The countdown begins for the highly anticipated ‘WOW 17’ event, set to take place on March 29th at the Madrid Arena, where the stage is all set for a thrilling showdown between Miguel Ángel Colombo (7-0) and Umakhan Ibragimov (8-1). The excitement was palpable at a recent press conference in Madrid, attended by some of the fighters and the influential Ilia Topuria, a key figure in the company’s hierarchy and ownership. Although Topuria’s next opponent remains a mystery, he did offer some insight into his future in the lightweight division.
Topuria candidly stated, “My next opponent’s name hasn’t been decided yet. If it were Moicano or Dan Hooker, it would be easier to secure a fight, but since it’s me, Ilia Topuria, it’s not that simple.” He then tactfully shifted the focus towards the event’s main protagonists, politely declining to delve deeper into his own future plans to avoid diverting attention away from the other fighters. Other notable attendees included Hecher Sosa, Isabel Calvo, Theo Bashford, and Hanna Palmqvist.
In a rare moment of speaking about another event, Topuria briefly touched upon the upcoming fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title. “Predicting the future of our children is complicated,” he philosophical. “I wish them both luck. I’ve left them a toy to enjoy; for me, it’s no longer important.” With his next opponent still unknown, Topuria masterfully commanded the microphone, generating buzz just over a month ahead of the UFC 314 event in Miami, which promises to crown a new monarch in the division.
The ‘Trash Talk’ King: Hecher Sosa
While Colombo and Ibragimov maintained calm and respectful stances regarding their upcoming bout, Hecher Sosa stole the show at the press conference with his bold declarations. In the absence of his opponent, Sakhi Qambari ‘Machete’, Sosa directed his words towards Yaman ‘El Diamante’, with whom an unexpected rivalry has emerged. Following his victory in Bilbao, Yaman has solidified his position as one of the country’s top prospects, but no one could have foreseen this surprising turn of events.
Sosa, known for his fearlessness, challenged Yaman, saying, “If he’s capable of calling me out personally, I’ll show him there are levels. I think I could only lose to him if he cites stoic phrases; in everything else, I’d win. So, wherever and whenever they want.” Currently on the cusp of entering the UFC, Sosa revealed his intention to possibly participate in the Dana White’s Contender Series, aiming to be the first Spanish fighter to join the company through this platform. For now, he plans to remain one of the most recognizable faces of WOW.
Sosa’s verbal sparring with Yaman continued, as he claimed, “Yaman sells himself well, tries to copy Ilia’s phrases, but there’s only one Ilia. He trained with us in Lanzarote, and even the amateurs from my gym surpassed him.” The exchange between ‘El Diamante’ and Sosa has sparked a heated debate on social media, with the possibility of a future showdown between two of the country’s most promising talents hanging in the balance.
Colombo and Ibragimov: Controlled Violence
The main event of ‘WOW 17’ featuring Miguel Ángel Colombo and Umakhan Ibragimov promises to be an exciting spectacle, given their impressive combined record of 14 finishes in 15 victories. Colombo expressed his gratitude to Ilia for the opportunity to headline the event, vowing to deliver violence and warning his opponent that his hand will eventually find its way to Ibragimov’s face. “I’m destined for success. I have six first-round KOs and a submission… I always aim to finish my fights. Ibragimov is just another obstacle I need to overcome,” Colombo stated confidently.
On the other hand, Ibragimov maintained a cordial tone, despite being determined to pull off an upset and hand Colombo his first loss. “It’s a great opportunity for me against a local prospect. I respect my opponent, but I love Spain, and I couldn’t wait to accept the offer for March 29th,” he said. Initially, Colombo’s opponent was supposed to be Ignacio Capella, in what would have been one of the biggest fights in the country’s history. However, an injury forced Capella’s withdrawal, and Ibragimov has stepped in as the unexpected hero from the Dagestani mountains.
