At last, we’ve arrived: Ilia Topuria (16-0), ascending from the featherweight division, enters the Octagon for a lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira (35-10-1) tomorrow evening at UFC 317 in Las Vegas. 

Topuria Betting Favorite 

The battle at T-Mobile Arena starts at 10 p.m. E.S.T. Enjoyed the weigh-in today and the pre-fight press conference yesterday—no antics, strictly professional, composed and collected, Topuria weighed in at 155 pounds, Oliveira at 154.5. No animosity. Oliveira is regarded as one of the most honorable fighters in the UFC. 

Islam Makhachev surrendered the lightweight championship to advance to welterweight. Topuria is the clear favorite at BetMGM with odds of -450 (while Oliveira is at +350). Look at where the funds are directed – 90% of wagers on Oliveira, 63% of the total. 

Topuria had previously criticized Makhachev for abandoning his title, labeling him a “hypocrite” and accusing him of fleeing, but he retracted those statements on Ariel Helwani’s show this week: 

“I think he’s doing his thing. I don’t think he’s ducking me, to be honest. I would be lying to you if I told you that he’s ducking me. I think he’s tired of the weight cut. He wants a new challenge. He moved to the welterweight division. He feels and he thinks that he has a chance to become a double champion, and I think that this is all he’s trying to do.”

Funds Heading in Charles’ Direction 

A trader from BetVictor reflected similar observations as BetMGM in a conversation with Casino.org: 

“All Charles’ money,” said Mark Collier. “Certainly for the bout that’s for sure. The Las Vegas line is holding prefer firm at 1/5 – 7/2 but no doubt, the Oliveira backing is because of the unpredictable style he has.”

Limited affection for Topuria. 

“Figure maybe the change in division might have a bearing,” he said. “As champions go, I think he’s there to be knocked out.”

Johnny Avello States It's Slightly Unique at DraftKings 

BetVictor lists Topuria at -500 and Oliveira at +350. 

Johnny Avello, the race & sportsbook director at DraftKings, reports that the betting handle is split evenly, with Topuria receiving 61% of the total wagers and Oliveira capturing 39%. DraftKings lists Topuria at -455 and Oliveira at +350. 

At BetMGM, the majority of betting props this afternoon are: Oliveira to win by Submission +650, Oliveira to win by KO/TKO or DQ +1100, Topuria to win by KO/TKO or DQ -175, and Oliveira to win by Decision/Technical Decision +1400. 

Alexandre Pantoja faces Kai Kara-France in a flyweight championship match on the main card. 

“The Co-Main event not taken anything exciting but that’s not too surprising for a flyweight bout,” Collier said. “Personally I am a little disappointed we haven’t seen more action on the Dariush-Moicano (lightweight bout) but with bout betting so close, maybe it’s not that surprising. Only other really main action has come from the other flyweight bout on the main card with Joshua Van flipping the betting line and gone 4/5 favourite against Brandon Royval. Surely that one has a Split Decision all over it.”

BetVictor lists Pantoja at -250 and Kara-France at +190. The lightweight match Collier mentions: Dariush +100, Moicano -125.