Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Top UFC Bantamweight Gains U.S. Citizenship

Originally posted on MMA Sucka | Last updated Mar 24, 2024 2:46 PM ET

Merab Dvalishvili is now a U.S. citizen. The Georgia-born bantamweight has found the spotlight over the last few months and has made a big move in his personal life.

Merab Dvalishvili Becomes a U.S. Citizen

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A post shared by Merab Dvalishvili (@merab.dvalishvili)

UFC‘s #1 bantamweight contender took to social media to share the big news. In his Instagram post, “The Machine” stated, “So today I did a thing … as of 3/22/24 I am a citizen of the USA. My heart will always be with my home Georgia …but I am blessed and grateful to have had the opportunities The United States of America gave me and I will continue to work hard to make both my countries proud!”

Many top fighters showed their support in congratulations to the 33-year-old star, including Paulo Costa, Sean Strickland, Jorge Masvidal, and his close friend and training partner Aljamain Sterling. Social media giant Mark Zuckerberg even shared a note of congratulations.

Dvalishvili is expected to challenge for the 135-lbs. title next. This, of course, is dependent on if current champion Sean O’Malley makes a move to the 145-lbs. division to challenge Italy’s Ilia Topuria.

This article first appeared on MMA Sucka and was syndicated with permission.

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