Key Highlights From the UFC 317 (June 26 – 29, 2025)

UFC 317 took over Las Vegas from June 26 to 29, 2025, and it didn’t waste a second. Fights were fast, finishes were brutal, and a few careers may never be the same. From Topuria’s rocket right hand to Pantoja’s chokehold clinic, the action left fans fired up and fighters facing new futures.

Here are some of the key moments from UFC 317:

Topuria Flattens Oliveira, Becomes Two-Division King

Ilia Topuria made it clear he is no hype job. The former featherweight champ stepped into the cage looking calm but left it as the new lightweight boss. In just one round, he knocked Charles Oliveira out cold and claimed the vacant 155-pound belt.

UFC / IG / The win made Topuria, 28, a two-division champ, still undefeated, and now a legit threat to anyone in two weight classes.

Oliveira came out swinging, but Topuria’s counter game was sharp. He picked his spot, timed it right, and dropped the hammer. One clean combo sent Oliveira crashing. Just like that, Topuria went from contender to king.

Pantoja Squeezes Out Another Title Defense

Alexandre Pantoja didn’t leave any doubt. The Brazilian flyweight champ choked out Kai Kara-France in round three, locking in his fourth title defense. Pantoja dragged him into deep water and never let up. He kept the pressure high, worked for position, and when he saw the neck, it was lights out.

After the fight, Pantoja didn’t take long to name his next target. He wants rising contender Joshua Van, who also scored a win earlier that night. Pantoja’s grip is tight on the flyweight belt, but Van’s speed and hunger could make that one a war.

Sergio Pettis Falls Short in Close PFL Fight

Former UFC bantamweight Sergio Pettis had a rough night. He went toe-to-toe with Raufeon Stots but lost a razor-thin decision. The fight was technical, tactical, and full of scrambles, but Stots edged it on activity and control. Pettis didn’t look bad, but in the PFL’s playoff race, every point matters.

Pettis now has to regroup and figure out his next step. He is still a top-tier talent, but the PFL’s format is unforgiving. Every second counts, and this one slipped just out of reach.

UFC Veterans Make Waves Beyond the Octagon

While UFC 317 was the main stage, former UFC fighters were busy proving they still have got gas in the tank. Over at PFL World Tournament 7 on June 27, Rodrigo Nascimento outpointed Oleg Popov in a gritty heavyweight bout. His move to PFL looks like the right call, with back-to-back wins so far.

UFC / IG / In the PFL mix, Alexandr Romanov settled an old score. He submitted Valentin Moldavsky, flipping the script from their first fight and pushing ahead in the playoff bracket.

Romanov looked more focused, sharper on the ground, and got it done when it mattered.

 Zhumagulov Makes History in Oktagon 73

Zhumagulov finally found gold. The former UFC flyweight put on a dominant show at Oktagon 73, beating Beno Adamia to become the promotion’s first Kazakh champion. He pushed the pace, landed clean shots, and left no question about the scorecards.

Two more UFC vets clashed at Oktagon 73, and Jessin Ayari made sure fans remembered his name. He knocked out Niklas Stolze in a wild back-and-forth scrap. Stolze looked good early, but Ayari found his rhythm and crushed him with a heavy shot that ended it all.

Ayari’s power and timing were the difference. He reminded everyone that even after the UFC, a fighter’s story is not over. That KO might just open more doors for Ayari in Europe or beyond.