Dana White, the president of the UFC, recently shed light on the difficulties of organizing a fight for featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in Spain. Despite Topuria’s impressive victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 and his desire to defend his title in his home country, logistical challenges have made this difficult to achieve.
Why Won’t Ilia Topuria Fight in Spain?
According to White, the primary obstacle is the availability of suitable venues in Spain. The country is experiencing a backlog of events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it challenging to secure a venue for a UFC event. White mentioned that Spain’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium would be an ideal location, but finding an open slot has proven trick.
Dana White Reveals His Plans To Expand UFC
In addition to discussing the challenges in Spain, White revealed that the UFC is actively working on organizing its first event in Africa. He emphasized the importance of hosting events across the continent, not just in South Africa. This initiative aligns with the UFC’s broader goal of expanding its global footprint and bringing high-level MMA events to new regions.
While the dream of a Spanish title defense remains on hold, Ilia Topuria is expected to defend his belt against Max Holloway in the near future. Fans can look forward to seeing ‘El Matador’ in action, even if it isn’t in Spain just yet. White’s comments highlight the UFC’s commitment to overcoming logistical challenges and expanding its reach to new markets. As the organization continues to grow, fans can expect more exciting developments and events in diverse locations around the world.
SHARE
