Dana White, president and CEO of the UFC, was understandably in good spirits following what was arguably the best fight card of the year in UFC 317 on International Fight Week.
During his press conference, White was asked repeatedly about how Ilia Topuria, who knocked former champion, Charles Oliveira, in the first round of last night’s main event to win the UFC Lightweight Title, if he would use the Spaniard’s star-power to take a card to his homeland.
And, eventually, White gave his word that he would go to Spain – noting that it was a matter of when, not if.
“It is the goal,” the UFC CEO said in response to a question asking if the promotion would head to Southern Europe, “we’ve been trying to get into Spain for a while here. But hopefully that’s what I want to do and we’ll see if we can get it done…we’ll see what’s available and let’s see what we can figure out.”
When subsequently questioned as to whether White would give his word that the UFC would land in Spain, the 55-year old responded, “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.”
UFC ‘Definitely Going To Spain’ In The Future
The UFC has had its fair share of problems heading to one of the sporting capitals of the Mediterranean – if not the world – in Spain.
Now that he is a two-division champion and remains unbeaten at 17-0, the pressure and desire to head to one of his two homelands, along with Georgia, will be even greater.
The promotion has long wanted to go to Madrid or Barcelona, certainly ever since Topuria upended former UFC Featherweight Champion, Alexander Volkanovski, to become the champion at 145 lbs.
However, prolonged waiting times for arenas have seen a large backlog at the biggest indoor venues in the country – and Dana White has been ardent about not taking the UFC to stadiums, likely ruling out a trip to one of the most famous stadiums in the world, the Santiago Bernabeu.
Could Ilia Topuria’s First 155 LB Title Defense Be In Spain?
Possibly, although much of that will depend both on when he fights next, who he is fighting against and the availability of the arenas approved by the UFC.
It is unlikely that the UFC would manage to pull off a Spain trip by the end of 2025, with their set to be five pay-per-view cards left, two of which will be in Vegas, one in Abu Dhabi and one in New York City – leaving just one unaccounted for slot to head to Europe.
Indeed, it is quite possible that Georgia could leapfrog Spain in the PPV line, as both Topuria – through his heritage – and UFC Bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvilli, herald from the Caucasus nation, alongside fellow well-known fighters, Roman Dolidze and Giga Chikadze.
It feels like the UFC is biding their time and looking for the next opening to fight in Spain, and it does seem that Dana White truly wants to take the sport across the entire globe.
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