Joel Alvarez, Daniel Barez discuss MMA growth in Spain, impact of Ilia Topuria, potential UFC event in 2024

Spain has long been in the lower tier of European countries represented in the UFC, but that’s starting to change, and quite rapidly.

The name Ilia Topuria stands out the most when thinking of Spanish MMA. After all, Topuria is in the top five of the UFC’s official featherweight rankings, he’s undefeated, and on the brink of a title shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski.

However, there’s more going on. In 2022, the UFC partnered with La Liga, Spain’s professional soccer league, to cross-promote content. Plus, promising lightweight Joel Alvarez returns this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 224 along with recent UFC signee Dani Barez. Both obviously represent Spain.

All of this has been accompanied by massive growth in the Spanish MMA fanbase.

Ahead of Saturday’s event in London, Alvarez and Barez spoke to MMA Junkie about the state of MMA in their homeland.