Ilia Topuria captured the vacant UFC lightweight championship Saturday night, knocking out Charle...

<p>Ilia Topuria captured the vacant UFC lightweight championship Saturday night, knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round of the UFC 317 main event in Las Vegas.</p><p>In the co-headliner, Alexandre Pantoja defended the flyweight title for the fourth time with a third-round submission of Kai Kara-France.</p><p>Here are four takeaways from the pay-per-view event.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Topuria is quickly becoming the face of the UFC</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792407/cropped_GettyImages-2222692330.jpg?ts=1751225840" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792407/w220xh124_GettyImages-2222692330.jpg?ts=1751225840 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792407/w320xh180_GettyImages-2222692330.jpg?ts=1751225840 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792407/w640xh360_GettyImages-2222692330.jpg?ts=1751225840 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792407/w768xh432_GettyImages-2222692330.jpg?ts=1751225840 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792407/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2222692330.jpg?ts=1751225840 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Dana White called Topuria a star after UFC 317, and he's certainly not wrong.</p><p>Many would argue the UFC product hasn't been its best in 2025, but Topuria is one of the bright spots. With Jon Jones retiring, Conor McGregor nowhere to be found, and several current champions struggling to create buzz, the promotion desperately needs someone like Topuria to shine in the Octagon <em>and</em> draw in fans. And Topuria is delivering on all fronts.</p><p>We've all had high hopes for Topuria since his UFC debut in 2020. But it's never been clearer that the 28-year-old Georgian-Spaniard is a special, generational talent. On Saturday, Topuria put an exclamation mark on what is arguably the greatest three-fight run in UFC history: knockouts of three future Hall of Famers in Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Oliveira. It's impossible to overstate the impressiveness of these victories. It's not just who he's beating, it's how he's doing it: in dominant, violent fashion.</p><p>We're witnessing an all-time great in the making - and he's carrying the sport on his shoulders.</p><h3>Pantoja deserves more pound-for-pound respect</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792408/cropped_GettyImages-2222688316.jpg?ts=1751225905" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792408/w220xh124_GettyImages-2222688316.jpg?ts=1751225905 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792408/w320xh180_GettyImages-2222688316.jpg?ts=1751225905 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792408/w640xh360_GettyImages-2222688316.jpg?ts=1751225905 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792408/w768xh432_GettyImages-2222688316.jpg?ts=1751225905 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792408/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2222688316.jpg?ts=1751225905 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Pantoja is the UFC's most dominant champion. That's a fact. So why is he the lowest-ranked champion on the men's pound-for-pound list at No. 9?</p><p>Truthfully, it makes no sense. Pantoja's reign is the longest out of the eight current male champions. He won the title in July 2023 and has defended it four times. He's also outclassed almost everyone the UFC has put in front of him, which has created a wide gap between him and the rest of the 125-pound contenders.</p><p>After his latest victory over Kara-France, Pantoja deserves to move up several spots in the pound-for-pound rankings. As things stand, the Brazilian is being outright disrespected.</p><h3>Van injects new blood into the flyweight division</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792409/cropped_GettyImages-2222689076.jpg?ts=1751225988" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792409/w220xh124_GettyImages-2222689076.jpg?ts=1751225988 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792409/w320xh180_GettyImages-2222689076.jpg?ts=1751225988 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792409/w640xh360_GettyImages-2222689076.jpg?ts=1751225988 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792409/w768xh432_GettyImages-2222689076.jpg?ts=1751225988 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792409/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2222689076.jpg?ts=1751225988 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>First of all, Joshua Van and Brandon Royval can take a bow. Their main-card flyweight bout was incredible and easily the front-runner for Fight of the Year.</p><p>Secondly, Van is a special talent.</p><p>Think about this: The 23-year-old fought Bruno Silva three weeks ago, stopping him in the third round of a grueling fight. Then he agreed to step in on two weeks' notice against the No. 1-ranked flyweight in the UFC after Manel Kape fell off the card with an injury. And he got the job done.</p><p>Van is moving up the flyweight ladder at a record pace. He faced off with Pantoja in the Octagon after their respective wins and is likely next in line for a title shot. He's injected some new blood into the 125-pound title picture, and at this point, it seems like the only man with any chance of stopping him is the champ himself.</p><h3>Dariush still a player at 155 pounds</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792410/cropped_GettyImages-2222682195.jpg?ts=1751225994" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792410/w220xh124_GettyImages-2222682195.jpg?ts=1751225994 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792410/w320xh180_GettyImages-2222682195.jpg?ts=1751225994 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792410/w640xh360_GettyImages-2222682195.jpg?ts=1751225994 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792410/w768xh432_GettyImages-2222682195.jpg?ts=1751225994 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792410/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2222682195.jpg?ts=1751225994 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Thirty-six-year-old Beneil Dariush came back from an 18-month layoff to beat Renato Moicano, snap a two-fight losing streak, and earn his first victory since October 2022.</p><p>All of which is to say, Dariush has still got it.</p><p>Dariush has been one of the most underrated lightweights throughout his entire 11-year UFC career. He hit a rough patch against some tough competition in 2023, but he put on a gutsy performance in his UFC 317 return. He survived a knockdown in the first round and outworked Moicano in the next two to get the judges' nod.</p><p>Dariush might not be fighting for a title anytime soon, but he showed Saturday that he still deserves to be talked about at 155 pounds.</p>

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UFC 317 takeaways: Topuria officially a superstar

A rematch between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn will take place Sept. 20 in London, Turki Alals...

<p>A rematch between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn will take place Sept. 20 in London, Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, confirmed to his media outlet, <a href="https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/chris-eubank-vs-conor-benn-ii-set-for-sept-20-in-london-says-turki-alalshikh">Ring Magazine</a>, on Sunday.</p><p>A venue hasn't been finalized.</p><p>Eubank and Benn delivered a Fight of the Year candidate in April, with Eubank earning a unanimous decision victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Negotiations for a rematch began shortly after the fight, though a date wasn't set until now.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The matchup will again be contested at middleweight with a 10-pound rehydration clause. Eubank missed weight for the first fight, coming in 0.05 pounds over the 160-pound limit.</p><p>Eubank is riding a three-fight winning streak. The 35-year-old Englishman holds a 35-3 career record. </p><p>Benn suffered his first pro loss against Eubank, falling to 23-1. The 28-year-old London native has fought just once in the last 16 months.</p>

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Chris Eubank and Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, 2025 in London, England.

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Eubank-Benn rematch set for Sept. 20 in London

Devin Haney will challenge Brian Norman Jr. for the WBO welterweight title in November in Riyadh,...

<p>Devin Haney will challenge Brian Norman Jr. for the WBO welterweight title in November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, <a href="https://x.com/Turki_alalshikh/status/1939344917295161406">announced</a> Sunday.</p><p>A specific date for the matchup wasn't revealed.</p><p>Haney, the former undisputed lightweight champion and WBC junior welterweight titleholder, is seeking a title in a third weight class. The November bout will mark his first fight at 147 pounds.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 26-year-old is coming off a unanimous decision win over Jose Ramirez at a blockbuster event in New York's Times Square in May. Haney holds a 32-0 (1 NC) record.</p><p>Norman delivered a Knockout of the Year candidate earlier in June in Tokyo, finishing Jin Sasaki in the fifth round to retain his title. The 24-year-old was promoted to WBO welterweight champion last August and has defended the belt twice this year. Norman is 28-0 (2 NC).</p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Devin Haney weighs in for his welterweight bout against Jose Ramirez at the Manhattan Center for their fight in Times Square on May 01, 2025 in New York City.

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Haney to face Norman for welterweight title

Jake Paul defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via unanimous decision in a cruiserweight bout Saturday...

<p>Jake Paul defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via unanimous decision in a cruiserweight bout Saturday night at Honda Center in Anaheim.</p><p>The judges scored the fight 99-91, 97-93, 98-92 in Paul's favor.</p><p>Paul returned to the boxing ring for the first time since he beat 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a blockbuster fight last November on Netflix.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"The Problem Child" dominated Chavez throughout Saturday's main event. He controlled the action with his jab and stayed busier than his opponent. Paul outstruck Chavez 140-61 in total punches, 65-8 in jabs, and 75-53 in power shots.</p><p>Paul, the YouTube star turned prizefighter, is now riding a six-fight winning streak. He hasn't lost since facing Tommy Fury in February 2023. Paul, 28, holds a 12-1 professional record with seven knockouts.</p><p>Chavez, a former WBC middleweight champion, saw his two-fight winning streak end. The 39-year-old Mexico native fell to a career 54-7-1 (1 NC).</p>

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Jake Paul throws a punch at Julio Cesar Chavez Jr during their fight at Honda Center on June 28, 2025 in Anaheim, California.

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Paul earns decision over Chavez in cruiserweight bout

Ilia Topuria added another UFC belt to his mantle with a vicious knockout of Charles Oliveira.  T...

<p>Ilia Topuria added another UFC belt to his mantle with a vicious knockout of Charles Oliveira.</p><p>Topuria finished Oliveira at the 2:27 mark of the first round to capture the vacant lightweight championship in the UFC 317 main event Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.</p><p>Topuria, a former featherweight champion, became the 10th two-division titleholder in UFC history. He vacated the 145-pound title in December to move up to 155 pounds.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The first few exchanges between Topuria and Oliveira on the feet were competitive. But at the halfway point of the round, Topuria landed a left hook, a massive right hand, and another left that crumpled Oliveira and rendered him unconscious.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpnoibF4eNg?si=698OMLb5diHV6uLP" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>After the victory, lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett - who was cageside at the event - entered the Octagon to face off with Topuria. The two exchanged verbal jabs, and then Topuria shoved Pimblett.</p><p>A fight between Topuria and the popular Pimblett is one of the biggest the UFC can make at the moment, but it's unclear if it'll be next. Pimblett and Topuria have a history that dates back to 2022 when they got into an altercation at a hotel in London.</p><p>UFC CEO Dana White said at the postfight press conference that Pimblett shouldn't have been allowed to go into the cage to face off with Topuria.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">AND SO IT BEGINS 👀<br><br>Will we see <a href="https://twitter.com/Topuriailia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TopuriaIlia</a> vs <a href="https://twitter.com/PaddyTheBaddy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaddyTheBaddy</a> next?!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC317?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC317</a> <a href="https://t.co/tfsFNcMDI8">pic.twitter.com/tfsFNcMDI8</a></p>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1939190365409681804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Topuria, ranked No. 3 on the men's pound-for-pound list, continued one of the most impressive runs in UFC history with the knockout of Oliveira. The 28-year-old Georgian-Spaniard knocked out two all-time greats, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, in 2024. He captured the featherweight title with a second-round finish of Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February and then defended the belt with a second-round stoppage of Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October.</p><p>Topuria, who has become one of the biggest stars in MMA over the last year and a half, is now 9-0 in the UFC and 17-0 as a professional.</p><p>The vacant title fight between Topuria and Oliveira came together after longtime lightweight champion Islam Makhachev decided to relinquish the belt in May. Makhachev is moving to the welterweight division, where he'll challenge Jack Della Maddalena for a second title later this year. Topuria had his sights set on Makhachev when he initially moved to 155 pounds, and he said last week he could still see the matchup coming to fruition if Makhachev beats Della Maddalena.</p><p>Oliveira, a former lightweight champion, suffered his first knockout loss since 2017 and fell to 1-2 in his past three Octagon appearances. He was coming off a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309 last November. Oliveira, 35, is ranked No. 2 in the division.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 28: (L-R) Ilia Topuria of Spain strikes Charles Oliveira of Brazil in the UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 317 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Topuria KOs Oliveira in Round 1 to win 2nd UFC title

Alexandre Pantoja submitted Kai Kara-France with a rear-naked choke at the 1:55 mark of the third...

<p>Alexandre Pantoja submitted Kai Kara-France with a rear-naked choke at the 1:55 mark of the third round to retain the UFC flyweight championship in the UFC 317 co-main event Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.</p><p>With the victory, Pantoja broke the record for most wins (14), finishes (eight), and submissions (six) in UFC flyweight history.</p><p>Pantoja made it look easy in his latest title defense, relying on his elite-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu to outclass Kara-France from start to finish.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 35-year-old got Kara-France to the ground less than a minute into the third round. He took the challenger's back, applied a body triangle, and then suddenly attempted a rear-naked choke. Kara-France tried to survive, but Pantoja locked it in and forced the tap.</p><p>Pantoja has now defended the 125-pound title four times since becoming champion in July 2023. He's riding an eight-fight winning streak and hasn't lost since July 2020.</p><p>After the victory, Pantoja squared off with Joshua Van, who defeated No. 1-ranked flyweight Brandon Royval earlier on the UFC 317 main card to presumably earn the next title shot.</p><p>Kara-France, the No. 4-ranked flyweight, came up short in his first undisputed title shot. The 32-year-old New Zealander is 1-3 in his last four Octagon appearances.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 28: (L-R) Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil faces Kai Kara-France of New Zealand in the UFC flyweight championship bout during the UFC 317 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Pantoja submits Kara-France to retain UFC flyweight title

Gregory "Robocop" Rodrigues scored a brutal knockout of Jack Hermansson at UFC 317.  Rodrigues fl...

<p>Gregory "Robocop" Rodrigues scored a brutal knockout of Jack Hermansson at UFC 317.</p><p>Rodrigues flatlined Hermansson with a left hook and landed one follow-up punch on the ground, ending the featured preliminary bout at the 4:21 mark of the first round Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Hermansson was on the canvas for several moments before regaining consciousness.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh my goodness!! Gregory Rodrigues puts Jack Hermansson to a deep sleep!<br><br>That last hammer fist was sooo unnecessary! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC317?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC317</a> <a href="https://t.co/ubc5qUUVLT">pic.twitter.com/ubc5qUUVLT</a></p>— Ezee (@EzeemmaCraic) <a href="https://twitter.com/EzeemmaCraic/status/1939137465194823939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>With the win, Rodrigues bounced back from a TKO loss to Jared Cannonier in a February main event. The 33-year-old Brazilian has won four of his last five Octagon appearances.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Hermansson returned from a 16-month layoff. The 37-year-old Swede has alternated wins and losses in his last 10 fights dating back to 2019.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 28: (R-L) Gregory Rodrigues of Brazil reacts to his knockout of Jack Hermansson of Sweden in a middleweight bout during the UFC 317 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Rodrigues flattens Hermansson with violent KO at UFC 317

theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the UFC 317 main-card bouts ahead of Saturday's event...

<p><em>theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the UFC 317 main-card bouts ahead of Saturday's event in Las Vegas.</em></p><h3>Lightweight championship</h3><p><strong>Ilia Topuria (16-0)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC)</strong></p><p>Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is one win away from his second coronation in his ninth UFC appearance. The odds heavily favor Topuria to beat Charles Oliveira and capture the vacant lightweight title, which would make him the 10th two-division champion in promotion history. But it wouldn't be smart to sleep on Oliveira's chances. "Do Bronx" is the much bigger fighter (three inches taller than Topuria with a five-inch reach advantage), and he's one of the top submission threats in the sport.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Still, Topuria's knockout power and hand speed make it tough to pick against him. And Oliveira is prone to getting knocked down. If that happens here, there'll likely be no coming back from it like he did against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. Expect Topuria to pressure Oliveira early, land hard punches in the pocket, and put the former lightweight champ away within two rounds.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Topuria, second-round knockout</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751882/cropped_GettyImages-2181235128.jpg?ts=1729987668" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751882/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181235128.jpg?ts=1729987668 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751882/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181235128.jpg?ts=1729987668 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751882/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181235128.jpg?ts=1729987668 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751882/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181235128.jpg?ts=1729987668 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751882/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181235128.jpg?ts=1729987668 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Flyweight championship</h3><p><strong>Alexandre Pantoja (29-5)<br>vs.<br>Kai Kara-France (25-11, 1 NC)</strong></p><p>Alexandre Pantoja has become one of the most consistent champions in the UFC, and he should have no problem securing his fourth straight title defense against Kai Kara-France. Though the American Top Team product has a well-rounded skill set, the ground game is his strong suit, and it'll come in handy against a devastating striker in Kara-France. Expect Pantoja to dodge Kara-France's attempts at a knockout early in the fight and then drag the challenger into deep waters en route to a submission or lopsided decision victory.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Pantoja, third-round submission</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759520/cropped_GettyImages-2188814335.jpg?ts=1733638217" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759520/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188814335.jpg?ts=1733638217 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759520/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188814335.jpg?ts=1733638217 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759520/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188814335.jpg?ts=1733638217 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759520/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188814335.jpg?ts=1733638217 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759520/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188814335.jpg?ts=1733638217 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Lightweight bout</h3><p><strong>Beneil Dariush (22-6-1)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Renato Moicano (20-6-1)</strong></p><p>Renato Moicano probably has a chip on his shoulder after coming up short in his last-minute title fight against Islam Makhachev in January. He was supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on that UFC 311 card, but got called up to take on the pound-for-pound king instead and lost all his momentum when Makhachev choked him out in just over four minutes, a result that seemed inevitable going in. Moicano is looking to bounce back in a big way, and he'll do just that. Dariush hasn't stepped into the Octagon since December 2023 and hasn't won since October 2022. Moicano is closer to the prime of his career than Dariush and will stay relevant with a convincing, well-rounded performance.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Moicano, unanimous decision</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/765933/cropped_GettyImages-2175344203.jpg?ts=1737142621" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/765933/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175344203.jpg?ts=1737142621 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/765933/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175344203.jpg?ts=1737142621 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/765933/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175344203.jpg?ts=1737142621 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/765933/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175344203.jpg?ts=1737142621 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/765933/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175344203.jpg?ts=1737142621 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Flyweight bout</h3><p><strong>Brandon Royval (17-7)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Joshua Van (14-2)</strong></p><p>This is a terrific matchup. Twenty-three-year-old Joshua Van is looking to vault into title contention with a win over the division's top dog (after Pantoja) in Brandon Royval. Van agreed to the matchup two weeks ago after Manel Kape withdrew due to an injury, and he even opened as the betting favorite. Van is a sharp puncher with the tools to win, but this might be too big of a step up in competition, especially on short notice. I'll take Royval to lean on his experience and edge out a narrow victory.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong>Royval, split decision</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778765/cropped_GettyImages-2178153191.jpg?ts=1743725841" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778765/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178153191.jpg?ts=1743725841 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778765/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178153191.jpg?ts=1743725841 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778765/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178153191.jpg?ts=1743725841 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778765/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178153191.jpg?ts=1743725841 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778765/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178153191.jpg?ts=1743725841 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Bantamweight bout</h3><p><strong>Payton Talbott (9-1)<br>vs.<br>Felipe Lima (14-1)</strong></p><p>The UFC isn't doing Payton Talbott any favors after his first career loss. Felipe Lima hasn't made much noise in the sport yet, but a 2-0 start in the Octagon - and a 14-1 record overall - is impressive. Lima is better on the ground and should be able to mix in some striking to get the win.</p><p><strong>The pick:</strong> Lima, unanimous decision</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791879/cropped_GettyImages-2189994965.jpg?ts=1750871202" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791879/w220xh124_GettyImages-2189994965.jpg?ts=1750871202 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791879/w320xh180_GettyImages-2189994965.jpg?ts=1750871202 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791879/w640xh360_GettyImages-2189994965.jpg?ts=1750871202 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791879/w768xh432_GettyImages-2189994965.jpg?ts=1750871202 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791879/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2189994965.jpg?ts=1750871202 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure>

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UFC 317 predictions: Will Topuria find Oliveira's chin for a KO?

Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder returned to the win column Friday night, defeating Tyr...

<p>Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder returned to the win column Friday night, defeating Tyrrell Herndon via TKO at the 2:16 mark of the seventh round in a main-event bout in Wichita, Kansas.</p><p>Wilder snapped a two-fight skid and earned his first victory since October 2022.</p><p>The 39-year-old dropped Herndon twice - in the second and sixth rounds - before finishing him with a standing TKO in the seventh. Wilder knocked Herndon's head back with a heavy right hand, and the referee waved off the fight.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Wilder dominated his first contest in over a year from start to finish, putting pressure on Herndon and outlanding him throughout.</p><p>He was coming off back-to-back losses, a unanimous decision against Joseph Parker and a fifth-round knockout to Zhilei Zhang in December 2023 and June 2024, respectively.</p><p>Wilder's most recent win before Friday was a first-round knockout of Robert Helenius nearly three years ago. He's now 2-4 in his last six appearances dating back to 2020. The Alabama native lifted his professional record to 44-4-1 with 43 knockouts.</p><p>Wilder, one of the most feared knockout artists in his prime, held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015-19, defending it successfully 10 times.</p><p>Herndon, a journeyman heavyweight, saw his three-fight winning streak come to an end. The 37-year-old San Antonio native fell to 24-6 as a professional.</p>

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 23: Deontay Wilder looks on following the WBC International & WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker during the Day of Reckoning: Fight Night at Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Wilder ends losing streak with 7th-round TKO

Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira made weight Friday before they square off for the vacant lightw...

<p>Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira made weight Friday before they square off for the vacant lightweight title in the UFC 317 main event Saturday in Las Vegas.</p><p>Topuria and Oliveira weighed in at 155 and 154.5 pounds, respectively.</p><p>Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France were also on the mark for the co-main event. They both came in at 125 pounds.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Here are the full UFC 317 weigh-in results:</p><h3>Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Ilia Topuria (155) vs. Charles Oliveira (154.5)</li>
<li>Alexandre Pantoja (125) vs. Kai Kara-France (125)</li>
<li>Beneil Dariush (156) vs. Renato Moicano (156)</li>
<li>Brandon Royval (125.5) vs. Joshua Van (125.5)</li>
<li>Payton Talbott (136) vs. Felipe Lima (135.5)</li>
</ul><h3>Preliminary card (ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Jack Hermansson (185.5) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (186)</li>
<li>Hyder Amil (145.5) vs. Jose Miguel Delgado (145.5)</li>
<li>Viviane Araujo (125.5) vs. Tracy Cortez (126)</li>
<li>Terrance McKinney (156) vs. Viacheslav Borshchev (155)</li>
</ul><h3>Early preliminary card (ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Niko Price (170.5) vs. Jacobe Smith (170.5)</li>
<li>Jhonata Diniz (257.5) vs. Alvin Hines (259.5)</li>
<li>Chris Ewert vs. Jackson McVey*</li>
</ul><p><em>* The middleweight fight between Christopher Ewert and Jackson McVey is off after Ewert was 10 pounds overweight. He's been <a href="https://x.com/mma_kings/status/1938632005651955828">released</a> by the UFC.</em></p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 27: Ilia Topuria poses on the scale during the UFC 317 official weigh-in at UFC Apex on June 27, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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UFC 317 weigh-in results: Topuria, Oliveira cleared for title fight

Jake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring for the first time since defeating Mike Tyson in No...

<p>Jake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring for the first time since defeating Mike Tyson in November. The YouTube star turned prizefighter faces former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday night at Honda Center in Anaheim.</p><p>Here's everything you need to know ahead of the Paul-Chavez fight.</p><h3>How to watch</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Date: </strong>Saturday, June 28</li>
<li>
<strong>Time: </strong>8 p.m. ET main card</li>
<li>
<strong>Main event walkouts: </strong>Approx. 11 p.m. ET</li>
<li>
<strong>Stream: </strong>DAZN pay-per-view</li>
<li>
<strong>Cost: </strong>$59.99 USD</li>
</ul><h3>Tale of the tape</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>   </th>
<th>Paul</th>
<th>Chavez</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Country</td>
<td> USA</td>
<td> Mexico</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Age</td>
<td> 28</td>
<td> 39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Height</td>
<td> 6'1"</td>
<td> 6'1"</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Reach</td>
<td> 76"</td>
<td> 73"</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Record</td>
<td> 11-1</td>
<td> 54-6-1 (1 NC)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KOs</td>
<td> 7</td>
<td> 34</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Paul-Chavez prediction</h3><p>There's a reason Paul has suffered just one loss since his professional boxing debut five years ago. Along the way, he and his business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, have wisely hand-picked opponents, setting Paul up with favorable matchups. And it's no different here. Chavez was the WBC middleweight champion from 2011-12 and used to be a high-level boxer, but he's way past his prime and hasn't scored a meaningful victory in over a decade. Also, he's fought just once since the end of 2021. Paul, though not elite himself, should have no problem taking care of business as the younger, quicker boxer. <strong>Paul via unanimous decision.</strong></p><h3>Full card</h3><ul>
<li>Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.</li>
<li>Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez vs. Yuniel Dorticos - WBA and WBO cruiserweight title fight</li>
<li>Holly Holm vs. Yolanda Vega</li>
<li>Avious Griffin vs. Julian Rodriguez</li>
<li>Raul Curiel vs. Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez</li>
<li>Naomy Valle vs. Ashley Felix</li>
</ul>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 14: Jake Paul, left, gestures towards Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Mexico's former world champion, during a boxing news conference at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles on May 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and Co-Founder of Most Valuable Promotions, center left, and Oscar De La Hoya, of Golden Boy Promotions, center right, look on.

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Everything you need to know ahead of Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

International Fight Week is upon us.  In Saturday's UFC 317 main event, Ilia Topuria and Charles ...

<p>International Fight Week is upon us.</p><p>In Saturday's UFC 317 main event, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will meet for the vacant lightweight title. And in the co-headliner, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will put his belt on the line for the fourth time against Kai Kara-France.</p><p>Here are three key storylines ahead of the UFC's return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>How will Topuria fare at lightweight?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/cropped_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Topuria is heavily favored to beat Oliveira, win the lightweight title, and become the 10th two-division champion in UFC history. He's around a 5-to-1 favorite on theScore Bet. But fans shouldn't be too confident that the 28-year-old Georgian-Spaniard will bring home another belt.</p><p>Sure, Topuria is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA and is coming off an impressive campaign last year in which he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. But he's also moving up to the lightweight division for just the second time in his career. And it's a whole new ballgame at 155 pounds.</p><p>Oliveira has a significant size advantage over Topuria. The former lightweight champion is 5-foot-10 with a 74-inch reach, while Topuria, a former champ at 145 pounds, is 5-foot-7 with a 69-inch reach. Topuria will need to rely on his power and hand speed to get past Oliveira and everyone else he faces moving forward.</p><h3>Does Oliveira have one last title run in him?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755812/cropped_GettyImages-2185186284.jpg?ts=1731821398" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755812/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185186284.jpg?ts=1731821398 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755812/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185186284.jpg?ts=1731821398 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755812/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185186284.jpg?ts=1731821398 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755812/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185186284.jpg?ts=1731821398 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755812/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185186284.jpg?ts=1731821398 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Just a few years ago, Oliveira was the guy to beat at 155 pounds. He knocked out Michael Chandler in May 2021 to capture the vacant title and then finished Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje to cement himself as the top lightweight in the world.</p><p>Since then, he's 2-2 and is coming off another dominant win over Chandler at UFC 309 last November.</p><p>At 35 years old and having been in the UFC since 2010, Oliveira is, of course, closer to the end of his career than the start of it. However, he's still ranked No. 2 in the division and remains a threat in every area. If he has one more title run left in him, this is his opportunity to show it.</p><h3>Will Pantoja continue to clean out the 125-pound division?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/cropped_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>After Jon Jones retired last weekend, Pantoja became the second-longest-reigning champion in the UFC (not including Islam Makhachev, who will officially vacate the lightweight title Saturday). Pantoja has held the flyweight belt since July 2023. It's a testament to how volatile the sport has been in recent years, but it's also an indication that Pantoja has turned into a rather dominant champion.</p><p>The Brazilian is looking to keep things going against Kara-France in Saturday's co-main event. If he wins, he'll have beaten three of the top five flyweights (the other two of which are coming off losses) and half of the top 10. Pantoja has almost no chance of catching Demetrious Johnson's title-defense record, but he's quietly putting together one of the most impressive reigns in flyweight history. If the wins keep coming, it wouldn't be surprising to see Pantoja move up to challenge bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili within the next year.</p>

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3 biggest storylines ahead of UFC 317

Ilia Topuria believes Paddy Pimblett needs one more victory to deserve a crack at the UFC lightwe...

<p>Ilia Topuria believes Paddy Pimblett needs one more victory to deserve a crack at the UFC lightweight championship.</p><p>Topuria, a former featherweight champion, is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155-pound title in the UFC 317 main event Saturday in Las Vegas. If Topuria wins, a long-awaited matchup with Pimblett figures to be a massive draw at the box office, but the 28-year-old said he won't grant Pimblett a title shot unless he beats another top contender first.</p><p>"No, that's not gonna happen," Topuria said Monday on "<a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1937213069022974070">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>" when asked about Pimblett potentially getting an immediate title shot after UFC 317. "He's one fight away for the title shot. He needs, actually, that fight. Because it's gonna be even better for our fight if he gets one more win. We're gonna have, I think, the biggest fight in the UFC right now, at the moment."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Topuria and Pimblett have a long history. In 2022, they got into an altercation at a hotel just days before they were scheduled to compete at the same UFC event in London. Pimblett threw a bottle of hand sanitizer at Topuria.</p><p>Their careers went in separate directions after the incident, but three years later, they appear to be back on a collision course. Topuria vacated the 145-pound belt in December to move up to the lightweight division, and Pimblett emerged as a top 155-pound contender at UFC 314 in April with a dominant win over Michael Chandler.</p><p>Topuria said he would like to see Pimblett face former interim champion Justin Gaethje in his next bout. Gaethje and Pimblett are ranked No. 3 and No. 8 in the division, respectively.</p><p>"I think (Pimblett is) gonna beat him easily," Topuria said.</p><p>He added: "It's not like I don't like Justin Gaethje. I'm actually a huge fan of all of his fights. ... He's one of those guys that takes a lot of punches and throws a lot of punches. I love to watch him fight. But I think that Paddy could get that win easily because of the style."</p>

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 27: Ilia Topuria looks on during the Presentation of WOW, with Movistar Plus and Ilia Topuria at Movistar eSports Center on March 27, 2025, in Madrid, Spain.

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Topuria: Pimblett 1 win from UFC title shot

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones announced his retirement Saturday, ending one of the greatest ...

<p>UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones announced his retirement Saturday, ending one of the greatest runs in mixed martial arts history.</p><p>"This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I've experienced over the years," Jones said on <a href="https://x.com/JonnyBones/status/1936597970947834353">X</a>.</p><p>He continued: "From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe - these are memories I'll cherish forever. I've faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>UFC CEO Dana White initially <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdrGb43O-SE">revealed</a> Jones' retirement earlier Saturday, adding that interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion.</p><p>"Jon Jones called us last night and retired," White told reporters in Baku, Azerbaijan. "Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."</p><p>Jones added in his retirement announcement that he's "excited" to see how he can still contribute to MMA and inspire others, saying "the best is yet to come."</p><p>Jones, 37, stepped into the Octagon for the final time at UFC 309 last November. He defeated Stipe Miocic via third-round TKO at Madison Square Garden in New York, earning his first heavyweight title defense.</p><p>In the seven months since that bout, the UFC worked on booking a highly anticipated matchup between Jones and Aspinall. White said earlier this year he was confident it would come to fruition sometime in 2025, but Jones repeatedly downplayed Aspinall as an opponent and said he wasn't interested in fighting him. Jones hinted at retirement several times in the last few weeks.</p><p>"Do I regret the time that I gave him (to make his retirement decision)? Listen, if you look at what he's accomplished in the sport, no," White said. "It is what it is. I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and obviously money, but we'll make it up to him.</p><p>"Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. He's been willing to do anything, fight (Jones) anywhere at any time, and now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. You tell me who, and I'll fight him.' Tom Aspinall has been great. He's gonna be a great heavyweight champion for us. I'm excited to work with him."</p><p>Aspinall, who had held the interim heavyweight title since November 2023, reacted to Jones' retirement on Instagram.</p><p>"It's time to get this heavyweight division going," Aspinall <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLLjt8gMARE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=cb54477f-fdbb-4e98-8fe5-a4bdbcc85880">wrote</a>. "An active undisputed champion."</p><p>Jones is widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. He's a former two-time light heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion, and now a former heavyweight champion. Jones holds numerous UFC records, including the most wins in title fights (16) and most successful title defenses (12). He's one of nine fighters to win UFC championships in multiple divisions.</p><p>Jones began his MMA career in April 2008 and made his Octagon debut four months later. In 2011, Jones became the youngest champion in promotion history, finishing Mauricio "Shogun" Rua to claim the light heavyweight title at age 23.</p><p>Jones defended the 205-pound belt 11 times across two reigns, beating the likes of Daniel Cormier, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida, and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. In 2023, Jones moved up to heavyweight and captured the vacant title, submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.</p><p>Jones, born in Rochester, New York, but based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, ends his career on a 20-fight unbeaten streak and with a 28-1 (1 NC) record. His only loss was a controversial disqualification due to illegal elbows against Matt Hamill in 2009.</p><p>Several legal issues impacted Jones' career. Most notably, Jones was charged with a felony hit-and-run in 2015 after fleeing the scene of an accident that injured a pregnant woman.</p><p>Jones tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs twice in his career, in 2016 and again in 2017. He long maintained that tainted supplements led to the failures.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones enters the Octagon in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Jon Jones retires from UFC

Khalil Rountree Jr. dominated former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, earning a unanimous...

<p>Khalil Rountree Jr. dominated former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, earning a unanimous decision win in Saturday's UFC Fight Night main event in Baku, Azerbaijan.</p><p>The judges scored the fight 49-46, 50-45, and 50-45 in Rountree's favor.</p><p>Rountree secured the biggest win of his career in calculated fashion. He stayed composed as he picked Hill apart on the feet from start to finish. Rountree outstruck Hill in four of five rounds and bested him 102-70 in total strikes.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"The plan was to be smart," Rountree said in his postfight interview. "I made some mistakes in the Alex (Pereira) fight. In this one, it's like, 'Hey man, I get to kind of make different decisions. I don't have to go, go, go. I gotta do what I gotta do. And then if I'm winning the round, I can secure that and be a smart, professional, championship-level fighter.' And that's how champions think, in my opinion."</p><p>Rountree was officially credited with one knockdown, a right hook late in the third round. He tied Chuck Liddell and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the most knockdowns in UFC light heavyweight history (14). Rountree also sat Hill down with a left hand earlier in that frame.</p><p>Rountree battered Hill with a varied attack in the stand-up department, though he heavily relied on nasty leg kicks to hurt his opponent.</p><p>The 35-year-old is back in the win column after falling short to former champion Pereira in a title bout at UFC 307 last October. He's 6-1 in his previous seven Octagon appearances.</p><p>Rountree said he's willing to fight whoever will get him closer to another title shot.</p><p>"I want to be a champion," Rountree said. "Whatever's next - I know that there's things that need to be done. For me, if I had to fight (light heavyweight champion) Magomed Ankalaev next, I would do it. If I have to fight somebody in between that, I'll do it. But whatever gets me closer to fighting for the belt again."</p><p>Hill, 34, is riding a three-fight losing streak for the first time in his career. "Sweet Dreams" hasn't won since claiming the 205-pound title against Glover Teixeira in January 2023.</p>

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 21: (L-R) Khalil Rountree Jr. knocks down Jamahal Hill in their light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Baku Crystal Hall on June 21, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Rountree cruises past Hill in UFC Baku main event

Gadzhi Rabadanov made quick work of Kevin Lee in the PFL 6 main event, defeating him via TKO at t...

<p>Gadzhi Rabadanov made quick work of Kevin Lee in the PFL 6 main event, defeating him via TKO at the 2:37 mark of the first round Friday night in Wichita, Kansas.</p><p>Lee, a former UFC interim lightweight title challenger, was making his PFL debut.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">GADZHI RABADANOV DOMINATES KEVIN LEE FOR A FIRST ROUND VICTORY!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PFLWorldTournament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PFLWorldTournament</a> LIVE NOW<br>🇺🇸 ESPN &amp; ESPN+<br>🌎<a href="https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI">https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI</a> <a href="https://t.co/3tBk4YPySb">pic.twitter.com/3tBk4YPySb</a></p>— PFL (@PFLMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1936255147568492958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>With the victory, Rabadanov advances to the PFL lightweight final against Alfie Davis, who beat former Bellator champion Brent Primus in the other semifinal bout earlier on the card. The PFL finals are scheduled for August.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rabadanov, the 2024 PFL lightweight champion, delivered a devastating performance. He dropped Lee with a jab 45 seconds into the fight and maintained heavy pressure on the feet. Rabadanov dropped "The Motown Phenom" again with a right hand and then face planted him with a barrage of punches against the fence, forcing the referee to intervene.</p><p>Rabadanov is riding a 12-fight winning streak. The 31-year-old Russian earned a 32-second win over former UFC fighter Marc Diakiese in the opening round of the PFL lightweight tournament in April. Rabadanov, who improved to 6-0 in the promotion, hasn't lost a fight since 2020.</p><p>Lee is 1-1 since coming out of retirement and 1-2 in his last three fights. The 32-year-old Detroit native signed with the PFL in May and agreed to face Rabadanov on short notice, replacing Jay-Jay Wilson. Lee was coming off a win over Thiago Oliveira at Lights Out Championship 17 last September.</p><p>Lee, once one of the top lightweights in the world, retired from mixed martial arts after a July 2023 loss in the UFC. He announced early last year he was returning to the sport.</p>

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 18: Gadzhi Rabadanov prepares to fight against Marc Diakiese during the first round of the PFL 2025 World Tournament at Universal Studios on April 18, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

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Former UFC two-division champion Alex Pereira is dead set on running it back with Magomed Ankalae...

<p>Former UFC two-division champion Alex Pereira is dead set on running it back with Magomed Ankalaev.</p><p>Pereira said Friday he's focused on regaining the light heavyweight title amid speculation he could move up to the heavyweight division in his next fight. "Poatan" dropped the 205-pound belt in a unanimous decision loss to Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March.</p><p>"My focus right now is fighting Ankalaev. ... Get my belt back, and then we'll see what happens after," Pereira told <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/6/20/24452942/alex-pereira-focus-on-magomed-ankalaev-rematch-not-heavyweight-move">MMA Fighting's Jose Youngs</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 37-year-old Brazilian said he wants to return to the Octagon in September, October, or November.</p><p>"For me, it makes no difference," Pereira said. "I want to fight."</p><p>With heavyweight champion Jon Jones sitting on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, some fans have shown interest in Pereira moving up in weight to face Tom Aspinall for the undisputed heavyweight title. But Pereira said he would prefer to retake the light heavyweight throne before changing divisions.</p><p>"Let those guys kill each other in that weight class," Pereira said. "Right now, I'm just focusing on light heavyweight."</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: Alex Pereira of Brazil reacts to the end of the match in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 313 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Pereira focused on Ankalaev rematch: I want to 'get my belt back'

There will be extra cash up for grabs if Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford ends inside the dist...

<p>There will be extra cash up for grabs if Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford ends inside the distance.</p><p>Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, announced Friday that he is implementing a knockout bonus for September's superfight. Alalshikh <a href="https://x.com/Turki_alalshikh/status/1932607271101473099">said</a> earlier this month he will no longer promote "Tom and Jerry" boxing matches, where "one fighter is running around the ring and the other is chasing him." He appears to be trying to eliminate those kinds of fights with the knockout bonus.</p><p>"We will not have (Tom and Jerry fights) anymore," Alalshikh said at a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to <a href="https://x.com/ringmagazine/status/1936134115499155672">Ring Magazine</a>. "This is the first thing. The second, we will have, in this fight and the next fights, (a) bonus for (a) KO."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Alalshikh did not specify how much money the bonus will be worth.</p><p>Alalshikh is promoting Álvarez-Crawford - which is scheduled for Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas - alongside TKO Group Holdings and UFC CEO Dana White.</p><p>Álvarez will step into the ring for the first time since regaining the undisputed super middleweight championship with a lackluster win over William Scull in May. The 34-year-old Mexican superstar is riding a six-fight winning streak.</p><p>Crawford, the WBA junior middleweight champion, is moving up two divisions to face Álvarez. The 37-year-old holds a 41-0 pro record.</p><p>"I won't be running, I can tell you that," Crawford said Friday, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/45552498/alalshikh-offering-bonus-canelo-crawford-wins-knockout">ESPN's Andreas Hale</a>. "But I will be doing a lot of touching."</p>

Mexico's boxer Canelo Alvarez gives a press conference in Riyadh on June 20, 2025 ahead of his super-middleweight title fight against Terence Crawford.

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Ilia Topuria is hoping for a chance to become the first three-division champion in UFC history.  ...

<p>Ilia Topuria is hoping for a chance to become the first three-division champion in UFC history.</p><p>Topuria, the former featherweight champ, is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the UFC 317 main event next weekend in Las Vegas. He said Friday that he plans to lobby for a welterweight title shot if he beats Oliveira and Islam Makhachev dethrones 170-pound champ Jack Della Maddalena later this year.</p><p>"If Islam becomes the welterweight world champion, for sure I'm gonna push for that shot also, and I will move to the welterweight division," Topuria told reporters, including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMA1rBmNmro">The Mac Life's Oscar Willis</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Topuria vacated the 145-pound title last December to move up to the lightweight division, with the hope of challenging Makhachev for a second belt. But Makhachev relinquished the 155-pound championship in May to pursue a welterweight title shot against Della Maddalena instead.</p><p>Should both men win their next fights, Topuria believes a highly anticipated matchup against Makhachev could come to fruition at either 155 or 170 pounds.</p><p>"We'll see how (Makhachev) does in the welterweight division," Topuria said. "If he wins the title, I win the title in the lightweight division, maybe I move up or he comes down to the lightweight division and we have the fight that everyone wants to see."</p><p>For now, Topuria's focus is on Oliveira, another former lightweight champion. Oliveira is getting his first title shot since losing to Makhachev in a vacant title bout at UFC 280 in October 2022. The Brazilian is coming off a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler last November and is 2-1 in his last three Octagon appearances.</p><p>Topuria, 28, said he thinks he'll have no problem knocking Oliveira out.</p><p>"If I hurt him, he's not gonna have the chance to come back," Topuria said. "Because my power is completely different."</p>

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Ilia Topuria looks on in the corner of his brother Aleksandre Topuria of Germany after a bantamweight fight against Colby Thicknesse during the UFC 312 event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

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Former Bellator star Aaron Pico's UFC debut is official.  Pico is set to face No. 4-ranked feathe...

<p>Former Bellator star Aaron Pico's UFC debut is official.</p><p>Pico is set to face No. 4-ranked featherweight Movsar Evloev in the five-round co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, UFC CEO Dana White announced Wednesday.</p><p>Pico signed with the UFC in April, ending a seven-year stint under the Bellator banner. The 28-year-old last stepped into the cage in February 2024 when he knocked out Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator: Champs event. Pico is riding a three-fight winning streak and has lost just once since 2019.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Evloev is coming off a unanimous decision win over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310 in December. The 31-year-old Russian is undefeated as a professional at 19-0.</p><p>White said Evloev will "likely" get a title shot against featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski if he beats Pico.</p><p>Evloev said in May that he hopes to challenge Volkanovski later this year.</p><p>"Thank you, champ, for trying to fight me," Evloev <a href="https://x.com/MovsarUFC/status/1925671352951833052">wrote</a> in a post on X addressed to Volkanovski. "I will fight in July and you fight in September. Hopefully we both win and we can meet in December."</p><p>White also announced that featherweight Bryce Mitchell will move down to the bantamweight division to take on Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi.</p><p>The event will be headlined by a middleweight matchup between former champion Robert Whittaker and surging contender Reinier de Ridder.</p>

HONOLULU, HAWAII - APRIL 21: Aaron Pico weighs in at 145.6lb on April 21, 2023, at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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Nick Baldwin

News Editor

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