{"id":34650,"date":"2025-03-30T19:25:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T18:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=34650"},"modified":"2025-03-30T19:25:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-30T18:25:18","slug":"ilia-topuria-takes-a-backseat-in-pursuing-ufc-event-in-spain-due-to-this-reason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/ilia-topuria-takes-a-backseat-in-pursuing-ufc-event-in-spain-due-to-this-reason\/","title":{"rendered":"Ilia Topuria Takes A Backseat In Pursuing UFC Event In Spain Due To This Reason!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine being so popular that an entire street gets named after you! That is the reality for Ilia Topuria, the UFC sensation who has taken the fighting world by storm. Since bursting onto the scene and claiming the featherweight title with a knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, Topuria has become one of Europe’s biggest MMA <\/a>stars.<\/p>

His star power only grew brighter when he became the first fighter ever to knock out the legendary Max Holloway during his title defense at UFC 308. But despite his massive popularity in Spain, Topuria is pumping the brakes on something fans have been eagerly anticipating.<\/p>

Also Read: Ilia Topuria Names These 2 Lightweights As His Next Potential Opponents<\/a><\/p>

Topuira’s Spanish Dream Fades<\/h2>

For months, Topuria had been vocal about bringing the UFC to Spain. As the country’s biggest MMA star, he seemed like the perfect ambassador to finally establish the promotion in his homeland. UFC CEO Dana White even hinted several times that Spain was on their radar for future events. It seemed like only a matter of time before Spanish fans would get to witness UFC action on their home soil. But now, Topuria has revealed he is no longer interested in pushing for this dream.<\/p>

“It’s because of the agreement the UFC has with ESPN, the scheduling issue, because if they bring a numbered event to Spain it would have to be at 4AM or 5AM to be prime time on US television, so I don’t see it as very feasible to have everyone on their feet at 4AM or 5AM…Even as an athlete, I don’t see myself competing at that time. I already did 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,” <\/em><\/strong>Topuria said via a press conference in Spain.<\/p>

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🇪🇸 Ilia Topuria explains why it's difficult for the UFC to hold an event in Spain:

\"It's because of the agreement the UFC has with ESPN, the scheduling issue, because if they bring a numbered event to Spain it would have to be at 4AM or 5AM to be prime time on US television, so… pic.twitter.com\/rEl4RNt8kH<\/a><\/p>— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 27, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>