Dana White Reveals Ilia Topuria's Opponent for UFC 317 Main Event

The highly anticipated lightweight clash, rumored for weeks, was finally made official after White addressed fans directly, ending speculation fueled by the outcome of UFC 315.

White revealed the fight will be for the vacant lightweight championship, as current champion Islam Makhachev is officially moving up to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena later this year. It seems Makhachev will no longer hold the lightweight belt as he suggested in a tweet before UFC 315.

In the Instagram Live session, White also revealed the rest of the UFC 317 fight card in addition to other crucial summer matchups.

Fans had been speculating whether Topuria would face Oliveira or Makhachev, but UFC 315’s result—Della Maddalena dethroning Belal Muhammad—sealed the deal.

The bout will mark Topuria’s debut at 155 pounds after vacating his featherweight title earlier this year, while Oliveira returns to another title opportunity following his dominant win over Michael Chandler.

Topuria has been vocal about his desire to take over the lightweight division, telling Joe Rogan he’d only fight for gold, no tune-ups.

Oliveira, who holds the record for most UFC finishes, posted on social media last month, teasing his return to the Octagon and hinting at his readiness.

Even though Makhachev is no longer in the lightweight title picture for now, the stakes and the anticipation for this upcoming lightweight title bout are as high as ever.