Outcome: Dismissed
AUG082024_05B2203
Our summary
An MMA lightweight fighter sought EB-1A classification claiming a major international award and multiple alternate criteria. The AAO found the petitioner met published material and high salary criteria but lacked the major international award and failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- High salary · Director determined petitioner met criterion for high salary in field
- Published material · Director determined petitioner met criterion for published material about work in field
What was missing
- Awards · UFC locker bonus does not constitute a major internationally recognized award for excellence
- Final merits · Record shows MMA fighter with some UFC wins but lacks sustained international acclaim required
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Director determined petitioner met criterion for high salary in field | |
| Met | Director determined petitioner met criterion for published material about work in field | |
| Not met | UFC locker bonus does not constitute a major internationally recognized award for excellence | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed on appeal but not analyzed; decision does not address membership criterion | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed on appeal but not analyzed; decision does not address original contributions criterion | |
| Not met | Record shows MMA fighter with some UFC wins but lacks sustained international acclaim required |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
