As Barcelona thrashed Actual Madrid on Saturday, there was a Spaniard in Abu Dhabi ensuring soccer’s El Clasico would not dominate each headline in Spain the next morning.
Not solely did Ilia Topuria beat Max Holloway to retain his featherweight title at UFC 308, he inflicted the primary knockout defeat of the American’s glittering profession.
The 27-year-old’s devastating efficiency and first defence of his belt means he can be celebrated in Spain, and never for the primary time.
After dethroning Alexander Volkanovski in February to turn into Spain’s first UFC champion, Topuria appeared on the entrance web page of Spanish publication Marca – a uncommon feat for an MMA fighter in a rustic the place soccer dominates the sporting agenda.
Topuria, who additionally represents Georgia after being born to Georgian dad and mom, then met Spain’s president Pedro Sanchez, who granted him Spanish citizenship, external for his achievements.
And later, Topuria, an enormous Actual Madrid fan, was paraded on the membership’s Bernabeu stadium earlier than a recreation in entrance of 75,000 followers.
When Actual spend mega cash on world-class footballers they’re dubbed as ‘Galacticos’.
Does the UFC have a Galactico of their very own in Topuria?
“Topuria did one thing no one has ever accomplished earlier than. He is legit. For those who questioned the man after Volk, you’ll be able to’t query him now,” mentioned UFC president Dana White.
“While you maintain clipping legends you turn into a legend, he is on the appropriate path.”
