At a time when the UFC fanbase seemingly has never more vocal about its frustration with the watering down of cards, here came UFC 317. The International Fight Week card is always considered one of, if not the biggest card of the year, and UFC 317 definitely has a case for the best card of 2025, thus far. The event crowned a new lightweight champion in spectacular fashion, had a thoroughly impressive title defense from Alexandre Pantoja, and a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender fight to determine the next title challenger at flyweight. With that incredibly fun night now behind us, let’s look at what should be next for the winners.
Ilia Topuria
After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in 2024, Ilia Topuria was on something of a villain arc, seeing as he had just defeated two fan-favourites in a row. Well, that arc didn’t stop on Saturday as “El Matador” knocked out yet another fan-favourite in brutal fashion when he stopped Charles Oliveira in the very first round. It was another crowning achievement for the 28-year-old who has already accomplished so much in this sport.
With Islam Makhachev now moving up to welterweight, we unfortunately have to put that fight on the backburner. There are three names that are clearly ahead of the pack at 155 when it comes to contendership. There’s Justin Gaethje, who has been saying he will retire if he’s not offered a title shot next. There’s Arman Tsarukyan, who I personally believe is the rightful number one contender. However, hearing how Dana White talks about Arman, I doubt they will actually end up giving it to him. Then there’s Paddy Pimblett. Mostly thanks to a beef years in the making, “The Baddy” got to go face off with the Topuria inside the cage.
We can argue whether or not a win over Michael Chandler in 2025 is enough to warrant a title shot, but no one can dispute the fact that Topuria vs Pimblett is the biggest fight of all three of those options. As the promotion is in the middle of the last year of its TV deal, and with Jon Jones and Conor McGregor most likely not coming back, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the UFC opt for the biggest possible matchup. The fans are craving events with ‘big fight feel’ and Paddy the Baddy versus so-called “Hand Sanitizer Boy” would certainly scratch that itch.
Topuria’s next fight: Paddy Pimblett
Alexandre Pantoja
“The Cannibal” defended his belt for the fourth time with a slick third-round submission of Kai Kara-France and proved once more why he’s a top 5 pound-for-pound fighter. Pantoja had already beaten the Kiwi when the two met on The Ultimate Fighter in an exhibition bout, but this time, it will show up on his record.
During fight week, Pantoja expressed his clear lack of interest in moving up to bantamweight. His sights are on his own division, and he knows who’s waiting for him as he got to face-off inside the cage with his next challenger, 23-year-old Joshua Van.
Pantoja’s next fight: Joshua Van
Joshua Van
We knew Van was very good, but some wondered if his insane levels of activity would catch up with him. He pushed those worries to the limit this time around, taking on the number one ranked Brandon Royval at UFC 317 on a three-week turnaround. These are levels of activity that rival even Kevin Holland, and the 23-year-old managed to pull off the victory, knocking down Royval late in the 3rd round, in a wild back-and-forth, winner-take-all round.
The youngster then got front row seats for the co-main event and got to size up his division’s champion in the cage. Time will tell if Van is ready to dethrone the champion 12 years his elder, but one thing is for sure: win or lose, he will make it entertaining.
Van’s next fight: Alexandre Pantoja
Beneil Dariush
After a nearly 19-month layoff, the veteran Dariush finally came back to fight Renato Moicano in a fight that was initially booked for January. After a scare in round one, Dariush rallied back to win the next two rounds and win a unanimous decision.
After his win last week, I penciled Rafael Fiziev to face the winner of this fight, and my opinion hasn’t changed. Dariush and Fiziev are two fighters that are back in the win column after long stretches without a win. It’s a fight that can fit nicely on any Pay-Per-View and could even headline a Fight Night card.
Dariush’s next fight: Rafael Fiziev
Payton Talbott
The 26-year-old Talbott bounced back nicely against a very highly touted prospect in Felipe Lima at UFC 317. Talbott showed improved grappling defense and used his polished striking to win two of the three closely contested rounds. A nice step to restore the hype he had just a year ago when he got a 19-second KO on last year’s International Fight Week card.
Talbott lost his 0 back in January when he surrendered eight takedowns to wily veteran Raoni Barcelos. The Brazilian followed that win with another unanimous decision over former champion Cody Garbrandt just two weeks ago. I think Talbott should face Garbrandt next. It would be a fun striking battle and it’s a matchup that would garner enough attention to put Talbott back on the map should he earn a nice victory.
Talbott’s next fight: Cody Garbrandt
