Ilia Topuria Honored at Real Madrid Stadium Following UFC Featherweight Title Win

Ilia Topuria's victory over Alexander Volkanovski last week at UFC 298 not only secured him the UFC featherweight championship but also sparked celebrations in both Georgia and Spain, where Topuria has deep roots. Born to Georgian parents, Topuria spent his youth in Georgia before moving to Spain as a teenager.

Topuria's triumph had a profound impact on his supporters, and a week after his title win, he made his first public appearance as the new featherweight champion. Topuria was honored at the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on Sunday during a match between Real Madrid and Sevilla. Real Madrid, known for its global sporting prowess, welcomed Topuria in front of a crowd of 74,969 fans, who enthusiastically celebrated his achievement.

During the event, Topuria had the opportunity to meet with some of the athletes, including Spanish football legend Sergio Ramos, who had previously witnessed Topuria's victory over Josh Emmett in Jacksonville last June.

Following his win over Volkanovski, UFC CEO Dana White expressed interest in having Topuria fight in Spain, preferably in a stadium like the Bernabéu. The UFC has not hosted a stadium event since UFC 243 in October 2019.

Topuria's victory over Volkanovski improved his undefeated professional MMA record to 15-0, with a perfect 7-0 record in the Octagon. His recent performances have consistently earned him performance bonuses or Fight of the Night honors.

With Topuria's rising stardom, particularly in Spain, and the potential for a significant event in Madrid, it seems likely that the Octagon could soon make its way to the Spanish capital.