talkSPORT betting tips – Best bets and expert advice for UFC 317 ...Middle East

Ilia Topuria looks to become a two weight UFC champion as he faces Charles Oliveira for the vacant Lightweight title at UFC 317.

The Spanish fighter left the Featherweight division earlier in the year to move to 155lbs, which then saw Islam Makhachev make his own move to Welterweight.

International Fight Week’s co-main event sees Alexandre Pantoja attempt to make a fourth defence of his flyweight title against Kai Kara-France.

Here we look at some of the best bets from the main card.

UFC 317

Two division champ Topuria?

When it comes to fun match-ups Ilia Topuria (16-0-0) and Charles Oliveira (35-10-0, 1 NC) are unlikely to disappoint.

Topuria gets an immediate title shot at Lightweight after vacating the 145lb belt following back-to-back title wins against two of the division’s all time greats, Max Holloway and Alexandre Volkanovski.

A second-round knockout of Volkanovski saw the Spanish fighter win the belt last February before he then backed it up with a third-round stoppage of Holloway in October, the latter victory made all the more impressive with the Haiwaan having never been knocked down in 29 previous UFC contests.

The 28-year-old moves to his new division without a single blemish on his record, with his eight-fight UFC stretch seeing six finishes, five by knockout and an impressive submission victory over Bryce Micthell.

Oliveira makes his 34th Octagon walk here and returns to title class following a five-round domination of Michael Chandler in November.

It was a rematch of the bout which saw the Brazilian capture the vacant Lightweight title in 2021, where he knocked out the American before making one defence when submitting Dustin Poirier.

Ultimately losing the belt on the scales ahead of a win over Justin Gaethje, the 35-year-old lost his next fight against Islam Makhachev for what was also a vacant title. 

Oliveira is always dangerous, holding the record for most UFC finishes, submissions and bonuses but has done so through having a walk forward, often reckless style.

While this is a new permanent division for Topuria, he made one appearance at 155 lbs in 2022 when knocking out Jai Herbert in the second round, coming back after suffering an early knockdown. 

Topuria is not only a strong grappler but has supreme timing and accuracy in his boxing and now fully committed to the division, it’s hard not to see the Spanish fighter carrying up his power and at some stage creating an opening to finish the fight. 

Moicano to be back on the money

Renato Moicano (20-5-1) and Beneil Dariush (22-6-1) finally meet after a crazy turn of events at UFC 311 in January.

After Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of the main event in the middle of the night ahead of weigh -ins citing a back injury, Moicano stepped up to face Islam Makhachev, leaving Dariush without a fight.

In the end, Makhachev made the expected light work of the Brazilian, submitting him via D’arce choke in the first round.

It brought a four-fight winning streak to an end for Moicano, who racked up three impressive wins in 2024 against Benoit Saint-Denis, Jailin Turner and Drew Dober.

The 35-year-old’s final appearance of the year saw him stop Saint-Denis in his home city of Paris following a second-round doctor stoppage after a barrage of vicious ground and pound.

Dariush was last seen losing back-to-back fights in 2023 in devastating fashion. 

The American was stopped in the first round by Arman Tsarukyan in December of that year, while Charles Oliveira also finished him in the first round with ground and pound six months earlier.

Dariush had been on an eight-fight winning streak before those defeats, with victories over the likes of Mateusz Gamrot, Tony Ferguson and Diego Ferreira. 

Both men have been submission artists in the UFC, with Moicano securing six from his 12 wins, while Dariush has five from his 16 successes. 

Losing to Makhachev at just over 24 hours notice is far from a disgrace and although Dariush has had an extended period to prepare, Moicano’s activity and formline should still give him the edge.

Niko to pay the price

Jacobe Smith (10-0-0) can add to his growing highlight reel here against Niko Price (16-8-0, 2 NC).

Smith is 1-0 in the UFC, knocking out Preston Parsons in the first round on debut in January with a vicious left hook.

The 29-year-old earned his contract on The Contender Series by dominating Christien Savoie last October, finishing the fight with ground and pound in the second round.

The former Oklahoma State wrestler looks big for the division and remains unbeaten in MMA with eight finishes from his 10 pro wins.

Price is a journeyman who is 8-8 with two no-contests in the UFC, however since 2021 has slumped to 2-4.

The 35-year-old was last seen losing to Themba Gorimbo (UD) in October, but did manage to pick up a win over Alex Morono (UD) earlier in 2024.

From his eight UFC defeats. Price has been finished six times including five by KO, and it feels like Smith has both the size and power to find the mark.

A huge favourite overall, but Smith to get a finish feels an accumulator friendly pick.

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