UFC 298: How Ilia Topuria found a home in Spain and arrived at the doorstep of a title - ESPN

ALICANTE, Spain — Of the 40 Olympic medals Georgia has won since its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, 19 were earned in wrestling. Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling are parts of the country's fabric and a source of pride for the nearly 4 million Georgians in the country and those abroad.

Among those in the latter group are Ilia Topuria and his parents, who moved to Germany because of the political strife between Georgia and Russia before eventually settling in Spain. Topuria, 27, faces Australia's Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title at Saturday's UFC 298 in Anaheim, California (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV).

Despite the historical implications of Topuria's fight with Volkanovski, «El Matador» is quick to point out that his success has been part of a master plan waiting to be fulfilled. As the first Georgian fighter to compete for a UFC title, he hopes a potential championship belt has enough sway to convince the UFC to hold an event in his adopted country of Spain.

«It gives me a sense of satisfaction, of appreciation and gratitude, that a declaration I made a long time ago is now being discussed and planned. That the new generation could fight at home and have easier access than I did,» Topuria said.

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski puts his title on the line against Ilia Topuria, while Paulo Costa ends a near two-year layoff when he faces Robert Whittaker in the co-main event.

Buy UFC 298 on ESPN+ PPV

UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria
Sat., Feb. 17, Honda Center, Anaheim, California
• Main card: 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV
• Prelims: 8 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN+
• Early prelims: 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+

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