Dana White Turns Up the Heat on Ilia Topuria Before UFC 317 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
UFC 317 is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest cards, and all eyes are locked on the explosive main event. Taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas during UFC’s annual International Fight Week, the card features Ilia Topuria diving straight into title contention.
The undefeated contender isn’t easing into championship waters—he’s gunning for gold against a man who’s been there before. Charles Oliveira is on a mission to reclaim what was once his, and he’s bringing fire into the Octagon. And as if the stakes weren’t already sky-high, UFC President Dana White may have just turned up the pressure.
The press conference and face-off held earlier today only added fuel to the hype, The wait is over, and the matchup fans have been buzzing about is finally here. With the main event locked in and the stage set, this has all the makings of a fight that could steal the show during International Fight Week.
Then came the media moment that turned heads. A question—captured by MMA Junkie—zeroed in on Dana White: if Topuria finishes Oliveira, does he become the new face of the UFC? White didn’t blink.
‘If he goes in and does what he says he’s gonna do Saturday night, he’s absolutely one of the biggest stars in combat sports.’
Dana White sets a MASSIVE ceiling for Ilia Topuria with a #UFC317 win.
“If he goes in and does what he says he’s gonna do Saturday night, he’s absolutely one of the biggest stars in combat sports.” pic.twitter.com/ObAZMvGwtG
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 26, 2025
That kind of praise is a double-edged sword—it’s validation, but it also paints a massive target. There’s no easing into this spotlight. If Topuria pulls it off, we’re talking about one of the most electric runs in recent UFC memory—consecutive finishes over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway would put him in rare air.
But this isn’t a coronation; it’s a collision. Oliveira, with chaos in his DNA and a chip on his shoulder, is still every bit the problem. He’s the guy who ruins carefully crafted narratives and shatters momentum with one well-timed submission.
With confidence overflowing from both corners, UFC 317 isn’t just a fight—it’s a crossroads. A Topuria win could launch him into superstardom. A statement from Oliveira could flip the script all over again. Either way, the Octagon in Vegas is set to deliver a main event no one will forget.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.