The legend of Ilia Topuria it doesn’t stop growing. His recent victory against the American Max Holloway has crowned him as the undisputed king of the UFC in the featherweight category and has allowed him to keep the belt that accredits this feat that he achieved for the second consecutive time in the same year. Not only has his fight gone around the world, but so has the spontaneous kiss he gave on the head to Juan Carlos I, who supported him a few meters from the octagon at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. He spoke about that effusive gesture with the previous monarch for the first time during his visit to The Anthill.
“The truth is that it was a moment of such emotion… Before going into combat they told me, ‘look, the King is there, there is a protocol, you have to address him as his majesty.’ I saw him and I asked him if I could give him a kiss. He made me like this (nodding and lowering his head). I think he thought, let’s see if this crazy guy gives me a kiss where he shouldn’t and we’ll make a mess here..”, he said. remembering the anecdote with humor.
***text in progress