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Bullfighting has come to an in northeastern Spain. Fans in the of Catalonia saw their last fights on September 25. The actual ban into effect on the first of January, 2012, but Sunday’s fighting was the of the season. Over 20,000 spectators Barcelona's Monumental arena to see this age-old spectacle performed in the city for the last . Spain’s top matadors performed at the historic , which sold out at record speed. One matador, Julian Lopez, told the AP news agency: “This is a beautiful arena, with a lot of tradition both for bullfighters and this national celebration.” Despite this, bullfighting at the arena has been on the , with smaller and smaller crowds year.

Catalonia to ban bullfighting last year after 180,000 people signed a petition it. They argued the corrida was barbaric. Opponents of the ban believe they have a of getting it overturned next year. Bull breeder, Moeses Fraele said: "I think the politicians will think about the ban and bullfighting will live on. And thank God because Catalonia has of serious bullfighting fans.” He that, “in a democratic country [fans] should be to go to a bullfight." Catalonia is the first mainland region in Spain to ban bullfighting. The age-old sport has been of Spanish life for centuries. It has been at La Maestranza arena in Sevilla since 1765. There are dozens of bullrings the country.