UFC analyst Michael Chiesa lists potential UFC 317 headliners – from long shots to realistic
The countdown to the 13th annual UFC International Fight Week is on. With roughly three months until the cornerstone event of the world's biggest MMA promotion goes down, UFC 317 on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) still is without a main event.
UFC always tries its hardest to make sure International Fight Week sets the bar high. Over the past decade, however, a variety of circumstances has led to years where it couldn't put its best foot forward.
Will 2025 provide something different? There are a number of potential big-fight options that could fill the main event spot. Top UFC analyst and welterweight veteran Michael Chiesa spoke to MMA Junkie about the numerous potential fights that could headline UFC 317, from the realistic to wild dreams – with the exclusion of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall for the unified heavyweight championship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
30 minutes ago
- USA Today
See Kevin Durant finding out he was traded to Rockets on stage at Fanatics Fest
We've been bracing for Kevin Durant news for several weeks now, and the day has finally come. Durant has a new home. He's headed to the Houston Rockets. And the moment the news was reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, Durant just happened to be on stage at Fanatics Fest in New York in a conversation with Taylor Rooks when we all found out the Suns were trading him for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this summer's draft and five second-round picks. Durant didn't look too surprised, as he likely knew this news was coming. You can see for yourself here:
USA Today
43 minutes ago
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 8 takeaways: Is Khalil Rountree Jr. a threat to Magomed Ankalaev?
What mattered most at UFC on ABC 8 on Saturday at Crystal Palace Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan? Here are a few post-fight musings … 4. Those dreadful prelims The UFC's introduction to Baku was a rough one. The first six fights on the undercard were not to be remembered, with the closest thing to a finish being Ismail Naurdiev's illegal knee on JunYong Park that somehow didn't get him disqualified. The high points were few and far between, and almost nonexistent. The best fight was probably the flyweight bout in which Tagir Ulanbekov defeated Azat Maksum, and even that left a bit to be desired. It's not a set of prelims that will be spotlighted as the way for UFC to introduce itself to a new market. Unfortunately it wasn't redeemed much by the main card, either, with four of six fights also going to a decision, making for the 11th-longest card in UFC history in total fight time. 3. Myktybek Orolbai's impressive start Myktybek Orolbai name might be hard to spell and pronounce, but it is one to remember going forward in the lightweight division after he spoiled the octagon debut of 2019 RIZIN Grand Prix champion Tofiq Musayev courtesy of a nasty choke. Although he's just four fights into his promotional tenure, Orolbai (14-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is building credibility as a much-watch name at 155 pounds. His fights are either wars or finishes, and that's exactly the mold as the most lovable names in divisional history. He might present an older physical image, but Orolbai is still just 27 and evolving training out of a great gym at American Top Team. For now, it feels like he is one who could be a great action fighter for years to come, and perhaps eventually more. 2. Rafael Fiziev bounces back Rafael Fiziev sent a reminder that he is still a viable top-level lightweight when he outworked surging contender Ignacio Bahamondes for a unanimous decision. After losing three consecutive fights against Justin Gaethje (twice) and Mateusz Gamrot, the situation on paper seemed dire for Fiziev (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) coming in. If he had lost to Bahamondes, it would've felt like a definitive ceiling for him. Instead, he came through as an underdog and put himself back into a prominent position. Although he downplayed it, the pressure on Fiziev between the losing skid and fighting in his native Azerbaijan was immense. Instead of folding to it, he came through with a performance that said a lot about his fighting character. 1. Khalil Rountree Jr. is a valid contender After a title shot against then-champion Alex Pereira in October that was largely the product of circumstance, many questioned whether Khalil Rountree Jr. truly belongs at the top of the light heavyweight division or if his valiant performance in defeat against "Poatan" was a one-off. Rountree (14-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) silenced those with a negative perspective when he broke down and defeated former champion Jamahal Hill by unanimous decision for what not becomes the biggest victory of his career. If someone, as Hill did, chooses to largely stand in front of Rountree for the majority of a fight, then they are likely to get battered with his dangerous array of strikes. The upper tier of the 205-pound division has plenty of names who fancy themselves strikers, so this a good spot for Rountree to be. The biggest question, however, is whether he can find the consistency to get back to the top. The fights aren't going to get much easier from here, and if Magomed Ankalaev continues to hold the belt, that is not a very style-friendly matchup for him. Rountree is in a promising spot and after a long career in the octagon seems to be experiencing his high point. Whether it comes together in the form of a title shot or title win remain to be seen, but after so many years of being up and down, he's already done more than most expected of him.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NFL insider says Falcons attempted to sign Pro Bowl cornerback
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Falcons tried to sign Pro Bowl CB Jaire Alexander The Atlanta Falcons spent much of the 2025 NFL offseason addressing their pass rush and secondary. The team drafted first-round edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., re-signed cornerback Mike Hughes, and stole playmaking safety Xavier Watts in the third round. Despite these moves, the Falcons weren't satisfied with their defense. According to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Atlanta was in the mix to sign former Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander before he ended up with the Baltimore Ravens. "Falcons, he was considering," said Fowler. "Miami Dolphins, he was also considering, but Baltimore had the clear edge throughout that process." Alexander, 28, was released a few weeks ago by the Green Bay Packers in a move that shocked the rest of the league. The former first-round pick reportedly had his pick of teams to choose from but signed with Baltimore after visiting his free-agent visit. Atlanta made sense as a possible landing spot, mostly due to Alexander's ties to Falcons assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray. Before joining Atlanta's coaching staff in 2023, Gray coached Alexander when he was the Packers defensive backs coach. "Gray served as the defensive backs/passing game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2021-22," wrote in Gray's coaching profile. "In his three seasons (2020-22) with Green Bay, the Packers finished in the top 10 in passing defense in all three years." Alexander would have been a nice addition to a Falcons secondary that already features A.J. Terrell and Jessie Bates III. Financially, it wouldn't have made a ton of sense for a cash-strapped Atlanta team, but Alexander's talent is undeniable. Over his seven NFL seasons, Alexander had made two Pro Bowls and recorded 12 interceptions in 78 career games (76 starts).
