Conor McGregor shares theory on why Ilia Topuria won't headline Spanish UFC stadium show in 2025

01/10/2025 06:57 AM

Since winning the UFC featherweight title at UFC 298, Ilia Topuria has continuously expressed his desire to headline a stadium show in Spain.

The Spanish-Georgian has quickly became one of the biggest stars in the sport after knocking out two of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.

And with that, Ilia Topuria believes he could sell out a stadium in Spain, in what would be the promotion’s first ever time landing in the Mediterranean country.

Conor McGregor doubts Topuria’s ability to sell out a stadium show

UFC CEO, Dana White, has continuously stated that he is planning for the promotion to hold an event in Spain, however, they have constantly ran into issues with booking arenas.

‘El Matador’ offered up the solution by stating that his dream is to fight at the Santiago Bernabeu, the home stadium of one of the biggest soccer teams in the world, Real Madrid, the team Topuria supports.

The stadium recently under went regeneration and it holds over 78,000 people, making it one of the biggest stadiums in Europe.

White has always had reservations when it comes to hosting stadium shows as there are many variables that you have to take into considering, such as the weather. Despite that, the promotion has hosted stadium shows before, with UFC 243 being the last, when Israel Adesanya knocked out Robert Whittaker in the Marvel Stadium.

Although the 27-year-old champion is adamant he could sell out the Bernabeu, the promotion’s biggest star, Conor McGregor has his doubts.

Topuria’s manager recently revealed that UFC Spain is looking increasingly unlikely because of the UFC not wanting to host a stadium show and the arenas in Madrid both being fully booked.

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“He wouldn’t sell it also. No chance,” McGregor responded in a now-deleted tweet on X.

Topuria and McGregor have an ongoing feud brewing online as ‘The Notorious’ claimed he would ‘slap’ the Spaniard last year. Topuria has since said that when he first met McGregor, he felt like his ‘aura came from hell’.

Ilia Topuria’s targeted return date revealed by head coach

Following his emphatic win over ‘Blessed’ Holloway this past October, the 27-year-old faced off with former foe, Volkanovski, indicating a rematch between the two.

Despite that, Topuria later went on to claim that he will move up to lightweight for his next fight as he is targeting a super fight against Islam Makhachev. ‘El Matador’ even teased at a potential fight against former champ, Charles Oliveira.

The Spaniard then seemingly changed his mind and vowed that he will not vacate his 145lb title and will defend it once again before once again considering a move up to lightweight.

And with that, his head coach Jorge Climent has claimed that Topuria is returning to the Octagon in May with the promotion targeting the rematch between him and Alexander ‘The Great’.

Volkanovski hasn’t fought since being KO’d by Topuria last February, despite having being called out by the soaring Diego Lopes.