Look, everyone knows International Fight Week is the biggest circus in the combat sports world. If you’re trying to figure out when does ufc 317 start, you aren't just looking for a clock time; you’re looking for the schedule of a massive historical event. This isn't just another Saturday night at the Apex with quiet crowds and echoing punches. We’re talking about the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The event, which officially took place on June 28, 2025, served as the crown jewel of the UFC's summer festivities. If you're looking back to catch the replay or wondering how the broadcast windows typically flow for these major Pay-Per-View (PPV) cards, the timing is pretty rigid.
UFC 317: Main Card and Prelim Start Times
If you want to watch the heavy hitters, you have to know which "window" you're aiming for. The UFC splits these things into three distinct blocks.
Honestly, the UFC 317 start time for the main card is the one that matters most for your wallet, since that’s the PPV portion. In the U.S., that main card kicked off at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT. If you were on the East Coast, you were probably settling in for a long night of coffee and adrenaline.
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The Full Broadcast Schedule
- Early Prelims: These usually start the "vibe" of the night. For UFC 317, they began at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT. You could catch these on UFC Fight Pass or ESPN+.
- Preliminary Card: This is the middle tier where the rising contenders live. These fights started at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT and aired on ESPN and ESPN+.
- Main Card (PPV): The big show. 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT.
It’s a marathon. You’re looking at roughly six to seven hours of total fight time if you watch from the first walkout to the final Bruce Buffer announcement.
Why This Specific Card Was a Big Deal
The reason people were so obsessed with when does ufc 317 start was the main event: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira. But there was a twist. Usually, Topuria defends his featherweight belt, but for this one, he moved up to 155 pounds to chase "champ-champ" status for the vacant lightweight title.
Why was it vacant? Islam Makhachev decided to chase his own greatness by moving up to welterweight to fight Jack Della Maddalena. This left a power vacuum at lightweight that only "Do Bronx" and "El Matador" could fill.
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The atmosphere in Vegas during International Fight Week is basically a fever dream for MMA fans. You’ve got the Hall of Fame induction ceremony happening, the UFC X fan expo, and then this massive card to end it all.
The Fight Order that Night
- Main Event: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira (Lightweight Title)
- Co-Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France (Flyweight Title)
- Featured Bout: Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van
- Main Card Opener: Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Getting the Most Out of the Broadcast
If you’re watching a replay or prepping for a similar future event, remember that "start time" is a loose term in MMA. The 10:00 PM ET start is when the broadcast begins. The actual main event walkouts for Topuria and Oliveira didn't happen until well after midnight on the East Coast.
Depending on how many fights end in a quick knockout (like Topuria’s eventual first-round finish of Oliveira), the schedule can shift. If every fight goes to a three-round decision, you’re looking at a very late night.
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Actionable Insights for the Next Big PPV:
- Check the Time Zone: Always confirm if the "start time" you see is ET or PT. Vegas events are notoriously late for East Coasters.
- The "Buffer" Rule: Expect the main event to start roughly 2 to 2.5 hours after the Main Card broadcast begins.
- App Prep: If you’re streaming on ESPN+, log in 15 minutes early. There’s nothing worse than a "password reset" prompt right as the first bell rings.
The move from Ilia Topuria to jump up in weight proved he’s as dangerous at lightweight as he is at featherweight, and knowing exactly when to tune in made sure fans didn't miss that lighting-fast right hand that ended the night.