Tag: UFC Spain

Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria reveals the UFC already has a date set for its debut in Spain

Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria reveals the UFC already has a date set for its debut in SpainIt looks like reigning UFC featherweight world champion Ilia Topuria will defend his title for the first time in…

Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria reveals the UFC already has a date set for its debut in Spain

It looks like reigning UFC featherweight world champion Ilia Topuria will defend his title for the first time in his home country.

In February, ‘El Matador’ scored a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to claim the 145-pound crown. Immediately following the victory, Topuria expressed his desire to defend the title in Spain — preferably inside the Santiago Bernabeu, the home stadium of Real Madrid.

Taking to social media, Topuria revealed that there is a date set for the UFC’s debut in Reino de España.

Ilia Topuria

“I already have a date for UFC Spain,” Topuria wrote in a translated post on X.

Ilia Topuria

Topuria dropped the news mere hours after the promotion announced its return to Paris, France for the third consecutive year. The UFC will head back to The City of Light on September 28 for a Fight Night event inside the Accor Arena. No bouts have been announced, but in all likelihood, the card will feature the return of former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane who hails from the Western European country.

The event will come six weeks after the conclusion of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

UFC Paris

The event could also see the return of Manon Fiorot and Benoit Saint-Denis who competed on last year’s Paris card.

Who Will Ilia Topuria defend his title against?

As for who we could see Ilia Topuria defend his title against, there are a few potential options — chief among them being Max Holloway. Following his buzzer-beating KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, ‘Blessed’ is primed for another crack at 145-pound gold.

Other options could be a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, though recent reports have suggested that Topuria declined to run it back with ‘The Great’ when presented with the opportunity.

‘El Matador’ has also suggested Brian Ortega as his first title challenger. Bouncing back from a devastating shoulder surgery, ‘T-City’ scored a slick arm-triangle choke in his rematch with Yair Rodriguez a week after Topuria claimed the featherweight strap.

145-pound king Ilia Topuria ready to close the book on Conor McGregor’s legendary UFC career: ‘It is time’

145-Pound king Ilia Topuria ready to close the book on Conor McGregor's iconic UFC career: 'I believe that it is time'Ilia Topuria hopes to be the one to close out Conor McGregor’s final chapter in the UFC. ‘El Matador’…

145-Pound king Ilia Topuria ready to close the book on Conor McGregor's iconic UFC career: 'I believe that it is time'

Ilia Topuria hopes to be the one to close out Conor McGregor’s final chapter in the UFC.

‘El Matador’ sent shockwaves through the UFC fanbase with a stunning second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to claim the featherweight world title.

Ilia Topuria defeats Volkanovski at UFC 298

Since then, Topuria has been angling for a big-money fight with Irish megastar Conor McGregor.

Despite his recent callouts, Topuria made it clear that he has nothing, but respect for McGregor and what the former two-division champion has done for the sport. However, the new 145-pound king says it’s his turn to take the reigns and he plans to start by closing the book on McGregor’s storied career.

“First and foremost, in terms of making our sport known, he is the perfect character,” Topuria said during a recent interview in his home country. “My goal right now is to expand the sport. I want to expand the sport as much as I can and the more people know about it, the better it is. It is the work that I want to do, and precisely for the new generation, for myself, and for the sport — which is what I do, and the passion and love that I have for it.

“He represents a chapter in MMA and I believe that it is time for that chapter of that season to close and a new one to begin. I do think that fighting him, beating him would be like leaving him in the season behind.”

ilia Topuria confirms talks are already underway for the uFC’s first event in Spain

Immediately following Ilia Topuria’s title-winning performance last month, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the promotion would begin discussions for an event in Spain where Topuria resides. Asked for an update on those plans, ‘El Matador’ revealed that talks are already well underway.

“We have a meeting at noon to carry out the entire UFC Spain project,” Topuria said. “It is a fairly complex project, but steps are being taken. If it is going to be Conor, I don’t know. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. And if it’s not him, I’ll fight someone else and I think that Conor will already be in the season behind.”

Ilia Topuria

As for when we could see the UFC head to Spain for the first time in its 30+ year history, Topuria offered a potential timeline.

“I would start counting from summer onwards,” he added.

Though no official details have been revealed, all signs point toward the event going down inside Santiago Bernabéu — the iconic home stadium of Real Madrid since its completion in 1947.

Ilia Topuria to potentially fight at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid

With his win over Alexander Volkanovski in Anaheim, Ilia Topuria moved to a perfect 15-0 in his mixed martial arts career with his last seven victories coming inside the Octagon. He has finished all, but two of his opponents, including five knockouts and eight wins by way of submission.

Even if Topuria can’t lure Conor McGregor into a fight, he has a host of contenders waiting for an opportunity at the top of the featherweight division — chief among them being Brian Ortega who is coming off a big win against former interim champion Yair Rodriguez in February. And, of course, there’s always Max Holloway, a former champion and perennial contender who currently sits as the No. 2 ranked fighter in the weight class.

145-pound king Ilia Topuria ready to close the book on Conor McGregor’s legendary UFC career: ‘It is time’

145-Pound king Ilia Topuria ready to close the book on Conor McGregor's iconic UFC career: 'I believe that it is time'Ilia Topuria hopes to be the one to close out Conor McGregor’s final chapter in the UFC. ‘El Matador’…

145-Pound king Ilia Topuria ready to close the book on Conor McGregor's iconic UFC career: 'I believe that it is time'

Ilia Topuria hopes to be the one to close out Conor McGregor’s final chapter in the UFC.

‘El Matador’ sent shockwaves through the UFC fanbase with a stunning second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to claim the featherweight world title.

Ilia Topuria defeats Volkanovski at UFC 298

Since then, Topuria has been angling for a big-money fight with Irish megastar Conor McGregor.

Despite his recent callouts, Topuria made it clear that he has nothing, but respect for McGregor and what the former two-division champion has done for the sport. However, the new 145-pound king says it’s his turn to take the reigns and he plans to start by closing the book on McGregor’s storied career.

“First and foremost, in terms of making our sport known, he is the perfect character,” Topuria said during a recent interview in his home country. “My goal right now is to expand the sport. I want to expand the sport as much as I can and the more people know about it, the better it is. It is the work that I want to do, and precisely for the new generation, for myself, and for the sport — which is what I do, and the passion and love that I have for it.

“He represents a chapter in MMA and I believe that it is time for that chapter of that season to close and a new one to begin. I do think that fighting him, beating him would be like leaving him in the season behind.”

ilia Topuria confirms talks are already underway for the uFC’s first event in Spain

Immediately following Ilia Topuria’s title-winning performance last month, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the promotion would begin discussions for an event in Spain where Topuria resides. Asked for an update on those plans, ‘El Matador’ revealed that talks are already well underway.

“We have a meeting at noon to carry out the entire UFC Spain project,” Topuria said. “It is a fairly complex project, but steps are being taken. If it is going to be Conor, I don’t know. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. And if it’s not him, I’ll fight someone else and I think that Conor will already be in the season behind.”

Ilia Topuria

As for when we could see the UFC head to Spain for the first time in its 30+ year history, Topuria offered a potential timeline.

“I would start counting from summer onwards,” he added.

Though no official details have been revealed, all signs point toward the event going down inside Santiago Bernabéu — the iconic home stadium of Real Madrid since its completion in 1947.

Ilia Topuria to potentially fight at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid

With his win over Alexander Volkanovski in Anaheim, Ilia Topuria moved to a perfect 15-0 in his mixed martial arts career with his last seven victories coming inside the Octagon. He has finished all, but two of his opponents, including five knockouts and eight wins by way of submission.

Even if Topuria can’t lure Conor McGregor into a fight, he has a host of contenders waiting for an opportunity at the top of the featherweight division — chief among them being Brian Ortega who is coming off a big win against former interim champion Yair Rodriguez in February. And, of course, there’s always Max Holloway, a former champion and perennial contender who currently sits as the No. 2 ranked fighter in the weight class.

Ilia Topuria confirms plans to retire potentially in just 3 years, make UFC return in October fight

Ilia Topuria confirms plans to retire inside 3 years ahead of October return to the UFCNewly-minted undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria claims he may call time on his unbeaten professional career as soon as…

Ilia Topuria confirms plans to retire inside 3 years ahead of October return to the UFC

Newly-minted undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria claims he may call time on his unbeaten professional career as soon as just 2027 – in the aftermath of his stunning knockout win over the dominant Alexander Volkanovski earlier this month at UFC 298. 

Topuria, the current undisputed featherweight champion, headlined UFC 298 in Anaheim earlier this month, ending the featherweight title run of dominant gold holder, Volkanovski – who had ruled the roost over the division since 2019.

And campaigning for a UFC Spain outing as soon as this year, German-born champion, Topuria took part in a ceremonial kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid earlier this week – bringing his championship belt with him to the capital stadium.

Weighing up a slew of title defense opponents for his first outing as featherweight gold holder, Topuria has been linked with an immediate title rematch against Volkanovski, as well as a clash with former duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor.

However, off the back of his recent come-from-behind win over Yair Rodríguez at UFC Fight Night Mexico City last weekend, former title challenger, Brian Ortega has emerged as the bookie’s favorite to land a title fight with Topuria first and foremost.

Ilia Topuria plans retirement within 3 years time

And commenting on his immediate fighting future, Topuria claimed he would be willing to fight as soon as October of November before the close of the annum, however, issued a warning to fans that he’s likely set to retire by the time he’s 30, or 32 years old at the latest.

“Ilia Topuria told El Patridazo de COPE that he wants his first title defense to be in October or November and he wants to retire between the age of 30-32. He’s currently 27 years old.”

Who do you want to see Ilia Topuria fight in his first title defense?

Conor McGregor bites back after Ilia Topuria issues challenge at UFC 298: ‘I have huge balls, I have 4 kids’

Conor McGregor responds to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 I have huge balls I have four kidsConor McGregor finally responded to Ilia Topuria’s callout, and his answer didn’t do much to enlighten the fans about…

Conor McGregor responds to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 I have huge balls I have four kids

Conor McGregor finally responded to Ilia Topuria’s callout, and his answer didn’t do much to enlighten the fans about his next move.

Ilia Topuria made history at UFC 298 and handed Alexander Volkanovski his first loss in a UFC featherweight title fight. Volkanovski had been riding a six-fight winning streak as a featherweight champion but finally met his match in Topuria, who knocked him out cold in the second round.

After the fight, Topuria had a message for the Irishman, saying: “…And Conor McGregor, if you still have some balls, I will be waiting for you in Spain!”

Conor McGregor would eventually reply with what could be considered a “Dad joke” (pun intended), by saying: “I have huge balls. I have four kids.”

Conor McGregor’s UFC return is still up in the air

While rumor after rumor has hit the MMA mill, nothing has really truly stuck. In fact, as far as McGregor’s return goes, there’s nothing well and truly concrete about it at all.

His next opponent is supposed to be Michael Chandler, but no official proof that this fight will happen has surfaced, despite both agreeing online about a half dozen times about it. The return date has also been bantered around many times, with many hoping to see the Irishman return at UFC 300. Others, however, have said he’s likely to headline International Fight Week later this year in the summertime.

Regardless, fans can only hope to see the world’s largest MMA star finally make his long-awaited return sometime in 2024.

Who do you think McGregor will actually fight when he makes his return to the UFC octagon?

Ilia Topuria shoots his shot, calls for a clash with conor mcGregor in Spain

Ilia Topuria and Conor McGregorUndefeated UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria has officially entered the Conor McGregor sweepstakes. McGregor has been absent from the…

Ilia Topuria and Conor McGregor

Undefeated UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria has officially entered the Conor McGregor sweepstakes.

McGregor has been absent from the Octagon after suffering a devastating loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Since then, fans have been chomping at the bit to find out when the former two-division titleholder would make his long-awaited return. McGregor recently teased a big announcement for New Year’s Day, with many suspecting, or at the very least hoping, that it will pertain to his quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sports history.”

McGregor is still expected to fight former Bellator MMA champion ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler in 2024, but with no official announcements thus far, it’s always possible that the UFC could pivot to a completely different fight for the Irishman. Of the names on that short list, Ilia Topuria is likely not one of them, but that didn’t stop the Spanish standout from shooting his shot on social media.

“Topuria vs McGregor #ufcspain,” Topuria wrote on X.

Will Ilia Topuria Dethrone ‘The Great’ in 2024?

Currently, Ilia Topuria is gearing up for his first shot at a world title as he is set to square off with reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The two 145’ers will headline UFC 298 on February 17 as the promotion returns to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

With 14 straight victories, six of those coming under the UFC banner, ‘El Matador’ established himself as the next man in line with an impressive unanimous decision victory over former interim title challenger Josh Emmett in June.

If Topuria manages to knock off Volkanovski in impressive fashion, his chances of bagging a fight with McGregor could vastly improve. But it would be foolish of Topuria to look past one of the pound-for-pound greatest fighters in UFC history.