Within 10 minutes of starting the fight, Ilia Topuria’s entire family – his father, his mother, his wife, his son… – and all his friends from Alicante were already in the octagon celebrating the victory, a historic triumph. Facing off against the undefeated featherweight champion since 2019, Alexander Volkanovski of Australia, Topuria delivered the performance of a lifetime: a direct blow to his opponent’s face, resulting in an immediate knockout.

The knockout occurred at 3 minutes and 32 seconds into the second round, just as the fight was unfolding. With this victory, Topuria seized the belt from Volkanovski, becoming the first Spanish UFC champion at the age of 27. The audience at the Honda Center in Anaheim, near Los Angeles, initially showed their support for the Australian but were left stunned, with thousands of fans in disbelief, their hands on their heads.

Commanding the Spanish language

“It’s time to bring the UFC to Spain. Conor McGregor, if you still have the guts, I’ll be waiting for you in Spain,” proclaimed Topuria as he exited the cage, almost as unscathed as when he entered. He only bore a cut on the upper part of his nose, the result of a blow from Volkanovski’s left hand in the first round. It was the only hit he received throughout the fight.

From the moment Bruce Buffer, the UFC announcer, shouted “It’s time” and the bell rang, Topuria maintained control over the fight. He displayed his tactical prowess and studious approach, opting for a striking battle instead of resorting to his expertise in Greco-Roman wrestling and jiu-jitsu, which would have been expected. Volkanovski appeared surprised.

While Topuria dominated the center of the octagon, the Australian circled around him, relying only on low kicks. The outcome was predetermined in that scenario: seizing an opportunity during a flurry, Topuria capitalized on Volkanovski’s lowered defense, resulting in a devastating blow. There was no room for anything else. The undefeated champion, who held the belt for the past five years, succumbed to the point of near unconsciousness.

Musical triumph

“They will tell you that you can’t, they will tell you that you are not capable, but the only person you should believe in is yourself. Look at me, look at me now. I have worked so hard to get here…” commented Topuria in a rare moment of vulnerability and genuine emotion after the fight. He quickly regained his composure and posed for photos with the championship belt.

In many ways, attitude is one of his weapons. Facing off against nearly 20,000 spectators, including Mark Zuckerberg who was rooting for Volkanovski, the Spaniard entered the octagon with confidence, singing his entrance song – Antonio Banderas’ mariachi song from Desperado. This is how he emerged victorious. Spain now boasts a UFC champion, and it’s a title they will hold for many years to come.