Ilia Topuria’s success at stealing the featherweight belt has pushed the UFC to consider having an event in Spain in the future.
Topuria made history this Saturday after defeating Alexander Volkanovski via knockout. This allowed the young fighter to be crowned as the new champion of the class weight and keep his winning streak and MMA record clean. UFC CEO Dana White was a witness to the performance of “El Matador,” whom he praised for his victory.
“A lot of questions going into this thing: never been in a main event like this, never felt the heat, the pressure,” White said at the UFC 298 post-fight news conference. “He couldn’t have looked any better against a Volk who looked really good, too. That fight was heating up. They were exchanging. Topuria looked solid, man – very solid.
“I think he looked great. Volk is one of the greatest of all time, and he’s definitely the greatest in that weight class ever. Topuria looked damn good in his last fight (vs. Josh Emmett), and he looked damn good tonight. If he keeps his head together and continues to do what he’s doing, he’s going to be a force in that division.”
Prior to his fight, Topuria had already voiced his intent to fight in Madrid for his title defense. Fortunately for the Spanish fighter, White said that the matter is now being considered after the title shot became a success for Topuria.
“We’re going to Spain,” White shared. “… If there’s a venue available for us, we’ll be there.”
As for his next opponent, Topuria is determined to push for Conor McGregor, whose comeback remains a question for many. According to the 27-year-old, he has no intentions of fighting the top contenders of his division and instead wants to face the Irish superstar at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
“If it was my decision, I’d fight Conor McGregor,” Topuria said during the UFC 298 media day. “That would be the fight I’d aim for, and that’s what I aim for.”
