What for years seemed like a distant dream for Spanish mixed martial arts fans is now becoming a tangible reality. Dana White, president of the UFC and one of the most influential figures in the sport, has announced that the organization already has its team preparing what would be the company’s first official event in Spain. The decision comes at a time when the Spanish MMA scene is experiencing its biggest growth in history, driven largely by the meteoric rise of Ilia Topuria.
Topuria, who for months has insisted that he would bring a UFC event to Spain, strengthened his credibility after his dominant victory over Josh Emmett in Jacksonville. That win, regarded as one of the best of his career, reaffirmed his status as a legitimate featherweight title contender and made it clear that his impact goes beyond the sport itself: he is pushing an entire industry to open its doors to a new market.
The importance of the Spanish-Georgian fighter in the current landscape cannot be underestimated. Late last year, he had already made a statement by submitting Bryce Mitchell in the second round, a performance that launched him into mainstream attention. But his starring role was cemented in his first main event, where he dominated Emmett one of the toughest and most seasoned names in the division from start to finish. That performance catapulted him to number five in the rankings and sparked interest from major figures such as Yair Rodríguez and current champion Alexander Volkanovski. He has even left the door open to a potential showdown with former champion Max Holloway, as long as it could take place in Spain something that would greatly strengthen his connection with the national audience.
In a recent press conference, Dana White was blunt when asked about Topuria’s future and the possibility of bringing the UFC to Spain. “I had never considered holding an event there, but now I have my team working to make it happen. It’s very close,” he said. His words have generated huge anticipation both inside and outside the country, as it would mark the arrival of the world’s biggest MMA organization to a territory where the sport is experiencing unprecedented growth.
Adding to this promising landscape is the highly anticipated return of Joel Álvarez, one of Spain’s most talented prospects, who is coming back after recovering from an injury that kept him sidelined. Also noteworthy is the debut of Valencia’s Daniel Bárez, who recently joined the UFC roster and will compete in the July 22 event in London. Both fighters represent the expansion of Spanish talent within the organization and reinforce the idea that Spain is producing increasingly competitive and visible athletes on the international stage.
The UFC’s interest in Spain is no coincidence: the sport’s growth in the country is evident. Broadcasts are gaining viewers, mixed martial arts gyms are multiplying, and new generations of fighters are training with a real aspiration to reach the elite. The potential organization of a UFC event on Spanish soil would be not only a recognition of this progress but also a boost that could change the future of MMA in Spain forever.
With Ilia Topuria now a symbol and ambassador of the sport, the UFC is closer than ever to raising an octagon in Spain. If the promise is fulfilled, Spanish fans could witness a historic moment that marks a before and after in the growth of the sport in the country. And all signs indicate that this moment is getting closer.
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