UFC champion Ilia Topuria meets Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who promises Spanish citizenship
Ilia Topuria is having one hell of a month.
“El Matador” won the UFC featherweight championship by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski two Saturdays ago, then did the honorary kickoff for the Real Madrid vs. Sevilla game the following week at the Santiago Bernabéu, and now he’s met with Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Topuria met with Sanchez on Tuesday and brought the UFC belt with him. Sanchez posted a video on his social media accounts congratulating Topuria on becoming UFC champion and also promised that he will soon get his Spanish citizenship.
“Your effort, dedication, perseverance have made you achieve your dream,” Sanchez wrote on X. “The second one will soon become a reality. Your love for Spain will be reflected on your Spanish National identity document [which is awarded to Spanish citizens].”
Esta mañana he recibido a @Topuriailia, el nuevo campeón mundial de peso pluma de la @ufc.
Tu esfuerzo, dedicación y perseverancia te han llevado a cumplir uno de tus sueños.
El segundo también se hará muy pronto realidad. Tu amor por España se reflejará en tu DNI español. pic.twitter.com/weeTTnCewd
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 27, 2024
Topuria, 27, was born in Germany to Georgian parents but has lived in Spain since his mid-teens. There, Topuria began training MMA at Climent Club in Alicante under the Climent brothers, where he began his amateur and then eventual professional career. Topuria currently resides in Alicante with his family.
Topuria won the UFC featherweight title on Feb. 17 in the main event of UFC 298. Topuria became the first person to defeat Volkanovski at 145 pounds, all while keeping his undefeated record intact.
Although not official, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed interest in having Topuria’s first title defense in Spain, which would be a first for the promotion.