UFC 317 Crisis: Dana White’s Problem Child Without a Main Event
The UFC’s marquee summer event is in serious trouble. With UFC 317 scheduled for June at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Dana White and company find themselves in an unprecedented situation: no main event in sight and the clock ticking loudly.
I’ve been covering MMA for years, and I can’t remember the last time we were this close to a numbered pay-per-view without even a hint of who might headline. Something’s definitely off at UFC headquarters.
The Empty Card Crisis
UFC 317 sits on the calendar like an empty promise. No posters, no promotional videos, not even the usual social media hype campaign that typically begins months in advance. The silence is deafening and fans are getting restless.
“Where’s the damn main event?” asked one fan on Twitter, voicing what thousands are thinking. With just weeks to go, the lack of a headliner is beyond concerning—it’s borderline disastrous for the promotion’s summer schedule.
This isn’t just unusual—it’s virtually unheard of in the modern UFC era.
Potential Headliners MIA
The obvious question is: where are all the champions? Let’s break down why each division’s titleholder seems unavailable:
| Champion | Status | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones (HW) | Recovering from injury | Unlikely |
| Alex Pereira (LHW) | Just fought at UFC 300 | Too soon |
| Dricus du Plessis (MW) | Rumored for July | Booked elsewhere |
| Leon Edwards (WW) | Scheduled for UFC 304 | Already booked |
| Islam Makhachev (LW) | Ramadan recovery | Possible but doubtful |
| Ilia Topuria (FW) | Seeking later date | Unlikely |
| Sean O’Malley (BW) | Negotiating with Merab | Possible |
The Last-Minute Scramble
What we’re seeing is Dana White’s poker face cracking. The UFC president typically projects unwavering confidence, but his silence on UFC 317 speaks volumes. Industry insiders suggest several scenarios are playing out behind the scenes:
- Desperate attempts to get Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili finalized
- Negotiations with top stars for non-title superfights
- Possibility of elevating a strong co-main event to headliner status
- Potential postponement or venue change (though extremely unlikely)
The Vegas Problem
T-Mobile Arena isn’t just any venue—it’s the UFC’s crown jewel in their hometown. Canceling or rescheduling an event there comes with massive financial penalties and damages the relationship with MGM Resorts International.
The promotion has always delivered star-studded cards in Vegas, especially during International Fight Week. This situation is unprecedented and potentially embarrassing for the world’s premier MMA organization.
Is This a Symptom of Bigger Issues?
The UFC 317 situation highlights what many industry observers have been saying: the promotion’s grueling schedule is becoming unsustainable. With 42-45 events annually, there simply aren’t enough marquee fights to go around.
Add in the increasing leverage of top fighters seeking bigger paydays, and you’ve got a recipe for scheduling nightmares like this one.
What Happens Next?
I’m betting we’ll see an announcement within the next 7-10 days, and it’ll likely be one of these options:
- A hastily assembled championship fight (O’Malley vs. Merab being the most likely)
- A non-title superfight with massive star power (perhaps a Conor McGregor return, though highly unlikely)
- A rescheduled event date (pushing it to July, though this creates a domino effect of problems)
Whatever the solution, this situation has already damaged the event’s potential. Pay-per-view buys typically correlate directly with promotion time, and UFC 317 has already lost precious weeks of marketing runway.
Fan Reaction Going Nuclear
The MMA community isn’t known for patience, and social media is already ablaze with theories and criticism. One Reddit thread titled “UFC 317: The Invisible Card” has garnered thousands of comments, with fans alternating between concern and mockery.
“Dana’s playing 4D chess or he’s completely dropped the ball,” wrote one commenter, capturing the confusion many feel about this situation.
What This Means For Vegas MMA Fans
If you’re a Vegas local or planning to travel for this event, hang tight. Tickets haven’t even gone on sale yet—another red flag that something unusual is happening with this card.
My advice? Wait for the official announcement before booking non-refundable travel. The UFC has never outright canceled a numbered event, but there’s always a first time for everything.
The Bottom Line
The UFC 317 situation represents either a massive scheduling oversight or evidence of deeper problems within the promotion’s matchmaking structure. Either way, it’s a fascinating behind-the-scenes drama that exposes the challenges of running the world’s largest MMA organization.
As fans, all we can do is wait and see how Dana White pulls a rabbit out of his hat—or if this turns into the rare occasion where even he can’t make magic happen.
What do you think is happening with UFC 317? Who would you like to see headline? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and keep checking back for updates as this unusual situation develops.