UFC 317 reportedly receives major main card change

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 2:06 PM ET

(Zuffa LLC)

One of UFC 317's controversial main card fights has reportedly been switched around.

The Vegas-based PPV features the vacant lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, as well as flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his belt against Kai Kara-France.

Despite being two weeks away, UFC 317 only has eleven announced fights, and one might have been changed around as per a recent report.

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UFC report: Justin Tafa out of UFC 317 main card fight, Jhonata Diniz finds replacement

As reported by zaclikesmma via 4oz to Freedom on X, with the backing of trusted reporter Marcel Dorff, heavyweight knockout artist Justin Tafa is out of his fight against Jhonata Diniz on the UFC 317 main card.

Justin Tafa is out of his fight against Jhonata Diniz at #UFC317

Replacing Tafa is a friend of the show, Alvin Hines.

Hines comes in with an undefeated record of 7-0 with the latest win over Billy Ray Valdez at #LFA206. pic.twitter.com/PxvhJF0SWi
— 4oz to Freedom (@4ozToFreedomPod) June 14, 2025

Stepping in against Diniz will be Alvin Hines, a 7-0 finisher fighting out of Minnesota. Hines debuted in 2023 and has finished all but one opponent on his seven fight run, he was also undefeated at 3-0 in the amateur ranks.

J.Tafa out. Jhonata Diniz will now fight Alvin Hines at #UFC317 on June 28th. (first rep. @zaclikesmma) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 #IFW2025 pic.twitter.com/bd9Tu5b8Go
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) June 14, 2025

Fans were already perplexed with Diniz and Tafa being on the main card over No. 1-ranked flyweight Brandon Royval. Perhaps with this update, the heavyweights will move down to the prelims.

With this fight, UFC 317 maintains 11 fights.