Ilia Topuria: "The ultimate goal is to become a three-time UFC champion."

Last weekend, Ilia Topuria wrote his name in stone in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA). The Spanish-Georgian captured his second UFC belt (he already won it in the featherweight division, now in the lightweight division) after knocking out Brazilian Charles Oliveira in the first round. After a hectic return trip, he landed in the Spanish capital, still jet-lagged, to present his new functional drink brand, "Mucho." There, El Matador spoke to the media and discussed, in the heat of the moment, his future within the top MMA league. He asserted that he would beat the best Conor McGregor, that, if it were up to him, Paddy Pimblett would be his first title defense, and that Arman Tsarukyan, the number one ranked fighter, is an "easy fight" for him. He also didn't forget Dagestani Islam Makhachev, who moved up a weight class, avoiding a fight with the Spanish-Georgian. Meanwhile, Topuria speaks exclusively to ABC to reveal his ultimate goal in the sport: to bring the UFC to Spain and become a three-division champion, something no one has ever achieved in history.

-Just arrived in Madrid after winning a second UFC belt, this time at UFC Lightweight. Are you aware of the impact you're having in Spain after your recent knockout of Charles Oliveira?

"It's the first place I've been to. I have no idea. I haven't been able to see the impact yet; I've been out of the media spotlight. I imagine it must have been big. I'm noticing a special energy."

-He asked me what I thought of the fight against Charles and I told him, jokingly, that it was too short for the fans.

-He even complains! (Laughs)

-Did you really think the fight was going to end in just two and a half minutes?

-I was saying it all the time, I sounded like a prophet.

-The victory was undoubtedly one of the most spectacular of your career. What's next for Ilia Topuria?

-I have no idea... At this point in my career, after every fight, I need to think it over, visualize it, see who I want to play against, how it should be... I haven't had time to analyze it; I'm still jetlagged. I want to settle in here, think it over, and I'll give you a more clear answer later.

-I can tell you that Arman Tsarukyan, the UFC's number one lightweight contender, has already stated how he would beat you: he would knock you down and knead you...

-(Laughs). He's a total jerk! Have you seen his fight against Charles Oliveira? How many times he's been on the verge of submitting him and tapping him out! He's had so many submissions. He's a total jerk. I can assure you, I'll finish Arman Tsarukyan.

-Another very clear name is the Englishman Paddy Pimblett due to the rivalry they have maintained for years.

-It's a gift. He has no idea.

-He has said that if a UFC event were held in Spain, he would defeat Islam Makhachev in the first round and then Paddy Pimblett.

-It could be, of course. After Charles Oliveira, I could have fought with Paddy, Arman, and Islam too.

-The UFC's arrival in Spain depends on the renegotiation of television rights in the United States, but will you push for them to come next year?

I'm going to do everything in my power. I'd love to compete in Spain in front of everyone; it would be another dream come true. Imagine yourself at the Santiago Bernabéu, fighting in front of everyone. Experiencing it and having it in my memories is so worth it. I want to make it happen.

-No one in UFC history has managed to win titles in three different weight classes. Is the Triple Crown the ultimate goal?

-Don't get me started on this (smiles). [The UFC asked him not to talk about an immediate move up to welterweight.] But that would be the goal, yes.