“This would be horrible look” – Fans protest Spaniard Ilia Topuria headlining Mexican Independence Day card at Las Vegas Sphere
Ilia Topuria headlining the UFC 306, scheduled for Mexican Independence Day could lead to a major fan backlash.
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Spanish champ Ilia Topuria indicates headlining UFC 306 (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)
In the aftermath of UFC 300, there has been much talk about Ilia Topuria’s maiden defense. After the sensational last-second KO of Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway is the fight to make. Topuria also thinks so rather dismissively. As for his schedule of return, the fighter had some alarming notions. He thinks it could happen at UFC 306 on the occasion of the Mexican Independence Day.
CEO Dana White indulged in the idea of billing the Las Vegas Sphere as the spot for UFC 306 in an all-Mexican affair. Naturally, everyone expects Mexican fighters to headline the card on the event of Mexican Independence Day. As a part of their broadcasting grind, ESPN MMA even plans to do a documentary on it. However, Topuria has some other ideas.
Me...I'll be ready for September, [even] August, September, October...whatever. Always in shape, ready to go...ready to kill... Maybe, I think they want me to fight in the 'Sphere' in September...So, we'll see how things are gonna go...Ilia Topuria via The MMA Hour (for MMAFighting on SBN)
‘El Matador’ told The MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani of active talks with the UFC brass about defending the title in September at the ‘Sphere.’ Concurrently, bantamweight king Sean O’Malley has aspired to headline the Las Vegas Sphere card against him. With the Spaniard bagging his 145-pound title strap at Anaheim, O’Malley has resounded his ambitions yet again. He’s even willing to swerve to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to challenge Ilia Topuria on home turf.
Recent times have propelled Topuria to much popularity amongst the Spanish and Georgian crowds. While he can sell out a Fight Night event to even a numbered card at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, a UFC 306 appearance is not out of the question. However, fans aren’t settling to the Alicante-Georgian native headlining a ‘Mexican’ card; they have reacted to it as such.
Fight fans react to Ilia Topuria divulging hints of headlining Mexican Independence Day PPV Event
Ilia Topuria is a featherweight powerhouse. At 15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC, he joined a small group of fighters to bag his title gold on undefeated stats. Living up to his pre-fight predictions, he is the first one to do so at 145 pounds. His feat makes him quite popular.
His popularity is evident from honorary kick-offs at the Real Madrid vs. Sevilla game at Santiago Bernabeu and meeting Lionel Messi at the Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The Spaniard can sell out top spots attributing to his fandom. However, headlining the Mexican Independence PPV event is not it. Here’s what fans think:
Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman), Former Exec Producer of The 7 Of Clubs/Combat Sports coverage reposted it on X. A prime reaction (@RodDelCampo, Bilingual sports broadcaster for
@ClaroSports) retorted – “This would be a horrible look. Mexican fans will not appreciate a Spanish fighter headlining the Mexican Independence Day card.”
MMA is a niche sport in Spain, and Santiago Bernabeu makes sense. However, with Spain being who they got the independence from, fans have harshly termed ‘El Matador’ as ‘Conquistador‘ (conqueror) instead. They have also jibed at his profound dual citizenship for such a mix-up.
Additionally, with ESPN MMA (@espnmma) making an MMA coverage stream exclusive documentary, it would be globally dire. It remains to be seen if such an event thus gets billed, with Topuria indeed headlining UFC 306. It is safe to say that a major backlash can be expected if the UFC announces Topuria as the main event.
In case you missed it:
- Sean O’Malley teases fans with $3.2 billion Las Vegas Sphere fight for next title defense
- Dana White shuts down Eddie Hearn’s claims of hosting the first combat sports event at the Sphere
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