After UFC 308, where Ilia Topuria finished Max Holloway, who has never been knocked out before, reactions from locals were positive. The fight, which took place on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi marked a massive moment not only in Topuria’s career but also in UFC history, as fans saw the rise of a new superstar who took out two of the best fighters in featherweight division history in a single year.
Toni Soldado, a 21-year-old student at CEU University has been following Topuria’s career closely. His eyes lit up as he described the fight.
“Oh my god, what a fight,” Soldado said. “Ilia Topuria absolutely dismantled Max. He will definitely be the greatest of all time in his weight class. He just took control. Those punches were unreal, and the way he finished it — wow! He’s going to bring a lot of attention to our fighters.”
Santi Martinez, a 27-year-old graphic designer and longtime UFC fan, noted the importance of this victory for Spanish fighters.
“Ilia absolutely dominated Max Holloway,” Martinez said. “The next title defense should definitely be in Madrid. This isn’t just a win; it’s a moment for Spanish MMA history. Max Holloway is a legend, and for Topuria to beat him like that is incredible.”
Martinez also believes that Topuria’s success will inspire a new generation of fighters in Spain.
“I think this fight could really change the landscape of MMA here,” Martinez said. “Young kids will see what Topuria has done and think, ‘I can do that too.’ It’s a huge motivation.”
American tourist Jay Mings, who was visiting Madrid for a week and had watched the fight in a local bar, was shocked with how the fight ended.
“I never expected Max Holloway, a guy who has never been knocked out in his career, to lose by knockout,” Mings said. “People were on the edge of their seats. Ilia Topuria is the truth; he does whatever he says before the fights. It’s incredible to witness this level of skill.”
Sofia Garcia, a 29-year-old nurse from Madrid, values how athletics can unite people.
“I watched the fight with my friends, and we were all screaming,” Garcia said. “Ilia’s performance was just unreal. It’s so surprising to see a fighter representing Spain taking on the best in the world. This is just the beginning for him. I can’t wait to see what he does next.”
Carlos Mendoza, a local supporter of Real Madrid, said Topuria’s victory was “like a little boost” after an uninspiring performance by Real Madrid.
“What Topuria did was something special,” Mendoza said. “The whole house was packed with fans watching the El Clasico and the fight that was on at the same time. People were cheering and celebrating, even though Madrid was losing 4-0 around the same time.”
The result of Topuria’s fight and the fashion in which he won also sparked new thoughts for the future of MMA in Spain. Many fans hope that Topuria’s success will lead to more events being held in Madrid and greater support for local fighters.
“This win could open doors for more promotions to come here. Spain has so much talent, and we need to showcase it,” said Martinez.
