Dana White, UFC president and CEO, expressed optimism about the future of the promotion in Spain following Ilia Topuria’s impressive victory over former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 during International Fight Week. Topuria secured the UFC Lightweight Title by knocking out Oliveira in the first round, sparking discussion about leveraging the fighter’s Spanish roots to host an event in the country.

During a press conference, White acknowledged the long-standing ambition to expand UFC’s presence in Southern Europe and affirmed the organization’s intent to hold an event in Spain. “It is the goal,” White said when asked about the possibility, emphasizing that the promotion has been trying to enter the Spanish market for some time without success.

When pressed further about guaranteeing a Spanish event, White reaffirmed,

“Yeah, I promise I’m going everywhere. I was just in Azerbaijan, Baku. Yes, we’re definitely going to Spain, it’s just a matter of when.”

Challenges Delaying UFC’s Arrival in Spain Despite Growing Interest

Although UFC aims to showcase events in major Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona, logistical challenges have hindered these plans. The demand for arenas in Spain is high, resulting in scheduling delays and limited availability at top venues. White has also made it clear that the UFC prefers not to hold events in large stadiums, which effectively rules out iconic locations such as the Santiago Bernabeu.

Topuria’s rise as a two-division champion and his unbeaten 17-0 record have only intensified pressure for the UFC to bring the sport to his two homelands—Spain and Georgia. Since his featherweight win over Alexander Volkanovski, UFC officials have expressed mounting interest in exploiting his star power to boost UFC’s visibility in Spain, though the timing remains uncertain due to venue issues.

Future Title Defenses and Event Locations Remain Uncertain

Topuria’s first title defense at lightweight may potentially take place in Spain, but this depends on several factors, including his next opponent and the availability of approved arenas. Despite anticipation, it appears unlikely that Spain will host a UFC pay-per-view event before the end of 2025. The UFC’s upcoming schedule includes five remaining pay-per-view cards, with four locations confirmed: two in Las Vegas, one in Abu Dhabi, and one in New York City, leaving only one event slot potentially available in Europe.

Meanwhile, Georgia could be prioritized over Spain due to the UFC’s growing focus on fighters from the Caucasus region. Besides Topuria, other prominent Georgian fighters such as Merab Dvalishvili, Roman Dolidze, and Giga Chikadze have helped increase the country’s profile in mixed martial arts, making it a strong contender for future UFC events.

UFC’s Global Expansion Ambitions Amid Ongoing Venue Constraints

The UFC appears to be waiting for an opportune moment to launch its Spain debut, navigating around logistical constraints and strategic scheduling. Dana White’s commitment to bringing the UFC to new and diverse global markets signals the promotion’s ambition to grow internationally, even as they face operational hurdles in key markets like Spain.

The significance of a UFC event in Spain lies not only in the potential to capitalize on Topuria’s star power but also in the broader expansion of MMA into Southern Europe. Fans and fighters alike anticipate the UFC’s arrival, hopeful that overcoming current obstacles will pave the way for future landmark events across the Mediterranean region.