UFC Champion Ilia Topuria Moves to Miami, Leaving Spain

Ilia Topuria Leaves Spain: Tax Avoidance or Family Reasons?

The UFC champion has announced he is moving his residence to Miami. The official reason: being close to his ex-vvife and daughter. The unofficial reason, which no one bothers to hide, is the stark difference in tax treatment between Spain and Florida. With earnings exceeding €1 million per fight, the decision is pure arithmetic.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Nearly €100,000 Saved Per €500,000 Earned

The math speaks for itself. In Spain, the marginal IRPF (income tax) rate can reach 47-50% in regions like Catalonia. In Florida, there is no state income tax, and the federal rate tops out at 37%. According to circulating calculations, for a gross annual salary of €1 million, net income in Spain ranges from €500,000 to €550,000; in Florida, it’s between €640,000 and €670,000. The gap widens further with higher figures: for every €500,000 in gross revenue, annual savings exceed €100,000.

It’s not just about percentages, but predictability. US rules are stable; in Spain, Hacienda (the tax authority) may reinterpret image rights income or introduce new solidarity taxes on the fly. Topuria, who rose to fame waving the Spanish flag, has chosen the dollar instead.

The Perfect Excuse: Shared Custody and Business in Miami

The fighter of Georgian origin justified the move by citing his daughter: her mother lives in Miami, and shared custody requires him to be nearby. But coincidentally, his main sponsors, the world's top MMA gyms, and his management team are also based there. The relocation allows him to centralize his career and optimize his tax bill. As one industry analyst ironically noted, “it’s strange he didn’t leave sooner.”

Public reaction was predictable. Some label him an opportunist who abandoned the flag that made him famous; others argue the real issue is a country driving away talent with suffocating tax pressure. Meanwhile, champions leave while the tax authorities watch.