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Ilia Topuria Eyes Santiago Bernabeu Showdown With Paddy Pimblett For UFC Homecoming In Madrid 464i1n

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By
Paul Kelly
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Paul Kelly Sports Editor

Having worked in the sports journalism and sports betting writing industry for several years now, Paul has gained vital skill, knowledge and expertise in a variety of different sports and industries. Paul is confident and competent at writing in-depth stories, features and betting predictions on a regular basis for SportsCasting. Having worked in the sports media industry ever since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in 2020, where he attained a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Journalism, Paul has jumped at the opportunity to attend numerous live sporting events on a regular basis. This includes working at some high calibre boxing, darts, UFC and football events over the years. Paul has covered a whole host of sports for BBC Sport, as well as being a consistent and regular contributor at ESBR Boxing for several years before becoming a Director in March 2024. Paul’s expertise lies in a wide range of sports, but he is particularly specialised in boxing, MMA, golf, football, darts and horse racing. He is also well-rounded in various sports which he may be less familiar with. Working in sports he is less familiar with helps him learn new skills, as well as nurturing the ability to adapt and overcome potential obstacles. Being a sports fanatic, Paul relishes the opportunity at taking on new challenges and is happy to try his hand at anything. During his time studying at university, Paul had the opportunity to gain some vital work experience at both Everton Football Club and BBC Radio 1. This has helped Paul master his knowledge of sports writing, as well as learning new skills with competence and proficiency.

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Published17 Apr 2025

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Former UFC featherweight champion and 16-0 MMA star Ilia Topuria had revealed on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that he wants to fight Paddy Pimblett in his UFC homecoming at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.

Ilia Topuria Eyes Santiago Bernabeu Showdown With Paddy Pimblett z2j58

Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in the UFC right now. After beating Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway back-to-back via knockout in his two UFC Featherweight Title fights, Topuria has the MMA world at his feet right now.

After knocking out Holloway last time out, ‘El Matador’ officially relinquished his 145-pound belt as he confirmed he would be moving up to lightweight for his next challenge.

Since this announcement, Volkanovski has won back the UFC Featherweight Title with his win against Diego Lopes in the UFC 314 main event.

Topuria on the other hand hasn’t fought since UFC 308 back in October 2024. His 155-pound debut in the UFC is yet to be confirmed, as he eyes an immediate title shot against Islam Makhachev.

However, there are plenty of other fights out there that appeal to ‘El Matador’. One of them is a lightweight showdown with Paddy Pimblett, who has shot up to #8 in the official UFC Lightweight Rankings.

This comes after his Round 3 knockout over Michael Chandler in the UFC 314 co-main event, with ‘The Baddy’ too closing in on a UFC Lightweight Title shot at some stage in 2026.

Following Pimblett’s recent win at UFC 314, Ilia Topuria revealed on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that he would love to fight Pimblett at the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid FC, in his UFC homecoming in Spain.

The 28-year-old has itted that the Paddy Pimblett fight excites him the most for a homecoming at the famous Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.

When Could Topuria vs Pimblett Happen At The Bernabeu? 4z5u3e

Although Ilia Topuria has revealed his dream homecoming fight at the Bernabeu would be against Paddy Pimblett, the likelihood of this fight happening anytime soon is slim.

UFC President Dana White wouldn’t just bring a pay-per-view event to the Bernabeu without ‘El Matador’ competing for the UFC Lightweight Title.

There is of course a possibility that Topuria could fight Islam Makhachev next and perhaps even win the 155-pound belt, which he would in turn look to defend, possibly in his home country.

Dana White has talked about the possibility of bringing  a UFC event to the Bernabeu in the future. Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett could be the perfect fight for that event, but it won’t happen for at least another year.

The earliest Topuria vs Pimblett at the home of Real Madrid could happen would realistically be the back end of 2026. But even at that, summer of 2027 is perhaps more likely.

Although there is a slim chance that the undefeated 16-0 UFC star fights at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium anytime soon, there is most definitely a chance it will happen in the future.

Be sure to claim the various UFC betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of Ilia Topuria’s next fight.

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Author photo
Paul Kelly
Sports Editor

Having worked in the sports journalism and sports betting writing industry for several years now, Paul has gained vital skill, knowledge and expertise in a variety of different sports and industries. Paul is confident and competent at writing in-depth stories, features and betting predictions on a regular basis for SportsCasting. Having worked in the sports media industry ever since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in 2020, where he attained a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Journalism, Paul has jumped at the opportunity to attend numerous live sporting events on a regular basis. This includes working at some high calibre boxing, darts, UFC and football events over the years. Paul has covered a whole host of sports for BBC Sport, as well as being a consistent and regular contributor at ESBR Boxing for several years before becoming a Director in March 2024. Paul’s expertise lies in a wide range of sports, but he is particularly specialised in boxing, MMA, golf, football, darts and horse racing. He is also well-rounded in various sports which he may be less familiar with. Working in sports he is less familiar with helps him learn new skills, as well as nurturing the ability to adapt and overcome potential obstacles. Being a sports fanatic, Paul relishes the opportunity at taking on new challenges and is happy to try his hand at anything. During his time studying at university, Paul had the opportunity to gain some vital work experience at both Everton Football Club and BBC Radio 1. This has helped Paul master his knowledge of sports writing, as well as learning new skills with competence and proficiency.

Get to know Paul Kelly better
Author photo
Paul Kelly Sports Editor

Having worked in the sports journalism and sports betting writing industry for several years now, Paul has gained vital skill, knowledge and expertise in a variety of different sports and industries. Paul is confident and competent at writing in-depth stories, features and betting predictions on a regular basis for SportsCasting. Having worked in the sports media industry ever since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in 2020, where he attained a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Journalism, Paul has jumped at the opportunity to attend numerous live sporting events on a regular basis. This includes working at some high calibre boxing, darts, UFC and football events over the years. Paul has covered a whole host of sports for BBC Sport, as well as being a consistent and regular contributor at ESBR Boxing for several years before becoming a Director in March 2024. Paul’s expertise lies in a wide range of sports, but he is particularly specialised in boxing, MMA, golf, football, darts and horse racing. He is also well-rounded in various sports which he may be less familiar with. Working in sports he is less familiar with helps him learn new skills, as well as nurturing the ability to adapt and overcome potential obstacles. Being a sports fanatic, Paul relishes the opportunity at taking on new challenges and is happy to try his hand at anything. During his time studying at university, Paul had the opportunity to gain some vital work experience at both Everton Football Club and BBC Radio 1. This has helped Paul master his knowledge of sports writing, as well as learning new skills with competence and proficiency.

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