UFC Fighter Manel Kape Recieves P-1S Visa for Coach Luliia Kukharchuk

We are proud to announce that Ms. Luliia Kukharchuk, the Coach for Mr. Manel Kape received approval for a P-1S visa for Essential Support Staff. First Round Management served as the petitioner for Luliia’s P-1S visa that will give her the flexibility to travel and coach Mr. Manel Kape in all his competitions in the Ultimate Fighting Championships in the US.

This approval comes at a great time because we are getting a lot of questions regarding options for fighters to travel along with their coaches for important tournaments in the US. Mr. Manel Kape who was recently signed up by the UFC. The UFC does not do visa petitions for coaches, just athletes that are signed to the UFC. However, due to our extensive experience in the space of sports visas, we were able to use the fighter’s approval notice to get a P- 1S for coach Luliia through the management company First Round Management.

Getting P-1S Visas Approved for Mixed Martial Arts Coaches:

Mr. Luliia Kukharchuk is an internationally recognized mixed martial arts coach and has garnered a great amount of regional and international championships. She is an exceptional mixed martial arts coach and athlete who has competed on the world stage, has faced tremendous competition, garnered international acclaim from fans all over the world and has chosen to coach the best fighters in the world. Ms. Kukharchuk is a World Karate Champion and has competed in various international tournaments including the 1st World Karate Games, where she secured first place in both the kata and kumite disciplines, and second place in the discipline of fukugo. She has been the principal coach for Mr. Manel Kape from the beginning of his career and the leader of his entire fight camp preparations since 2014. Coach Luliia creates Mr. Kape’s game plan, works his mits, directs his training camps, and has done this at the highest level and continues to do so.

The Petitioner:

First Round Management was founded in 2008 by current President and C.E.O. Malki Kawa, recognized as the top agent in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Its Miami, Fla. -based firm has grown to today represent the top fighters in all of MMA, including in the UFC, the world's top promotion.

The mission of First Round Management is to provide a family- oriented service for its clients in order to create an atmosphere of transparency, accessibility, and dependability. They believe that their clients should be treated as people, not just a commodity based on draft value. It is also their duty to provide sufficient and resourceful information for their clients so they are equipped to handle any situation.

Work Flexibility Schedule of Luliia Kukharchuk P-1S

Expected Activities To be performed by the Beneficiary to Manel Kape.

1. Logistical Services

Counsel, confer, represent, and advise, to athlete negotiate licensing, logistics, and other day to day business. 20 hours a week of services will be provided for logistical services

2. Functional Training Services

Beneficiary shall administer the training camps of the beneficiary and serve as corner woman in every bout and exhibition the athlete competes in during this agreement.

20 hours a week of services will be provided for functional training services that are the premier advantage of Manel Kape’s fighting style to weaponize pace during competitions.

Luliia Kukharchuk’s I-129 P-1S petition was supported by ample evidence that she meets the criteria and qualifies for the non- immigrant visa as an essential support staff of a P-1A athlete.

First, Luliia Kukharchuk has extraordinary ability as a Coach in the exclusive field of mixed martial arts and is an industry contributor, which is a combination of her international awards, her coaching skills that has enabled Mr. Manel Kape to achieve numerous awards, a factor we explained in great detail in the petition. Second, she seeks to remain in the United States on a temporary basis to continue coaching Mr. Manel Kape in the various championship-level mixed martial arts combats.

In the response to the Request for Evidence, in addition to the independent statements provided along with the original petition, we also issued a review from one of the best coaches in the world, Conan at American Top Team. We have also provided a statement from the Principle athlete that explains things. We have also provided a letter from First Round Management to confirm and corroborate the essential skills and integral role Coach Luliia plays for the principal beneficiary.

Statement from the principal athlete – Manel Kape.

This statement discussed Ms. Kukharchuk’s capabilities and the need for her to continue to coach him. Excerpts from Mr. Kape’s statement:

“Coach Luliia is my functional training coach and the leader of my entire fight camp preparations since 2014. As a team, we have successfully risen from unknown to one of the premier fighter/coach teams on earth through competing at the highest level.

Coach Luliia discovered my deficiencies in a gym before I was the fighter I am today. Hands on time and effort with me that honed my skills to compete at this level is a testament to her skill level as a trainer. Her skills as a functional training coach are also visible in her own success as a formidable professional martial artist which gives her a unique perspective and understands my plight.”

Further, he mentions that Coach Luliia cannot be replaced by an American Worker for the reasons including that they speak the same language, her planning of training and logistics, and her ability in providing functional training which suits his unique style.

According to Mr. Kape, the essential skills that make Ms. Kukharchuk is a key member of the team are:

1. Coach Luliiaa is the coach that discovered my deficiency, which is a skill in itself, and then molded me into a World Championship level fighter. She is confirmed as my head coach through Manel Kape’s own personal statement which is included with this petition.

2. I weaponize my conditioning in my competitions - My conditioning is amongst the most respected in the world, Coach Luliia is a decorated functional trainer and fighter herself. I am known for winning fights by putting on a pace that my opponents cannot compete with me.

3. Coach Luliia comes up with my game plan, works my mits, directs my training camps, and has done this at the highest level and continues to do so.

4. Functional Training is the secret sauce to my fight camp preparation. This training allows me to enter and finish training camps with minimal injury while maintaining a level of condition that will dominate my opponents.”

For more information on how we help support professional combat sports with O-1 and P-1 visas, please contact our offices at 310-209-8545.