UFC star Ilia Topuria could bring the organisation to Spain if he secures himself a top five ranking by beating Josh Emmett.
Topuria, 26, looks to keep his unbeaten record intact when he takes on former interim title challenger Emmett in the main event of UFC Jacksonville this Saturday. 'El Matador' is currently on a four-fight winning streak with all of those wins coming by stoppage, the latest being a second-round submission against Bryce Mitchell last December.
Since signing with the UFC in 2020, it's been a goal of Topuria's to bring the UFC to Spain as the promotion is yet to host an event in the country. Topuria revealed that UFC boss Dana White has promised him they will hold an event in Spain if he can break into the top five at featherweight.
"Exactly one year ago I had a meeting in Las Vegas with Dana White and Hunter [Campbell]. Dana told me that once I put myself into the top five, I am going to take the UFC into Spain. So now I am going to do my work and put myself into the top five and let's see if Dana is a man of his word," Topuria told Mirror Fighting.
"I feel like they are going to sell out the arena in one day, that's what I think. Once they are going to make the announcement about the UFC being in Spain with a date and everything, they will no doubt sell it out. MMA is growing a lot in Spain, I know that one day the UFC will take place here and that's going to be my day with my crowd.
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Emmett currently holds the number five spot at 145lb whilst Topuria sits at number nine in the division's rankings. With featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski running out of challengers for his belt, Topuria feels a win against Emmett would guarantee him a title shot.
"It's going to be a masterpiece against Josh," he added. "But it will be fast as I am going to finish it in the first round. I am going to do a lot of new things in that cage and I know that people are going to enjoy my performance. After I knock [Emmett] out, I am the next guy in line there is no doubt. Who else is there? I don't think so, I know it's going to happen."
