UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria made a huge claim this Tuesday, as rumors continue circulating around when his first title defense will come.
Ilia Topuria won the featherweight title back in February at UFC 298, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round of their highly anticipated main event.
Following that fight, ‘El Matador’ outlined that he intends to defend his 145lb title in his home country of Spain. The 27-year-old admitted that his dream is to headline an event at the Santiago Bernabeu, the home stadium of soccer giants, Real Madrid.
Ilia Topuria claims UFC Spain may have a confirmed date
‘El Matador’ took to X this morning, a few hours after the promotion announced their return to Paris, claiming that UFC Spain has a date.
“I already have a date for UFC Spain.” the champion claimed. Although the UFC are yet to confirm their plans, it was originally rumored that the inaugural Spanish event would take place in the Summer.
The UFC has never held an event in Spain, partly because there hasn’t been a large amount of Spanish stars in the promotion.
With Ilia Topuria being one of the UFC’s biggest active stars it seems as though the timing could work in his favor and he could headline the historic first event in the country.
UFC CEO, Dana White said after UFC 298, that an event at the Santiago Bernabeu ‘sounds good’. Since then he gave an update on UFC Spain at the UFC 300 press conference, admitting that the issue so far has been finding available arenas for the fight.
The champion’s comment hints that the promotion has found a solution to their issue, and Topuria may get his dream fight.
Ilia Topuria’s first title defense likely against Max Holloway
Following his blockbuster win at UFC 300 earlier this year, former champion Max Holloway leapfrogged everyone in the 145lb division, likely securing the title shot.
Since then, Topuria and ‘Blessed’ Holloway have gone back and forth online, with Topuria ordering Holloway to put his ‘BMF’ title on the line as well.
The 27-year-old went on to claim that he would give the title shot to Brian Ortega instead if Holloway didn’t abide by his orders.
Topuria also shut down claims from Joe Rogan, who stated that the Spaniard turned down an opportunity to rematch Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 305 later this year.
Although ‘The Great’ Volkanovski may have been worthy of an immediate rematch, he has confirmed he is taking an extended amount of time away from the Octagon and will return later this year.