After his beautiful knockout win over Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, Ilia Topuria has come to Barcelona … in mural kind.
A number of UFC fighters have hit a degree of fame through the years the place they’ve encourage artists to create graffiti murals of their residence nation. We’ve seen nice ones of Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Alexander Volkanovski in Australia and New Zealand. England has honored Paddy Pimblett, “Meatball” Molly McCann, Leon Edwards, and Tom Aspinall.
And now Spain has a mural of “El Matador” Ilia Topuria in Barcelona that’s already turning into a preferred vacationer attraction. Situated on the wall subsequent to a canine groomer’s store is a stencil graffiti of Topuria throwing a giant overhand proper. In the event you’re in search of the precise tackle, it’s Carrer de les Basses de Sant Pere. , 22, Barcelona.
The work is positioned with Ilia’s fist proper in opposition to the sting of the wall so guests can fake they’re consuming a punch from the knockout artist — though primarily based on the images we’ve seen, casuals are mirroring the punch again or giving Topuria fistbumps. Don’t do that! Refusing to face and bang with the Topuria mural is assured unhealthy juju.
The artwork is by Spanish road artist Alberto Leon, who has numerous similar-themed stencil graffiti nook items across the metropolis.
“Instance of overcoming, sacrifice and self-discipline,” Leon wrote on his Instagram put up of the piece. “Pure inspiration to many individuals, a warrior in life and in sport, a metal mentality. My little tribute to the #1 of the UFC. Thanks legend.”
Whereas Topuria is a resident of Madrid and is pushing to have his homecoming debut combat within the metropolis’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, this mural in Barcelona exhibits that the fighter is exploding in reputation throughout the nation. UFC CEO Dana White has mentioned coming to Spain in 2025 is ‘necessary’ to him, and let’s hope he pulls it off.
In line with White, the place precisely the UFC’s Spanish debut finally ends up relies upon fully on venue availability. However there’ll be no scarcity of pleasure wherever it finally ends up, be it the center of the nation or the japanese coast. As long as it options Topuria, it might set the stage for an additional explosion in MMA’s worldwide reputation like we haven’t seen since Conor McGregor.
