The Nevada State Athletic Commission has approved the officials for UFC 317, featuring Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title and Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight belt against Kai Kara-France, with Marc Goddard and Herb Dean as referees, and specific judges assigned for each fight.
The referees and judges for UFC 317’s title fights are set. Ilia Topuria will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title, while Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight belt against Kai Kara-France.
On Friday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission gave the green light to the officials for the June 28 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Exciting times ahead!
Marc Goddard will referee the Topuria vs. Oliveira fight. They’re vying for the belt Islam Makhachev recently vacated.
Judges Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato, and Chris Lee are on deck for this bout. It’s gonna be intense!
In the co-main event, Pantoja aims for his fourth straight title defense against Kara-France. Can he do it?
Herb Dean, the veteran referee, will be in the octagon for Pantoja vs. Kara-France. Judges Mike Bell, Ben Cartilage, and Ron McCarthy will score the fight.
The rest of the referee and judging assignments? Well, those are a mystery until fight night. Keeps us on our toes, doesn’t it?
UFC 317 wraps up International Fight Week, though the final bout order remains a mystery. Anticipation is in the air!
The main card kicks off on Saturday night, June 28, at 10 p.m. ET. Catch it on ESPN+ pay-per-view. Don’t miss it!