With a single week to go, anticipation is at a fever pitch as Ilia Topuria prepares to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight world title. This would be a landmark achievement for a Spaniard, a milestone never reached before in the sport’s history for a homegrown athlete. To ensure fans across Alicante and beyond can witness the moment, the City Council plans to install a giant screen in the Technology Center’s judo room so supporters can watch the title bout live from Las Vegas. The event is scheduled for early Sunday morning, around 6 am local time, inviting the city to share in the excitement from a communal hub. Luis Barcala conveyed the arrangement on social media, highlighting the local government’s commitment to celebrating a potential breakthrough for one of Alicante’s own in the world of MMA. This public display of enthusiasm reflects the city’s unity behind Topuria and its readiness to mark a historic night for Spanish mixed martial arts. The plan to broadcast the fight publicly has generated broad community engagement, signaling a rare moment when a city aligns its energy with a single athlete on the world stage.
This gesture captures the city’s united backing for Topuria, who has long considered Alicante home. The mayor offered personal support, and the public campaign expanded beyond the screen to billboards across the city bearing the slogan “Alicante with Ilia Topuria.” The campaign’s momentum points to the rising belief that a Spaniard could reach the pinnacle of UFC featherweight competition. As the countdown accelerates, residents sense a moment that could redefine the city’s place in the sport’s history and showcase the depth of local pride in a hometown fighter.
Ilia Topuria: “I will beat Volkanovski by knockout in the first round”
Spanish-Georgian fighter Topuria comes into the bout with an undefeated record, boasting fourteen victories without a loss. He stands opposite Volkanovski, who has held the UFC featherweight title since December 2019 and remains widely regarded as one of the division’s all-time greats. Volkanovski’s record stands at 26 wins and 3 losses, marking him as a formidable challenger who has dominated the weight class for years. The Australian champion’s ongoing tenure at the top underscores the magnitude of Topuria’s challenge and the magnitude of the moment for both fighters and their fans.
Topuria has spoken with confidence about his strategy, insisting that the fight could end in the first round. He stated that the preparation goes beyond the gym and into mental rehearsal, with a lifelong visualization of this exact moment fueling his focus. As the event nears, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimal weight and conditioning for the octagon, aiming to peak just in time for the fight. He notes that the cut will be challenging but manageable, and he remains certain of his ability to execute his game plan on fight night. The opponent, Volkanovski, has not shied away from the challenge, reminding followers that this bout will test every skill the champion has honed over his career. The clash promises a high-stakes display of technique, endurance, and strategy, with fans eager to see which fighter will prevail when the arena goes quiet before the bell and then erupts in a roar that could be felt across continents.