UFC 317 Best Bets

UFC 317 Best Bets

UFC International Fight Week is upon us. The promotion stacked UFC 317 to accommodate the fan fair of the event. Let’s spice up the event even further with some bets. Thankfully, some of the best bets on the card can be found in the event’s premier bouts. Here are three of the best bets for UFC 317.

*All odds are taken from DraftKings and are accurate as of 10:15 p.m. EST on Thursday, June 26, 2025.*

Ilia Topuria via KO -175

The UFC 317 main event features a lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. Topuria is a massive favorite as he sits at -455 while Oliveira is a +350 underdog. The moneyline odds on the favorite are unappealing. Instead, I’ll take Topuria to end the fight with a knockout. That prop bet is lined at -175.

At -175, this is not a juicy line for a knockout prop. That said, I have a strong feeling this is the outcome we get on fight night. Oliveira is a pressure fighter who fights out of a heavy Muay Thai stance and he does not move his head much. Meanwhile, Topuria is the most technical boxer in the sport while also having lethal knockout power. I expect Oliveira to walk into boxing range and get smoked with massive shots. Eventually, one of those shots will put him to sleep.

Topuria is coming off back-to-back performances where he logged knockouts against Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. Those are both all-time great strikers, with far better defense than Oliveira. Plus, Holloway was one of the most durable fighters in the history of the sport. If he can knock out those fighters, Oliveira is a much easier fighter to land knockout shots against.

This UFC 317 best bet is a chalky play; however, I am fine with a chalky play if it pays out. At the end of the day, I have a hard time seeing this fight go differently.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France FDGTD -120

The UFC 317 co-main event features a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France. The bout is lined with Pantoja as a -238 favorite while Kara-France is a +195 underdog. The valuable bet available in this matchup is the fight not to go the distance at -120.

I think the idea of leaning toward the side of violence in Pantoja’s fights. His fighting style is absolutely ridiculous. He is a pressure fighter who throws massive punches and kicks. When he lands those strikes, he lands with a ton of power. Conversely, he leaves himself open to take big counter shots. This is a dynamic that could create a finish on the feet. Pantoja and Kara-France both have fight-ending power. It should also be noted that Pantoja is 35 years old and has absorbed a lot of strikes throughout his career.

The more likely path to a finish comes in the grappling realm. Pantoja is a BJJ ace with dangerous submission skills. Kara-France has quality takedown defense and could keep this fight standing for periods of time. The issue is that he often gives up his back to work to his feet or to defend takedowns. Generally, that is an intelligent risk, but that is not a feasible game plan considering Pantoja’s good at taking the back and landing a rear-naked choke.

At -120, I’ll bet for the flyweight title fight to end inside the distance. I see a path for both fighters to land a knockout and Pantoja has massive submission potential. Those potential outcomes make this a great bet for UFC 317.

Justin Gaethje May Retire If Not Given Title Fight

Brandon Royval +105

The final bet for UFC 317 is for Brandon Royval to defeat Joshua Van. The bout is closely lined as Royval sits as a +105 while Van is a -125 favorite.

I am a massive believer in Van and his skills. I have continuously been impressed with his performances and included him in best bet articles. That said, I believe this is a tough matchup for him. Royval is going to have a sizeable length and reach advantage. That will allow him to attack with ranged weapons from the outside. Plus, his volume will help him win close rounds.

It should also be noted that Royval has more experience, and Van is taking this fight on short notice. Despite his impressive run, he is entering this fight under undesirable circumstances.

I am not proclaiming this fight will be a dominant one for Royval. Van is too skilled for that. Still, in a close fight, Royval has paths to finding success and is fighting under better circumstances. That is enough for me to bet on him at an underdog price tag. At +105, Royval is a great bet for UFC 317.

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