The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was not born yesterday. Not in Spain either. In the mid-2000s, Fabricio Werdum He came out with the Spanish and Brazilian flags to the octagon. If you look at the offerings of martial arts centers, MMA is in practically all of them. But popularization and global dimension needs champions like Ilia Topuria, who this Thursday offered her host country and recognition the featherweight belt. Upon his arrival in Madrid, where he wants to fight against a myth like McGregor – at the Bernabéu – he received a mass bath worthy of his heroics.
Although it also took its toll on those who did not take a step to congratulate him. “It hurt me not to receive congratulations from the leader of this country (Pedro Sánchez). They made me go through immigration at the airport, but I still love this country”, assured a fighter who is clear that his next fight will be in Spain. He says it with the same determination that has taken him to the top. Bernabéu, yes or yes.
First, at the airport, where the fans who have participated in his success were waiting for him. “It’s the fight of our lives,” he anticipated after making history at UFC 298 by defeating Alexander Volkanovski by KO in which everyone knew he was going to win. Because both he and his team achieved a spell that made it impossible to imagine nothing other than maintaining the 15-0 record in mixed martial arts.
“My brother will be the second Spanish champion”
“Combat represents dreams come true. You can’t expect a better result than to beat a person who has defended the title six times, who has been number one pound for pound… And win in the second round the way I did. The first one surprised me, because it was faster than I expected,” he recalled about the combat in Anaheim (California) as soon as he landed.
Ilia Topuria, after his arrival in Madrid after becoming UFC world champion. // EFE
When asked what he would answer to Volkanovski if he proposed a rematch, he said: “Let him recover.” While regarding the option of fighting at the Bernabéu against McGregor, he assured: “UFC Spain 2024 is a reality. It’s going to happen”. In the afternoon, Topuria appeared before the media in a packed room in which no detail was lacking. An image of him presided over the room, where the gaze went to the red roses on the table.
Universal symbol that Llia has made her own. Because it doesn’t hurt to use the first name, knowing that His brother Alekansadre Topuria will soon debut in the UFC: “He will be the second world champion”. Nail and flesh, judge and party. Path of a dynasty. The ‘Matador’ entered the Rosewood Villa Magna as if it were a fight. Controlling all the flashes and executing a triumphant walk before even entering the scene. He has a special magnetism. “A living being has arrived,” he introduced himself, dressed in a suit, but without a tie, with his chest slightly exposed.
Honor kick at the Bernabéu: “Florentino is a phenomenon”
“I realize what I’ve messed up when I look ahead,” Ilia Topuria began by saying, who advanced that “this is nothing with what’s coming.” The euphoria unleashed means that I cannot even rest. Everyone wants to see the ‘Matador’ in Spain. “I haven’t spoken to Dana White (UFC president) at the moment, but I’m not going to stay without fighting this year. The only fight I am going to accept is going to be on national territory. Let’s have a couple of conversations. It’s going to happen,” the fighter made clear.
Topuria outlined the three fights he would accept, “only in Spain with: McGregor, Holloway putting his title in the middle; and the third Sean O’Malley”. No revenge with Volkanovski: “You feel like it, don’t you?” Safe passage for the fifth in the world, whose team is obsessed with filling “a stadium of 80,000 people”, a path that only passes through the Bernabéu, where he will receive a tribute this Sunday.
“I’m going to meet Florentino this Sunday, I’m very excited about all the things he’s built. He’s a phenomenon”, defended the fighter, unlike the direct criticism he made of Pedro Sánchez. “The team that best represents the values of Spain is Real Madrid. It is the one with which I feel most identified,” he clarified in a week where all the actors wanted to draw on their success.
Topuria’s only fear: that God will abandon him
Topuria will take the kick-off in the match against Sevilla, where, as he admitted, his favorite footballer plays: Sergio Ramos. The UFC champion does not have the institutions to continue with his itinerary, which will move “thanks to my circle.” The one who will keep your feet on the ground. “Without stopping giving an inspiring message to the new generations, no result is going to change me”‘El Matador’ reflected, who is only afraid that God will abandon him.
Precisely, the restriction of those under 16 in MMA events is one of the barriers to be resolved for the UFC Spain to become a reality. Meanwhile, Topuria will continue to fuel an overflowing passion throughout the national territory. “Connor said he has a lot of balls, to come to Spain. “I see you prepared to drink two bottles of whiskey,” he challenged again.
“But even if he was at his best, it would be a ‘snack’. Honestly my goal has always been to compete with myself, I am happy that more and more people are joining and that I am the person who changes people’s perspective that dreams can be fulfilled.“, he declared. Like a precise ‘jab’. A winning combo that he does not leave aside in a very powerful speech that accompanies him everywhere. A hypnotic effect, because he never lets his guard down. Now it’s time for a glass of wine and family, the best possible recovery.
2024-02-22 18:50:17
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