The UFC, which has yet to host a Pay-Per-View (PPV) or Fight Night event in Spain, is ramping up plans to bring its marquee fights to the country in 2025, propelled by the surge of Ilia Topuria in the MMA world. As Topuria continues an undefeated streak and cements his status as a two-division champion, the promotion sees an opportunity to enter a new market while spotlighting one of its brightest stars.

Topuria, known as “El Matador,” recently delivered a swift knockout over seasoned lightweight Charles Oliveira in just the opening round. His flawless 17-0 professional MMA record has garnered widespread attention, fueling calls for the UFC to finally make its Spanish debut with him as the headliner. The elevated interest follows UFC 317’s success and ongoing discussions about expanding the UFC’s global footprint to include Spain.

Ilia Topuria’s Rise and UFC Executive Endorsement for Spain Event

Topuria’s recent performances, particularly his series of knockouts in PPV title fights, underscore his rising dominance in the sport. After capturing the UFC 155-pound championship with impressive ease, analysts have positioned him as a trailblazer deserving a significant push towards international recognition. UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner explicitly supports this momentum, acknowledging Topuria’s emergence as the organization‘s new star and backing the plan to stage UFC’s inaugural Spanish card.

“Two or three years ago you never heard of Topuria, …nobody knew much about him: Now he’s a real star! It’s, it’s….[Because of him] That’s the goal to go to Spain in the next year or so, …In an arena. I don’t know if they have the right arenas there yet.” —Marc Ratner, UFC Executive

As the first undefeated two-weight UFC champion and currently ranked number one pound-for-pound, Topuria’s status has shifted UFC CEO Dana White’s outlook considerably. White has increasingly supported hosting a Fight Night or PPV event with Topuria leading the card on Spanish soil, recognizing the potential of leveraging a homegrown champion to cultivate local fan enthusiasm.

Venue Challenges and Prospects for the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Despite growing excitement around a UFC event in Spain, logistical challenges remain, chiefly concerning venue selection. Fight representative Lukasz Orzel remarked that El Clásico rivals FC Barcelona could oppose an event at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium due to potential conflicts with their scheduled matches, where crowds can exceed 80,000. The Bernabéu has garnered attention as a candidate for hosting the UFC’s Spanish debut, with Topuria himself imagining walking down its aisles toward the octagon during a recent honor serve.

“Fighting at the Bernabéu? We will do it, in the first quarter of next year we will surely do the UFC in Spain and it will be at the Santiago Bernabéu. When I was there to do the serve of honor, I visualized my walk to the octagon.” —Ilia Topuria, UFC Fighter

However, UFC CEO Dana White has indicated that the Santiago Bernabéu might not be the ideal choice. Being an open-air stadium, it poses challenges for securing a weather-proof event experience, as UFC’s regulatory and media teams typically insist on fully enclosed arenas. Additionally, the scheduling conflicts with major football events at this stadium complicate planning. Because of these issues, UFC executives have been exploring smaller, covered arenas within Spain that can accommodate the event’s technical requirements while maintaining a high-quality fan environment.

UFC’s Global Expansion and Strategy Amid PPV Market Shifts

The UFC’s interest in Spain aligns with a broader internationalization strategy designed to diversify markets beyond North America. While the promotion operates over 40 annual events—ranging from PPVs to Fight Nights—the intense schedule poses challenges in maintaining fan engagement and fighter quality. Commentator Jon Anik has noted that such a relentless pace may dilute interest, suggesting a possible reduction in show frequency to enhance fight cards’ depth and viewer experience.

“I certainly think that if somehow there were a world in which we weren’t serving a million masters…and we could shave the schedule down from, say, 40 live events to 30 and add that depth to the fight cards, I think that would be something that would be of value, …I do think we ask a lot of our fans for seven, eight hours a night, 41 Saturday nights a year, so I think making the live events a little bit more ingestible [is good].” —Jon Anik, UFC Play-By-Play Commentator

Similarly, UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings faces financial pressures, having reported a significant net loss in the first quarter of 2024 amid ongoing litigation related to anti-competitive conduct settlements. CFO Andrew Schleimer explained that thematic PPV offerings are likely to become one-off events rather than consistent staples, influencing how the UFC programs future fight cards. This fiscal reality reinforces a strategic pivot toward more focused, high-quality events in key global markets like Spain.

Significance of a UFC Spain Event Headlined by Ilia Topuria

Launching a major UFC event in Spain led by Ilia Topuria represents a convergence of factors: a rising star’s career trajectory, a growing international audience, and the UFC’s desire to strengthen its global footprint. Beyond commercial interests, staging the event in Spain will cater to fervent regional fans and enhance local MMA visibility, potentially inspiring a new generation of athletes from the country and surrounding regions.

While operational details such as venue finalization remain under negotiation and the timeline may adjust depending on arena availability, UFC executives and stakeholders remain optimistic that Spain will join the list of countries hosting a marquee UFC presence by late 2025 or early 2026. This move would mark a significant milestone for the sport’s global expansion and for Ilia Topuria’s career as a flagship champion carrying the brand into fresh territory.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?

A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a professional mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Currently, he holds the title of UFC Lightweight Champion.