UFC featherweight world champion Ilia Topuria has been in the spotlight due to his desire to obtain Spanish nationality, which led him to automatically renounce his Georgian citizenship. Born in Halle, Germany, to Georgian parents, Topuria has been living in Spain since 2012 – he arrived when he was 15 – and considers himself deeply Spanish. This transition has generated special interest since Spain and Georgia do not have a dual nationality agreement and, with the Government of Spain granting nationality to the fighter, it has caused Georgia to make legislative adjustments to also allow Topuria to retain his Georgian citizenship.
The world champion belt continues to knock down doors. The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobajidze, publicly announced this week his intention to ask the country’s president, Salomé Zurabilishvili, to restore Ilia Topuria’s Georgian citizenship. This request is based on Georgia’s national pride in the champion’s achievement in the UFC and the desire to maintain its ties with him at the citizen level. Georgian legislation establishes that upon acquiring the citizenship of another country, nationals automatically lose their Georgian citizenship, which has motivated this action by the government to adapt to the exceptional circumstances in which Topuria finds itself.
THE NATURE CHARTER OF THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT
The granting of Spanish nationality to Ilia Topuria was an emotional moment for both the fighter and Spain. The process was carried out through a Nature Charter, a special procedure that grants citizenship at the discretion of the Spanish Government after evaluating exceptional circumstances. This milestone reflects the complexity and sensitivity involved in nationality issues when countries do not have bilateral agreements on the matter. And the thing is that Topuria, before lifting the belt, had tried without success to have a Spanish passport.
Thank you @sanchezcastejon for helping me fulfill another of my dreams. https://t.co/BLPJ3gqBzZ
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) February 29, 2024
In a significant gesture, Georgia has decided to honor Ilia Topuria with the Order of Honor and seek to restore his Georgian citizenship. This recognition highlights the importance that Georgia places on the fighter and its desire to maintain its ties with him beyond national borders. Topuria’s story illustrates how sport can transcend borders and trigger legal and symbolic changes internationally.
More than ever, Topuria will continue to carry the flag of Spain and Georgia in his suitcase to each of his fights.
In Madrid there is a desire for @ufc right? May @danawhite read you.
.#AndNew #Champion pic.twitter.com/KSF8V8UAns
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 2, 2024
