Five reasons to watch UFC 317, with Charles do Bronx and Alexandre Pantoja fighting for the belt

Ilia Topuria x Charles of the Bronx No. UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC Brasil

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The big moment has arrived. This Saturday (28), in Las Vegas (USA), the UFC 317, one of the most anticipated events of the year. With 11 fights scheduled, the show will have Charles of the Bronx e Alexandre pantoja as protagonists. While the São Paulo native returns to the octagon to try to return to the top of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), the Rio native seeks success in his fourth belt defense in the flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg).

Former UFC lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) leader, Do Bronx will step into the octagon to measure strength with Ilia Topuria. Former division champion, the Brazilian has a new opportunity after Islam makhachev vacate the top position in the Ultimate.

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In search of another chapter in his legacy, Pantoja takes revenge against Kai Kara France, from a fight he won on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). The fighter has already done Brandon royval, Steve Erceg e Kai Asakura of victims by the belt.

In addition to Charles and Pantoja, Brazil has five more representatives. Renato Moicano, Felipe Lima, Gregory Robocop, Viviane Araujo e Jonathan Diniz take the country's colors to the octagon.

To get in the mood, the team at SUPER FIGHTS selected five reasons to follow the show.

1) Charles do Bronx and the dream of the belt

C. Do Bronx after his first UFC belt defense. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Charles of the Bronx e Ilia Topuria are competing for the vacant lightweight title (70,3 kg) with legacies at stake. A former champion, the Brazilian is seeking to become the first fighter to regain the belt in the history of the division. He was champion between 2021 and 2022, when he won Michael chandler and defended the post before Dustin poirier.

Furthermore, if he wins, Charles will add another former champion of the organization3 to his list of victories. The 35-year-old from São Paulo has already beaten names such as Tony Ferguson, Dustin poirier e Justin gaethje in the organization.

2) Topuria by history

Ilia Topuria is a former featherweight champion (Photo / Reproduction Instagram UFC)

After relinquishing his featherweight title (up to 65,7kg), Topuria has the chance to become champion in a new division and add another legend to his resume, after winning Alexander Volkanovsky e Max Holloway in sequence.

And there's more: Topuria makes his first definitive appearance at lightweight. The Georgian varies between 81kg and 83kg in his natural weight and has the chance to feel '100%' for the first time, without the wear and tear of severe weight cutting.

3) Pantoja and the fourth title defense

Alexandre pantoja celebrates winning the flyweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Alexandre pantoja defends his flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg) for the fourth time against the dangerous Kai Kara France. The Brazilian, champion since July 2023, has the chance to become the second biggest champion in the weight class, behind only Demetrious Johnson.

The New Zealander, trained by Israel adesanya e Alexander Volkanovsky, has won four of his last six fights and is aiming to break his rival's hegemony. He also wants to avenge the defeat he suffered in 'The Ultimate Fighter 24' in 2016, when he was defeated by the judges' unanimous decision.

4) Moicano x Dariush – Finally, the meeting…

Renato Moicano (dir.) faces Beneil Dariush (left) in UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFC

After postponement in January, Renato Moicano e Beneil Dariush finally face each other. The Brazilian, with four wins in five fights, is trying to get back on track, right after being defeated by Islam makhachev for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg.) in the UFC 311, in January of this year.

Former top 5 in the division, Dariush is trying to bounce back from two consecutive losses. The veteran, in an exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTS, guarantees that a victory against Moicano will put him back in the conversation for the 'gold' up to 70,3kg.

5) Brazil in full force at the event

Gregory Robocop in victory in UFC Las Vegas 86 (Photo: Instagram/UFC Canada)

International Struggle Week ends with Charles of the Bronx e Alexandre pantoja by the belt, besides Renato Moicano in a duel of veterans, but that's not all for Brazil. Four other fighters, between the main and preliminary cards, want to make the most of their 'moral' to perform in the big show.

Undefeated in the UFC, Felipe Lima opens the main program in front of Payton Talbott. The 'Jungle Boy', as he is known, can bet on grappling to overcome the North American.

Gregory Robocop, in turn, is responsible for closing the preliminary. Despite having lost to Jared Cannonier, he is favorite against Jack hermansson.

Viviane Araujo e Jonathan Diniz are other fighters who carry the green-yellow flag for the event. They face Tracy Cortez and Alvin Hines, respectively.

UFC 317 technical sheet

Date: June 28, 2025

Open Hours: From 19:30 pm (Brasília time)

Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE In real time, UFC Fight Pass (the entire card) online.

MAIN CARD (23pm Brasília time)

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Ilia Topuria x Charles of the Bronx – fight for the belt

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Alexandre pantoja x Kai Kara France – fight for the belt

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Brandon royval x Joshua Van

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Beneil Dariush x Renato Moicano

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Payton Talbott x Felipe Lima

PRELIMINARY CARD (19:30 p.m. Brasília time)

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Jack hermansson x Gregory Robocop

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Hyder Amil x Joseph Delgado

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Viviane Araujo x Tracy Cortez

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): terrance mckinney x Viacheslav Borshchev

Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Jackson McVey vs. Christopher Ewert

Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Jonathan Diniz x Alvin Hines

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Niko Price x Jacobe Smith