Reigning UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria claims he already has a date for the promotion’s debut in Spain, where “El Matador” will make the first defense his 145-pound title. No opponent has been confirmed just yet, but the leading candidates are former division champions Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
Topuria also has his eye on No. 3-ranked contender Brian Ortega.
“We’re going to Spain,” UFC CEO Dana White told reporters during UFC 298’s post-fight press conference (watch it here). “If there’s a venue available for us, we’ll be there. We’re definitely going to Spain … and it would be a pay-per-view.”
Topuria was awarded Spanish citizenship by the Prime Minister just a few weeks back.
The promotion already has most (but not all) of its 2024 PPV cards mapped out (see them here). There appears to be openings for UFC 307, as well as UFC 309 And UFC 310 in November and December, depending on how things shake out.
Stay tuned.