but still think Pantoja wins via Submission R2.

Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van
125 lbs
- Van is a great boxer and is hard to deal with on the feet. I like Royval's pace, but not seeing a KO or finish here. Van DEC.

Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
155 lbs
- Okay, Dariush is still a decent fighter, but he's looked pretty bad in a recent string of fights. I don't expect this to go the distance. Moicano TKO2.

Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima
135 lbs
- Talbott is a very hyped up and coming striker but he lost his last match by getting outwrestled badly. I'm sure Lima will play into the striking game more, but he's undefeated in the UFC, and I'm picking Lima to continue that via another DEC.

J. Hermansson vs. G. Rodrigues
185 lbs
- The LHWs fight here, and "Robocop" (Rodrigues) is a fun fighter, usually engages heavily on the feet. Hermansson is gonna give it right back, could be FOTN. Rodrigues DEC for me.

Hyder Amil vs. Jose Delgado
145 lbs
- Unsure of either fighter completely. Amil KO2, but it's a shot in the dark.

Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez
125 lbs
- Good matchup of two WMMA contenders but I don't think either pick is a bad one. Cortez is a cutie so I'm picking her, though Araujo has looked improved, she's also lost to more suspect opponents.

T. McKinney vs. V. Borshchev
155 lbs
- McKinney DEC over a my guy Borschev who is a pretty fun watch most of the time.

S. Dumas vs. Jackson McVey
185 lbs
- Dumas is a low-IQ fighter, he looked good vs regional scene, but in the UFC he's really struggled. This is the definition of a win-or-be-cut fight for Dumas because the guy he's fighting is making his UFC debut. So, I'm picking the upstart bc I don't trust Dumas at all.

Jhonata Diniz vs. Alvin Hines
265 lbs
- Diniz KO2. outmatched.

Niko Price vs. Jacobe Smith
170 lbs
- Smith KO 1. outmatched. TBH Smith is a newer fighter, but he's a great wrestler and a deathtouch puncher. He's getting a good test against a UFC veteran, but Niko has a suspect chin these days after years taking punches and Smith basically flatlined his last two opponents easily. I'm predicting the first three fights to be "exciting" for the finishes, but they will be examples of levels in the game.

[Dupp]

UFC has been rough this year but this is a really good card

[Dupp]

If you really think T rex is gonna win a decision put money on it because that’ll be good odds. His fight don’t go 2 rounds 95% of the time.

[Dupp]

Yeah he’s paying $14 by decision. Dunno what that is in backwards American betting lines.

[duppyy]

Joe Rogan said “Charles is absorbing these punches”. Then he gets knocked out right after saying that lol

[Dupp]

Ilia is a **** menace.

[GoRapstheoriginal]

Great night of fights! Wowowowo!