Ilia Topuria, fresh off a swift knockout victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, is pushing for a landmark event in his native Spain. He hopes to stage a highly anticipated UFC match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, aiming to make the fight against Paddy Pimblett a historic homecoming battle.

Topuria’s recent knockout streak fuels call for Spain event

Since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024, Topuria has built momentum with impressive knockouts against Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, solidifying his standing within the UFC. The idea of a fight at the massive 85,000-seat Santiago Bernabeu Stadium has been a focus for him ever since his victory over Volkanovski. Now, his eyes are set on a clash with long-time rival Paddy Pimblett in front of Spanish fans.

Talking about Pimblett following his win at UFC 317, Topuria expressed enthusiasm:

“Yes, that’s the fight that I want,”

he said during the post-fight press conference. He noted the difference in mindset compared to his recent fight with Oliveira, stating,

“At the end I was like, ‘This is competition. I have to do my job, and that’s it.’ But with Paddy, I’m really gonna enjoy kicking his ass.”

Challenges and hopes for a prime-time Spain showdown

While Topuria is eager to return to Spain, recent discussions with the UFC revealed difficulties in scheduling a fight there. The company suggested potential match times as early as 4 a.m. local, similar to UFC 304 in Manchester, which would be inconvenient for fans and fighters alike. Faced with this, Topuria indicated that he would prefer to fight Pimblett in the U.S. rather than compromise the fan experience.

However, the confidence gained from his latest win seems to have strengthened Topuria’s demands for a Spanish venue. He invited the press warmly,

“I want to take you to Spain for that fight in the stadium, in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,”

adding,

“The whole week, you will enjoy it. Nice food, everything. You are gonna love it. I wanna take you guys to Spain.”

Scaling up the vision: a Champions League-level event

Topuria shared more detailed ambitions with Spanish media, predicting the scale and atmosphere would be on par with major sporting events.

“It is inevitable that Spain is going to happen,”

he said through a translator.

“Yes. It’ll be great to be in the Santiago Bernabeu against Paddy Pimblett. And we’re talking about Champions League finals level. Think about Spain, Georgia, all the British people coming over. And as far as this being the greatest fight ever? I don’t wanna diminish the importance of so many great fights that have been around the block. But it would be an amazing fight.”

The stadium, famous for hosting Real Madrid and its passionate home crowd, has already seen Topuria celebrate in front of 85,000 fans earlier this year. This momentum highlights the potential for an unforgettable event that could raise the UFC’s profile significantly in Spain and across Europe.

UFC’s challenges with Spain and Topuria’s readiness to return

Despite Topuria’s enthusiasm, UFC CEO Dana White has indicated the organization faces logistical obstacles when planning events in Spain. However, the fight with Pimblett could happen soon even if not on Spanish soil. Topuria conveyed his preparedness for a quick turnaround, stating,

“I could be ready by the end of the year if they want me,”

and further emphasized,

“If I get the call from the UFC and they want me to get back in the octagon by the end of the year, I will be ready.”

The promise of this fight, whether in Madrid or elsewhere, signals growing excitement around Topuria’s rising star and the broader ambition to expand the UFC’s footprint in Europe. Fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely to see when and where this highly anticipated rivalry will come to fruition.