Dana White’s vision to fill 80,000 seater entirely possible with Ilia Topuria claims UFC legend

UFC Spain debut and PPV card at the Santiago Bernabéu still possible with Ilia Topuria, amid Islam Makhachev fight talks.

Dana White’s vision to fill 80,000 seater entirely possible with Ilia Topuria claims UFC legend

UFC Spain at 80,000-seat Santiago Bernabéu feat. Ilia Topuria is still in talks (Source: X/IMAGO)

Ilia Topuria is vacating his 145-pound title and said he’s gunning for an Islam Makhachev fight. Topuria already touts the massive superstardom that he has accumulated well in a year. Now, many bill that he can find success at lightweight limits and even challenge Makhachev. Given all that, Daniel Cormier thinks Topuria is primed for a UFC Spain event, specifically at Santiago Bernabéu.

Ilia Topuria was on tab for Santiago Bernabéu after he bagged gold at the UFC 298 PPV headliner. Coach Jorge Climent iterated that the UFC litigation was aware of the hype, and that he was in a prime spot for a UFC Spain debut. Before defending, Topuria drove up the bargain, saying they are in for a UFC Spain PPV title headliner already. With the explosion in popularity, Daniel Cormier thinks the fighter is still the best choice for the locale.

Very few people can bring a fight to their country and sell it out. Ilia is one of those guys, …If they were to go to Spain, they could sell out the Bernabéu, which is a huge stadium — I feel confident that if he were to fight there, he could sell that out.

Daniel Cormier via his Official YT Channel (@DC_MMA)
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A week back, UFC Executive Dave Shaw said the brass was working through the logistics of such a dream. The 80,000-seater Santiago Bernabéu is an open-area arena for soccer grind, unlike anything the UFC ever does. Hence, UFC CEO Dana White said such places would have to lock-in extra security/athlete comfort. There are other drawbacks as well.

For one, Topuria and his bloated fan-following have made MMA/UFC a part of their niche sporting culture. But Camp Club Climent manager Lukasz Orzel told that FC Barcelona was against it. Booking Santiago Bernabéu for MMA blocks out 1/2 El Clásico stadiums.

Hence, there is no denying that the UFC Spain dreams are going a bit stale these days. But, like Daniel Cormier said, there is also no denying that Topuria’s stock keeps rising. So, if Spain PPVs were ever to happen, he is the man for it.

UFC champ Islam Makhachev ‘not afraid’ of Ilia Topuria PPV title fight, per friend Daniel Cormier

There is no denying that Ilia Topuria has had unprecedented fame. But his shift up to 155-pound limits is still a bridge that needs crossing. Some think the Spanish-Georgian fighter has what it takes to challenge top lightweight names for top contender matchups. However, Topuria isn’t waiting on those.

Ilia Topuria's claims on Islam Makhachev refuted by Daniel Cormier
Ilia Topuria’s claims on Islam Makhachev refuted by Daniel Cormier (Source: X/IMAGO)

He did drive up the bargain for a 155-pound top-seed matchup against Charles Oliveria. But trading barbs, Oliveira had other plans and denied. Topuria then straight shot for Islam Makhachev and even said he was ducking him. Daniel Cormier denied the thought that an elite lightweight like Makhachev, on a 15-fight streak and four defenses, was “afraid.”

The important thing is, all the conversation surrounds Ilia Topuria right now, …Ilia said that he wants a title fight. Point blank. He said he’s focusing all of his training [for Islam]…Ilia Topuria is a cool guy, but I kind of disagree. I know for sure Islam Makhachev is not afraid of him.

Daniel Cormier further said
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Cormier does not think it’s totally off-base, but it is off putting since he knows Islam Makhachev quite well. If anything, the only thing the Dagestani is afraid of is blatant claims of being a weight bully. Makhachev always catches fire for allegedly bullying current or former 145-pounders and cast his victories. His record-setting reign does not need another such claim, per DC.

However, Cormier did instigate the thought that Ilia Topuria vs. Makhachev is ‘the’ blockbuster PPV title fight to make. For now, though, Topuria will try goading a matchup, saying the lightweight champ is afraid or underprepared.

Related: Spain to South Africa: How Dana White’s 2025 dreams could see UFC traveling to never-before venues