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UFC 317: Main Card Preview
As we gear up for UFC 317, the main card is stacked with high-stakes matchups and captivating narratives. From a vacant lightweight title fight to a fan-favorite bantamweight clash, let's dive into the main card with a breakdown of each bout.
If you want to see an early preview, check out this week’s Coast-2-Coast Combat Hour:
Lightweight Title Bout: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Odds: Topuria (-430) vs. Oliveira (+320)
This is a phenomenal matchup for the vacant lightweight title, pitting the undefeated powerhouse against the division's most prolific finisher.
The betting odds heavily favor Topuria, who has been on a tear, knocking out featherweight legends like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. "Do Bronx" is known for his incredible recovery and ability to turn a knockdown into a submission, Topuria's power is truly next-level.
If Topuria lands a clean shot, he has the power to put anyone's lights out for good.
If Oliveira can get this fight to the canvas, his world-class jiu-jitsu, complete with a high-level submission game, gives him a clear advantage. However, Topuria has a solid BJJ background himself, so it will be a fascinating chess match on the mat if it goes there.
Flyweight Title Bout: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Kara-France
Odds: Pantoja (-245) vs. Kara-France (+194)
The co-main event sees flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defend his belt against the dangerous striker Kai Kara-France. This is a rematch from their time on The Ultimate Fighter, where Pantoja got the win.
Pantoja is known for his relentless pressure, grappling prowess, and suffocating pace. While Kara-France has serious knockout power, as demonstrated in his recent TKO victory over Steve Erceg, Pantoja is incredibly durable and hard to put away. If Kara-France can keep the fight standing and land a big shot, he could certainly change the course of the fight.
However, Pantoja's well-rounded skillset and grappling advantage make him a very tough puzzle to solve, and the fight going to the judges' scorecards is a strong possibility.
Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Odds: Moicano (-120) vs. Dariush (-102)
This lightweight clash promises fireworks between two high-level grapplers who are not afraid to stand and trade.
Dariush, a veteran with powerful hands and a stellar BJJ game, is looking to bounce back from two consecutive knockout losses. I think Renato Moicano is the "fresher fighter" at this stage in their careers, and the odds seem to agree, slightly favoring him. Moicano has been on a tear, winning five straight before a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev.
He has a dangerous submission game and a constantly improving striking game. This fight is a battle of wills, but given Dariush's recent struggles and Moicano's momentum, I think he pulls it off.
Flyweight: Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van
Odds: Royval (+104) vs. Van (-128)
This flyweight showdown is a compelling matchup of styles, with Brandon Royval's chaotic and high-paced approach facing off against the rising prospect Joshua Van.
Van is stepping in on short notice, which is a significant factor in any fight. While Van is a dangerous up-and-comer, a short-notice replacement against a top-tier flyweight like Royval is a massive challenge.
The odds for this fight changed a lot since I did the podcast on Monday, with Royval suddenly a slight underdog the day before the event. It might be worth dropping a few bucks on him if it continues.
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima
Odds: Talbott (+148) vs. Lima (-184)
The odds favor Lima, but Talbott is coming off a loss and doesn't want another.
This is a powerful motivator for any fighter, especially a young prospect who is trying to build momentum. Talbott is known for his high-volume striking and willingness to engage, and after his first professional loss, he will undoubtedly be looking to make a statement.
Lima is a tough competitor, and the betting market sees him as the favorite, but the desire to bounce back from a loss is a potent force that could drive Talbott to a dominant performance.
All the odds listed in this post are from FanDuel. They usually offer better odds than the other books. Sign up using my link (terms apply) to help support my work and a chance to bring home some cash.
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