Conor McGregor is currently on an involuntary hiatus, despite desperately wanting to make a comeback. His situation seems to be so complicated that his rival Nate Diaz recently stepped in and demanded the Irishman be given a fight. Now, a third UFC star has entered the fray (to be fair, he has been in the background all this while) and called for a McGregor fight.

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has been vocal about facing McGregor and finishing him once and for all. In his latest escapade, Topuria stated the reason why he is so hell-bent on having a bout with the former dual-weight champion. Let’s dive into this.

Ilia Topuria explains the reasons why he wants to face Conor McGregor

Ilia Topuria, ahead of his clash against Alexander Volkanovski, told Daniel Cormier that he would like to fight McGregor in Real Madrid’s home stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu. “If it was my decision, I’d fight Conor McGregor. That would be the fight I’d aim for, and that’s what I aim for” said Topuria.

After defeating Volkanovski via a spectacular knockout in the second round at UFC 298 last month, ‘El Matador’ at the presser stated that Conor McGregor represented the last chapter of his fight and it seems like Topuria is standing by his words. In a recent conversation with the Spanish media, Topuria gave a reason for his demand to fight ‘Mystic Mac’.

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“First and foremost, in terms of making our sport known, he is the perfect character. My goal right now is to expand the sport as much as I can, and the more people know about it, the better it is. It is the work that I want to do, precisely for the new generation, for myself, and for the sport which is what I do—the passion and the love I have for it,” said Topuria. He further added, “Two, because he represents a chapter in MMA, and I believe that it is time for that chapter of that season to close and a new one to begin. I don’t think that fighting with him, beating him, would be like leaving him in the season behind.” 

Topuria’s statement came at the right moment when Nate Diaz has given a statement in favor of McGregor and against Dana White. “This was me for years before Conor even got here they want u to die before u get out these contracts it’s up to u to make something pop no one gonna help you but you Free Conor it’s at pattys day in this b*tch,” wrote Diaz in a recent X post.

These statements come after ‘The Notorious’ has been lamenting the lack of effort in getting a fight date fixed. Rumors are the UFC wants to tie him down to a new contract before he completes the remaining two fights on his current deal and potentially walks away from the promotion for more lucrative options.

Regardless, Topuria’s insistence on fighting McGregor highlights the former double champion’s unwavering star power in the sport. ‘El Matador’ is ready to face his prospective opponent and is waiting for them in Spain, but is the UFC ready to have an event in Spain? Let’s find out.

Talks are underway for an epic UFC event in Spain, per Topuria

After winning his championship belt, Topuria demanded one simple thing from Dana White: an event back in Spain, specifically at Real Madrid’s home ground. At the UFC 298, post-fight presser, White explained that the UFC could entertain having an event in the European nation and asked the MMA community to wait for further clarification. Now, Topuria has dropped a big hint regarding the same.

In the same conversation with the Spanish Media, Topuria spilled the tea about a potential UFC event in Spain. He said, “We have a meeting at noon to carry out the entire UFC Spain project. It is a fairly complex project, but steps are being taken. If it is going to be Conor, I don’t know. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. And if it’s not him, I’ll fight someone else and I think that Conor will already be in the season behind.” ‘El Matador’ further explained that they should count the days from summer.

The featherweight champion appears willing to defend his title in his homeland, but only time holds the answer as to who his opponent will be. Will it be Volkanovski or will it be McGregor? What’s your take on this? State your reasons in the comments below.

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