UFC 317 DFS Picks: Must-Start Fighters & Value Plays

• UFC 317 brings massive DFS upside with two title fights at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 28th
• Alexandre Pantoja’s grappling-heavy style makes him a potential slate-breaker at $20K on FanDuel
• Check out our must-have plays and value picks for DFS success below

International Fight Week delivers a stacked DFS slate with two title fights and multiple high-upside spots. The volatile nature of UFC 317 creates opportunities for both cash games and GPPs, with clear paths to massive scores.

Lock in your lineups before the early prelims start at 6:30 pm ET on Saturday. Here’s your complete DFS breakdown with FanDuel salaries and tournament-winning plays.

UFC 317 DFS Salaries

Salaries as of June 25th on FanDuel. Check out our recommended DFS apps for UFC 317.

Must-Have UFC 317 DFS Plays

Alexandre Pantoja ($20K)

When you look at Pantoja’s recent scores, the numbers are staggering: 143 vs Erceg, 142 vs Royval, 143 vs Moreno. He’s landed 26 takedowns in his last four title fights with double-digit attempts in three of them. This is the definition of DFS gold in a five-round fight.

Against Kara-France’s 88% takedown defense, he won’t get all his attempts, but he only needs a few to rack up massive points. The Brazilian’s relentless pressure and chain wrestling should eventually break down Kara-France’s defense. At $20K, he’s expensive but worth every penny if this becomes the grappling-heavy affair we expect. In cash games, he’s as close to a lock as you’ll find.

Terrance McKinney ($17K)

McKinney has never seen a decision in 23 professional fights. Think about that for a second. His fight with Borshchev is the ultimate boom or bust play, but at $17K, the upside is worth the risk in tournaments. This is a fight that screams first-round finish.

Against Borshchev’s 43% takedown defense, McKinney could rack up takedowns and control time quickly. He attempts nine per 15 minutes and has multiple first-round submission wins in the UFC. If he gets on top early, we’re looking at potential 120+ points. The concern is his cardio after five minutes, but let’s be honest: this fight won’t last that long.

Ilia Topuria ($21K)

Topuria’s knockouts of Volkanovski and Holloway proved he’s elite. His body-head combinations are the best in MMA, and Oliveira has been dropped in four of his last six fights. The power that slept two featherweight legends translates up in weight.

I’m expecting a second or third-round TKO that scores 100+ points. At $21K, he’s expensive but safer than Jacobe Smith at $23K with similar finishing upside. Topuria’s defensive grappling is underrated too, so even if Oliveira shoots desperation takedowns, he should stuff them and keep landing bombs.

Value UFC 317 Picks

Joshua Van ($16K)

Van is taking this fight on three weeks’ notice but don’t let that scare you off. The 23-year-old lands 8.2 significant strikes per minute and has posted 100+ significant strikes in five of his eight UFC bouts. His 81% takedown defense should keep this standing where his boxing can shine.

At $16K, you’re getting a fighter who could score 80+ points in a three-round decision or 100+ with a finish. Van has that dog in him, and this quick turnaround might actually help him stay loose and aggressive. Perfect GPP play with lower ownership th

Beneil Dariush ($14K)

The line movement tells the story here. Dariush opened at +118 and is already near even money. Sharp money is coming in on the veteran, and at $14K, he’s priced like a much bigger underdog than he actually is.

Moicano isn’t a devastating striker, which eliminates Dariush’s biggest weakness. If this becomes a grappling match, Dariush’s elite scrambling and submission skills give him multiple paths to big points. He’s my favorite leverage play in the mid-range, especially for tournaments.

Payton Talbott ($12K)

Everyone’s written off Talbott after his loss to Barcelos, but that creates value at $12K. Yes, his takedown defense was exposed, but he’s had six months to work on it. More importantly, his striking is still elite, and Lima isn’t the wrestler that Barcelos is.

If Talbott can stuff even half of Lima’s takedown attempts, his volume and power give him paths to a big score. At this price, you’re getting a potential 90+ point performance if he can keep it standing. Perfect tournament play with what should be single-digit ownership.

UFC 317 GPP Strategy

Fade the Chalk: Jacobe Smith at $23K projects for 40%+ ownership but needs a first-round finish to pay off that massive salary. Tracy Cortez at $19K is the ultimate anti-DFS fighter who goes to decisions with limited upside. She’ll be popular because she’s a big favorite, but her ceiling is capped.

Low Ownership Leverage: Gregory Rodrigues ($18K) has massive power and faces a Hermansson who’s been inactive for a year. Felipe Lima ($18K) could be under-owned if people chase the Talbott redemption narrative. Renato Moicano ($15K) at near pick’em odds provides solid value.

Optimal Construction: Build around finishers and five-round fighters. One boom/bust play like McKinney, one five-round favorite like Pantoja, then fill in with underpriced fighters who have clear paths to victory. Avoid the middle ground of expensive decision fighters.