UFC featherweight champion Ilya Topria recently had the opportunity to spend time with perhaps the most iconic player in soccer history.
“El Matador” defeated longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 298 to win the UFC featherweight title. And just weeks after his victory, the 27-year-old appeared at a soccer venue with a new belt. The match between Real Madrid and Sevilla took place in his home country of Spain.
The sensational applause from the crowd at Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was a big moment for Topuria, and last weekend the UFC champion also got to meet soccer legend Lionel Messi during a trip to Miami.
Considered by some to be the greatest footballer of all time, Messi has amassed incredible achievements during his long career at Barcelona, playing for two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain in France, and making headlines last year. He joined Inter Miami of Major League Soccer with much fanfare. .
While Messi is currently in the twilight of his legendary career, Topuria is just beginning to establish himself as one of the UFC's biggest stars, with Chelsea midfielder and Messi's Argentina teammate Enzo Fernandes on Instagram According to his comments, he is already having a big impact outside of the game. .
Fans are still waiting for news on when Topuria will return to the cage for his first title defense, and “El Matador's” list of potential opponents includes top UFC featherweights, bantamweight champion and fellow UFC fighter. Star Sean O is also included. “Marie.
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