Is Ilia Topuria Spanish? Why does Sergio Ramos support him? Exploring the UFC star's roots and nationality 

Many fans were curious about UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria's nationality after he received support from Spanish soccer stars in one of his previous fights.

In June 2023, 'El Matador' fought veteran fighter Josh Emmett and had cage-side support from Spanish football icons Sergio Ramos and Ferran Torres.

Topuria cruised to a dominant decision win. The attendance of Spanish football icons speaks to the star power of the 27-year-old with Georgian and Spanish roots.

---

Is Ilia Topuria Spanish?

Born in Halle Westfalen, Germany, Ilia Topuria had a diverse upbringing as he moved back to his parents' homeland of Georgia where he acquired his wrestling base. The family then moved to Alicante, a palatial city on Spain's southeastern coast when Topuria was fifteen years old.

It was in Alicante that Topuria started training at the city's first MMA gym, Climent Club, where he still trains to this day. While his coaches from Spain were also present in Topuria's corner in his fight against Josh Emmett, 'El Matador' did part of his camp at Kill Cliff FC in Florida going into it.

Topuria was granted Spanish citizenship in March, shortly after defeating Alexander Volkanovski to win the UFC featherweight title. As a result, Topuria's Georgian citizenship was automatically lost. However, the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobajidze declared that he would request President Salome Zurabilishvili to reinstate the 27-year-old's citizenship.

The Prime Minister's announcement came shortly after Topuria visited Georgia and met him at the Government headquarters. According to reports, 'El Matador' received a hero's welcome in the country.

---

Ilia Topuria nationality: 'El Matador' explains his choice of representing two countries

Topuria once expressed gratitude to both Spanish and Georgian supporters for not pinning him down to one nationality. Having grown up in Georgia and currently residing in Spain, 'El Matador' believes it's only fair that he gives both nations their due credit. Topuria told the UFC in a previous interview:

“It feels unbelievable because I get a lot of support from both Georgia and Spain. I feel great and I’ve never had bad comments about ‘Why don’t you represent only Spain or only Georgia?’ It has always been positive, people supporting me, and I love it. I was raised in Georgia, but I feel like a Spaniard. I started mixed martial arts in Spain and I can’t say, ‘Okay, I’m Georgian’ because I live in Spain, I train in Spain, and Spain brought me to where I am today.” [H/T ufc.com]

Topuria made both countries proud when he became the first Georgian-Spanish UFC champion. He is set to attempt his first featherweight title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Judging by the social media reactions and fans attending the pre-fight press conference, the Georgian-Spanish fighter seems to have the backing of fans from both countries.