Published 2024-02-18 07.13
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Shock win at UFC 298 last night at fourth weight.
Ilia Topuria knocked out Alex Volkanovski in the second round – and became the first ever Spanish UFC champion.
Then he sent a challenge to Conor McGregor.
– If you still have some balls, I will wait for you in Spain, he says after the victory.
Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. The former rugby player from Australia has defended the title five times previously and was champion for around 1,500 days.
Last night he was dethroned. The featherweight has a new world champion and for the first time it is a Spaniard.
Ilya “El Matador” Topuria was born in Georgia but moved to Spain at 15 and is now at the top of the world at 27.
The hyped fight was decided by knockout 3.32 into the second round after a series of perfect punches.
– I am so happy right now. I knew all along that someday I will be UFC champion, he says with a combined Spain/Georgia flag hanging around him, then addresses the crowd:
One of five champions ever
– People, it doesn’t matter where you come from. It is much more important what is in front of you than behind.
Topuria now has a match record of 15–0–0, and is thus still undefeated in the octagon in the UFC context.
With the knockout victory, the 27-year-old joins an exclusive crowd, as the fifth ever to become champion in the division. The other four are Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor.
Topuria has previously claimed that if victorious, the Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid’s home arena) and Conor McGregor are the only reasonable next steps.
– I’m waiting for you in Spain, he says after the night’s win.
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That’s how it went in the fight of the night in UFC 298 – main card
- Alexander Volkanovski-Ilia Topuria (Title match, Featherweight) Topuria won by knockout in the second round
- Robert Withaker-Paulo Costa (Middleweight) Whitaker won by decision
- Geoff Neal-Ian Machado Garry (Welterweight) Garry won by decision
- Merab Dvalishvili-Henry Cejudo (Bantamvikt) Dvalishvili won on referee’s decision
- Anthony Hernandez-Roman Kopylov (Middleweight) Hernandes won by submission in the second round
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