UFC 317 Pregame Preview: Topuria vs. Oliveira Presented By Cuervo® | Morning Kombat

·1 hr 22 min·5 clips

UFC 317 week is here, and the biggest star in the promotion faces a dangerous former champion in a potential coronation fight.

The episode is a pre-fight preview for UFC 317, recorded on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, with producer Long Island Luke, break down the pay-per-view card set for Las Vegas during International Fight Week. They open by discussing the retirement of fighter Cheyenne Vlismas before shifting to the main event. The central analysis revolves around whether Ilia Topuria's move to lightweight to face Charles Oliveira is a setup for superstardom or a dangerous matchup against the UFC's all-time submission leader. The hosts debate Topuria's power translation, Oliveira's durability at age 35, and the promotional stakes for the UFC needing a new star. They review a tense exchange between Topuria and backup fighter Arman Tsarukyan. The co-main event features flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending against Kai Kara-France, with praise for Pantoja's late-career evolution. Other card fights discussed include Joshua Van taking on Brandon Royval on short notice, a lightweight bout between Benil Dariush and Renato Moicano, and the pay-per-view opener between Peyton Talbot and Felipe Lima. The hosts grade the overall card an A-minus, noting its depth despite lacking a transcendent star. Predictions are made for key fights, and betting odds from DraftKings are referenced. The tone is informal and humorous, with tequila sponsorship segments interwoven.

As heard by us

A loose but serious debate over whether Topuria's rise has a true historical parallel.

Morning Kombat's UFC 317 pregame preview centers on a broader question than the matchup itself: how Topuria's move up in weight changes the meaning of his run.

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Want Topuria's move up in weight tested against UFC history during UFC 317 week?

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