Glover Teixeira was granted the key to the city of Danbury in honor of his UFC light heavyweight title-winning performance at UFC 267.
![Glover Teixeira with the people of Danbury at his parade. [Credits: @arielhelwani via Twitter]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/11/6a61f-16369527723453-1920.jpg?w=500)
Glover Teixeira was granted the key to the city of Danbury in honor of the newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion's title-winning performance. A parade was also held in honor of Teixeira, who defeated Jan Blachowicz in the main event of UFC 267.
Ariel Helwani reported on the ceremony on Twitter, saying:
"A parade was held in honor of new UFC light heavyweight champion @gloverteixeira today in Danbury, CT."
"Teixeira was also given the key to the city of Danbury today. Not bad for a guy who couldn’t enter the country for years due to visa issues and had to also work as a landscaper when he first moved here to earn a living."
A parade was held in honor of new UFC light heavyweight champion @gloverteixeira today in Danbury, CT. (📷 @MattCalvis) https://t.co/6M6A2Xcypn
Being handed the key to the city is a medieval tradition which is meant to confer trust and honor. The key symbolizes the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will.
Teixeira was seen carrying his UFC gold with him throughout the rally and also gave a heartfelt speech expressing gratitude towards the city of Danbury.
Teixeira was also given the key to the city of Danbury today.
Not bad for a guy who couldn’t enter the country for years due to visa issues and had to also work as a landscaper when he first moved here to earn a living. https://t.co/DrSHPGLu8a
Glover Teixeira fought for UFC light heavyweight gold for the second time in his career at UFC 267. He lost in his first attempt at the belt against one of the greatest fighters of all time, Jon Jones, way back in 2014.
Glover Teixeira received his green card in 2021; came to United States as an immigrant
2021 turned out to be a great year for Glover Teixeira, who was also granted full American citizenship.
Teixeira, who was born and brought up in Sobralia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, moved to the United States in 1999 as an immigrant and stayed in Danbury, Connecticut. He also worked as a landscaper.
Immigration issues also kept Glover Teixeira away from the UFC octagon for a significant amount of time. In an Instagram post back in May, Teixeira ecstatically revealed that he had become an American citizen and held a green card after years of hardship.
"Im so proud today because I’m officially an American Citizen... Now I’m very proud to represent both Brazil & America."