“It’s gonna happen in Santiago Bernabeu,” Ilia Topuria hopes to fight at the iconic Real Madrid Stadium in 2024 after title triumph at UFC 298

UFC's expansion into Spain gains momentum as Ilia Topuria discusses plans for a landmark event at Madrid's iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, signaling growth in European markets.

“It’s gonna happen in Santiago Bernabeu,” Ilia Topuria hopes to fight at the iconic Real Madrid Stadium in 2024 after title triumph at UFC 298

Ilia Topuria hopes to fight at Santiago Bernabeu (Image via: Instagram)

Ilia Topuria will fight Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 for the undisputed featherweight title. Topuria and Volkanovski have already ruffled feathers preluding their fight. Topuria has already vowed to knock out Volkanovski in multiple interviews. The Georgian fighter represents Spain inside the octagon and is very close to big names in the Spanish national football team. Football superstar, Sergio Ramos was in attendance at Topuria’s last fight; a unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmet.

Topuria recently appeared on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani where he revealed some interesting news. UFC CBO, Hunter Campbell personally went to Spain to renew his deal with the UFC. Moreover, Topuria also revealed that the UFC has plans to do an event in Spain. This is what Topuria had to say about it.

It's going to happen in 2024... When? I don't know, at the end of the year maybe. And where? I hope it's going to happen in Madrid, in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Ilia Topuria via The MMA Hour
YouTube video

The UFC is apprehensive about doing events in open stadiums. However, Topuria clarified that the Santiago Bernabeu underwent renovation and now has retractable roofs. Furthermore, he also revealed that either his potential title defense or a fight with Conor McGregor will headline the first UFC event in Spain.

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Topuria is full of confidence ahead of UFC 298. He has already begun filming his documentary dealing with his success. Topuria is among the best Georgian fighters in the UFC. At UFC 298, his countryman Merab Dvalishvili will fight Henry Cejudo.

Ilia Topuria vows to make Alexander Volkanovski look like a punching bag

Alexander Volkanovski is the former pound-for-pound king in the UFC. Many, including his upcoming opponent Ilia Topuria, consider Volkanovski one of the greatest MMA featherweights. However, that did not stop Topuria from predicting a first-round knockout finish of Volkanovski at UFC 298.

Alexander Volkanovski takes on Ilia Topuria at UFC 298
Alexander Volkanovski takes on Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 (via IMAGO)

Topuria has long predicted a first-round finish of Volkanovski and he said the same on the MMA Hour. He even went further to make a punching bag out of Volkanovski. Topuria stated that Volkanovski is too old to compete with him, who represents the next evolution of an MMA fighter.

Volkanovski is coming off a knockout loss at lightweight but he is undefeated at featherweight. On the other hand, Topuria has not fought since his victory against Josh Emmet which was on June 2023. Fans and analysts are wary of Volkanovski fighting too soon after the brutal knockout loss on October 2023. Nonetheless, Volkanvksi is a slight betting underdog at UFC 298.

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