Even just a half-pound matters in mixed martial arts (MMA), a lot … just ask “Do Bronx.”
Ilia Topuria initially appeared to have trouble hitting 155 pounds during UFC 317’s official weigh ins on Friday, but did anyone notice?
The former UFC featherweight champion is moving up in weight to take on Charles Oliveira for UFC’s vacant lightweight title later tonight (Sat., June 28, 2025) at UFC 317 LIVE on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It’s a move that Topuria made official earlier this year as he wanted to leave extended red wine-drinking weight cuts behind forever.
On Friday, “El Matador” stepped on stage for early weigh ins and looked confident on the scale (full results here). However, it was announced that Topuria’s weight first came in at 155.5 pounds, which would put him overweight for his lightweight title fight against “Do Bronx.”
Topuria didn’t seem to bat an eye, though.
Someone quickly interjected and stated that, “he has to make 155.” The commission took another look and claimed that they “misspoke,” confirming that Topuria’s weight was actually 155 pounds.
Check it out below:
Ilia Topuria missed weight at 155.5. The commission comes back confirms 155.5 & somebody says “HE MUST MAKE 155”
Then magically he says “155” & claims he misspoke. How is this not the biggest story heading into UFC 317??? pic.twitter.com/UMg00AY83n
— MMA Joey (@MMAJOEYC) June 28, 2025
Anything controversial about this? Or, do you think this was a simple mistake by the commission?
To be honest, it’s hard to tell.
Obviously, UFC doesn’t want Topuria to come in overweight, defeat Oliveira at UFC 317, and then not be eligible to win the vacant lightweight title; however, the promotion has pulled the plug on big fights before in similar situations. While it’s only a half-pound difference it’s still a requirement from both fighters.
After all, Oliveira weighed in at 154.5 pounds without any second takes.
LIVE! Watch UFC 317 PPV On ESPN+ Here!
CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE-DIP! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., June 28, 2025, with a championship doubleheader headlining UFC 317 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of International Fight Week. In UFC 317’s PPV main event, former Featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, challenges ex-Lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira, for Islam Makhachev’s vacated 155-pound title in a high-stakes, five-round showdown. UFC 317’s PPV co-main event features Flyweight kingpin, Alexandre Pantoja,defending his 125-pound belt against No. 4-seeded contender, Kai Kara-France, in an electrifying five-round rematch. UFC 317 will also showcase a Lightweight bout between Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano, as well as a short-notice Flyweight clash pitting Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van, and much more! UFC 317’s start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).
Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 317 fight card right RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 317 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 317: “Topuria vs. Oliveira” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 317 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
