Ilia Topuria has become one of the biggest stars of the UFC and has constantly called for the promotion to take an event to Spain.
When Ilia Topuria eliminated Alexander Volkanovski on UFC 298 last year, he immediately became one of the greatest stars of the UFC ever from Europe.
His Starpower was then raised ten times when he became the first hunter ever to eliminate Max Holloway and defended his title against him at UFC 308.
After picking up the biggest scalp in the weight class, Topuria began to ask the promotion to bring an event to his home country Spain.
Photo by Dennis AGYEMAN / AFP7 via Getty images
UFC Executive gives an update on the potential of UFC Spain
In anticipation of his switch to the lightweight division, in which he constantly calls for a lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, the 28-year-old teased that he will enter the next phase of his career with 'a new identity'.
Earlier this week, during a revelation of a street named after him in Toledo, Spain, Topuria unveiled the new nickname that will accompany him in his move to 155 pounds.
Since the rise from Topuria to the top in the UFC, Boss Dana White has constantly suggested to hold an event in Spain.
The promotion returned to London for the sixth time since 2020 last weekend, and during the press conference after the fight, UFC director Dave Shaw gave an update about the potential to hold an event in Spain.
“Dana spoke quite a bit (UFC Spain), here is the situation with Spain, we have to find the right destination, and we have talked a lot about it. We are not going to go locations that have no roof, it is not logical for our athletes and for the product,” Shaw explained.
Ilia Topuria is no longer interested in the pursuit of UFC Spain event
Despite the Shaw update about the potential of an event in Spain, Topuria is no longer interested in pursuing an event in his home country and he has revealed exactly why.
“It is because of the agreement that the UFC has with ESPN, the planning problem, because if they bring a numbered event to Spain, it should be at 4 o'clock or 5 am to be prime time on American television, so I don't see it so feasible to have everyone at 4 hours or 5 hours,” Topuria said during a press conference in Spain.
“Even as a athlete I don't see myself competing at the time. I've already done it once in Abu Dhabi where we had to fight at such a crazy time, and I don't want to do it again, to be honest,” he continued.
When the promotion returned to Manchester for UFC 304 last year, one of the biggest controversies about the event that the fighting took place during the local time in the early morning was.
Topuria then prepares for Makahachev or Oliveira
Despite the fact that Makhachev has excluded a potential collision against Topuria, the Spaniard has admitted that he is preparing for a fight against him or former champion Charles Oliveira.
The 28-year-old and Oliveira have been involved in a recent online feud, in which 'Do Bronx' claims that he will not fight Topuria if he continues to pursue a title shot himself.
“All my training is aimed at Islam or Charles because I see no other opponents … Neither does it seem to dare (to fight me) … these are the symptoms of fear; we all know that, but it is normal. I would be afraid,” he said.
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