Dana White explains problem with booking Ilia Topuria fight in Spain, reveals UFC "working on an Africa fight"

Dana White has addressed the possibility of an Ilia Topuria-headlined UFC card in Spain and highlighted why it's tough to materialize. Additionally, the UFC CEO and president asserted that the promotion is working toward organizing its first event in the continent of Africa.

The Georgian-Spanish Topuria captured the UFC featherweight title with a second-round KO victory against Australia's Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 (Feb. 2024). Topuria then called to headline a card in Spain next.

White prefers organizing events at indoor arenas rather than stadiums. Nevertheless, during the UFC 298 post-fight press conference, he opined that Spain's iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium "sounds good" for a potential UFC Spain card.

Watch Dana White's assessment below:

Speaking to Adam Catterall for TNT Sports, Dana White recently addressed various topics. Catterall alluded that middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria could headline UFC cards in South Africa and Spain respectively.

White agreed and signaled that if du Plessis wins his upcoming fight at UFC 305 in August, he could fight in his native South Africa next. Moreover, he asserted that they're looking to build a UFC PI (Performance Institute) in Africa.

Earlier this year, Topuria claimed to know the date for UFC Spain. He's expected to defend his belt against Max Holloway next. Well, White didn't address that, but he seemed to suggest that 'El Matador' could headline a card in Spain.

According to White, venues in Spain are overbooked in the post-COVID era, which is why it's tough to secure one for a UFC event. He stated:

"The problem with Topuria and Spain is Spain's venues are so backed up since COVID. They have so many events going on. It's hard to get a venue there. But when we can, we will definitely do that."

White added:

"And what was the other -- you know, I wanna go to Africa. We're still working on an Africa fight; not just South Africa, but Africa. You know, 'cause everybody will make the argument, 'If you go to South Africa, that's not really Africa.' That's Africa to me. But we'll still look to go to other parts of Africa. It's important to me."

Check out White's comments below:

Watch White discuss the topic below (8:34-9:59):

---

When Dana White made a promise about a potential UFC Africa event

At UFC 286 (March 2023), Nigeria-born American Kamaru Usman failed to reclaim his UFC welterweight title against the UK's Leon Edwards. During the post-fight press conference, Dana White was asked about Usman, one of the UFC's top stars of African descent, not being a champion anymore.

White emphasized that it's great if the UFC has African champions, but he added that they aren't obligatory for the promotion to organize events there. Besides, he'd spoken about a potential UFC Africa event earlier that month as well.

Furthermore, in the aftermath of UFC 286, White promised that before he retires from the UFC, he'll ensure that the promotion brings an event and sets up a UFC PI in Africa. He said:

"It will happen before I retire. Two things will happen before I retire. We will do a fight, at least one fight, in Africa, and there will be a PI [Performance Institute] in Africa before I'm done here."

Check out Dana White's comments below: