Tuesday’s information that two extremely anticipated title fights are formally on the UFC schedule for summer time answered some obtrusive questions, but it surely created others. We now know that former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who vacated his title final month, will compete for the light-weight belt in opposition to former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in Las Vegas on June 28. Meaning Islam Makhachev, the present pound-for-pound king, will vacate his light-weight belt to maneuver as much as welterweight, the place he’ll ultimately problem newly topped champ Jack Della Maddalena.
The summer time pay-per-view slate will conclude with UFC 319 in Chicago on Aug. 16 with one other long-awaited matchup: champion Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev for middleweight supremacy. Chimaev is undefeated in his MMA profession however hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since October 2024. Between them, Chimaev and Du Plessis have overwhelmed six former champions of their previous six fights, so neither is a stranger to a second within the highlight.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim reply some questions that must be addressed, now that these fights are official. Then betting skilled Ian Parker offers his early recommendation for the primary occasions.
What does Topuria’s quick title battle alternative say about him and the remainder of the light-weight division?
It says way more about him than the remainder of the division. Light-weight, as standard, could be very sturdy. Arman Tsarukyan’s inventory took a success when he withdrew from a title battle at UFC 311 in January with a again harm, however that does not change how spectacular he is been in competitors. Justin Gaethje’s résumé is robust sufficient that he might battle for a belt proper now. There’s nothing incorrect with this division, fairly the alternative. Topuria is getting a right away crack on the title due to what he represents in MMA proper now. He’s ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter on this planet and a bona fide celebrity. Topuria is essentially the most fascinating man within the sport, and despite the fact that Makhachev is extra confirmed at this level, Topuria’s stardom might eclipse Makhachev’s by the top of the 12 months, relying how issues go. — Okamoto
Is that this Oliveira’s final likelihood to regain the UFC championship?
In all probability, however by no means say by no means. This isn’t Oliveira’s first go to to the crossroads.
His championship journey appeared to have reached a useless finish in 2022, when he was stripped of the light-weight title after lacking weight earlier than a UFC 274 battle with Gaethje in Could. He then obtained submitted by Makhachev in one other shot on the belt 4 months later. Oliveira’s profession exuded finality, however a 12 months and a half later, there he was in a title eliminator. He dropped that battle to Tsarukyan. After a single bounce-back victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 309 in November, right here he’s yet one more time. The aspiration for greatness by no means fades away.
However Oliveira is 35 years previous now, and there is a line of light-weight contenders extending far behind him. Tsarukyan and Gaethje are ready their flip, and Paddy Pimblett heads a queue of next-generation stars. Ought to Oliveira fall to Topuria, it is doable Oliveira might choose himself up and discover his means into nonetheless one other golden alternative. However Oliveira can’t afford to method this battle with something wanting urgency. He should seize this second as if it is his last one. — Wagenheim
Can Della Maddalena be an actual problem for Makhachev?
A million p.c. All due respect to Makhachev, however let’s additionally present some respect to Della Maddalena. Will Makhachev show to be an actual problem to him? Della Maddalena simply snapped Belal Muhammad’s 11-fight profitable streak at UFC 315, one in all MMAs most spectacular runs in latest reminiscence. There is no doubt that Della Maddalena is an actual problem to Makhachev.
Makhachev is shifting as much as welterweight, the place Della Maddalena could be very snug. Della Maddalena’s takedown protection was spectacular at UFC 315. His boxing is an actual subject for opponents, and we have seen Makhachev seem less-than-dominant in opposition to the boxing of Dustin Poirier and even Alexander Volkanovski, a pure featherweight. I am not essentially saying it is Della Maddalena’s battle to lose in opposition to the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on this planet, however there are some actual playing cards in his favor right here. Let’s acknowledge these, in order that if Makhachev wins, we give the feat of outpointing Della Maddalena the credit score it deserves. — Okamoto
What can we count on to see when high middleweights Du Plessis and Chimaev meet at UFC 319?
Possibly it is a cop-out to say we must always count on the sudden. However what else have these two produced within the UFC however surprises?
Du Plessis went into three of his most up-to-date 4 fights as a betting underdog however gained all of them, together with the 5 UFC fights that got here earlier than. He has a clumsy means of combating that does not appear like a profitable model — till his hand is being raised.
Chimaev, against this, burst into the UFC trying like a champion impatient to be fitted for his belt. His first three wins within the Octagon, all fast finishes, got here inside a span of 65 days. That was 5 years in the past, although, and Chimaev’s express-train momentum has slowed to a chugga-chugga crawl as his exercise has lessened. But he stays undefeated.
Chimaev’s most up-to-date two victories got here in opposition to former UFC champions (Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker), and Du Plessis has conquered champs in his previous 4 bouts (Whittaker, Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland twice). So this second is not going to be too large for both man. With Chimaev being an explosive starter and Du Plessis endlessly resilient, I count on an early onslaught by the challenger and the champ enjoying the lengthy sport, gazing longingly towards the deep water, the place he’s snug swimming. — Wagenheim
Parker’s early bets for principal occasions
Topuria to win inside the space: Topuria possible would be the favourite right here and rightfully so. He is undefeated, could have the wrestling benefit and has devastating knockout energy in opposition to Oliviera, who has been dropped in lots of fights. If Topuria’s line is anyplace south of -200, take him, and for a greater line, take him to win inside the space. So long as he can keep away from Oliviera taking his again, I do not see how he loses this battle. ‘
Du Plessis to win by choice: The query for this middleweight championship battle, similar to any Chimaev battle, is whether or not Du Plessis can get out of Spherical 1. That reply, in my opinion, must be sure. Du Plessis has the defensive wrestling and bodily energy to fend off Chimaev within the early going then take him into deep waters to get it achieved within the championship rounds. Alternatively, it is at all times price taking Chimaev to win any battle in Spherical 1, as 5 of his eight UFC victories have come by way of first-round stoppage. If that technique fails, take the reside line on Du Plessis, as a result of he’ll use his cardio to get higher because the battle goes on.
