UFC Denver took shape last night (Saturday., July 13, 2024) at Ball Arena. Gabriel Bonfim handed Ange Loosa a lopsided loss (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) going the distance for the first time in his pro run. Between rounds one and two, UFC broadcast partner UFC TVA Sports casually leaked two giant Noche UFC title fights. Both headed for the Las Vegas ‘Sphere’…Looks like Ilia Topuria’s bluffs might have worked after all.
Ilia Topuria changed hands with the featherweight gold at UFC 298. Topuria earned his stripes by defeating Alexander Volkanovski with a huge overhand right to knock the Aussie out cold. Soon after, he turned focus on Max Holloway’s finishing statement at UFC 300. Now, with Topuria’s constant teases comes a new scoop.
In September, it’s going to be quite an event. Noche UFC, on September 14th inside the Sphere, Las Vegas. We already have a few fights that we can announce to you…Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway for the Featherweight championship, and there is also Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvilli, who are confirmed for this…
Canadian broadcast partner UFC TVA Sports in French during UFC Denver (ESPN+) broadcasr; H/T: SBNation Network
After Max Holloway’s all-time violent BMF knockout of Justin Gaethe, Topuria has been thirsting for silver. However, he wasn’t willing to put only his undisputed gold at stake in his maiden defense. Hence, he has engaged in many bluffs along the way to bait it in. September’s Las Vegas ‘Sphere’ event for the rebranded Riyadh Season Noche UFC always seemed like a possibility.
Per UFC’s French-Canadian Broadcast (@UFC_TVA), both those fights will happen at #UFCNoche :
🇺🇸Sean O’Malley (18-1) vs 🇬🇪Merab Dvalishvili (17-4)
🇪🇸Ilia Topuria (15-0) vs 🇺🇸Max Holloway (26-7)
LET’S GO !
— The Matchmaker (@MMA__Matchmaker) July 14, 2024
Between R1 and R2 of Loosa/Bonfim, they showed the Sphere promo (where we see the sky with stars) and the color commentator just dropped it there. He said it so casually, probably he tought it was public knowledge.
— The Matchmaker (@MMA__Matchmaker) July 14, 2024
Speaking with sources that while this was said it seems the Quebec PXP Man spoke out of turn and both Illia Topuria vs Max Holloway & Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili are unlikely for the Noche UFC event at The Sphere #NocheUFC https://t.co/rxrUWqS7wR
— Jason Hagholm (@JHagholm1) July 14, 2024
More so because the Alicante-Georgian teased so in a recent appearance recently. Meanwhile, Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili was teased as well. Both have maintained an angst on headlining the $2.3B Madison Square Gardens Arena Company’s Sphere. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but things are looking up for Noche UFC.
Noche UFC could be bigger than UFC 303 or 300…
Ilia Topuria has had many labels…’ El Matador’, KO artist, Spanish phenom, faux champ, inactive featherweight champ. But there’s no denying his star power and allure as a brand value champion. Topuria, 27, tore Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with his appearance.
Ilia Topuria for Noche UFC? Plans still in flux (Source: sports.ru/X/es.agfight.com)The Team Climent Club MMA’s Jorge Climent is aware of the attention the fighter has been getting. He took the honorary kick-off at the Real Madrid vs. Sevilla game, met with the Spanish president, and garnered hails from the biggest stars. His appearances on the ‘Webpositer’ Podcast, the RadiogacetaRNE Sports Radio Gazette, and moderated Q&A with Marca saw him get standing ovations.
Coach Climent thus thinks Topuria can sell out the El Bernabéu Stadium at Noche UFC, where 80,000 Spanish fans engaged in prolific cheers for him. Check out what Ibai’s record-breaking influencer boxing event brought on. Further, imagine what ‘El Matador’ can do at a home crowd.
Spanish Twitch streamer @IbaiLlanos put on a boxing event at Real Madrid’s 85,000-capacity Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
This is what UFC Spain could look like should the UFC go big in their expected debut event. pic.twitter.com/6GSbnKqhup
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) July 13, 2024
A Spanish streamer has put on an influencer boxing event at the 85,000 Santiago Bernabeu.
The UFC should strike while the iron is hot with Ilia Topuria & stage his next fight – or second title defence – here.
It’s an absolute no-brainer 🤷🏾♂️pic.twitter.com/9wf9oVOFHn
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) July 13, 2024
Alongside, he isn’t the only cog in the works. It’s not confirmed that Max Holloway or Ilia Topuria would headline over O’Malley or the other way around. ‘Suga’ recently won the 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award. He is a prime draw as well. The rebranded Riyadh Season Noche UFC will also see the pomp of Saudi GEA in the mix. As such, it can easily overtake previous milestone pay-per-view events.
