UFC Boston in doubt

dave1982

State red tape could knock out a blockbuster fight card slated for Boston Garden later this summer as government officials are refusing the UFC’s request to relax rules barring foreign-born fighters from hitting the octagon without Social Security numbers.

“This law has been in existence since we legalized mixed martial arts in the commonwealth of Mass­achusetts,” said Terrell Harris, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety, which regulates prize fighting.

“It’s been brought to the attention of the UFC more than a few times since we legalized the fighting here. But they’ve chosen basically to ignore the law and hope that they could skirt it somehow,” Harris said.

The wildly popular UFC held its first major bout in Boston in 2010 — the sold-out UFC 118 — just months after the state legalized MMA-style fighting following years of controversy.

Under federal Social Security Administration rules, a fighter can get a temporary number after a 10-day grace period.

“When they bring in fighters that are not American citizens, there are exceptions that 
allow them to obtain a Social Security number,” Harris said.

“The Social Security 
Administration will issue a temporary work visa but it’s up to them to do 
their due diligence,” he said.

Harris said the UFC has petitioned the state for a one-time exception to allow foreign fighters to square off at the Aug. 17 Garden event — with or without a valid Social Security number. But state law is clear that officials are prohibited from issuing an MMA license to any fighter without proper documentation.

“They’ve approached us and asked us if we could make exceptions to the 
law for them,” Harris 
said.

“But the law is the law. The law doesn’t allow us to make exceptions.”

UFC officials did not 
return several messages seeking comment.

One state official said a major UFC fight such as the Boston event could bring in as much as 
$50 million in revenue 
to the city. House Speaker Robert F. DeLeo urged 
the UFC to contact lawmakers to try to find a 
solution.

“The Speaker was not aware of the problem and has not been in touch with UFC officials, but would be eager to learn more about it,” DeLeo spokesman Seth Gitell said.

The fight card, which is slated to be broadcast on Fox Sports, features a main event between Brazilian
national Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Oregon-
bred brawler Chael Sonnen.

Other foreign-born fighters on the card include Brazilians Thiago Alves, Yuri Alcantara, and Diego Brandao, Armenian Manny “The Anvil” Gamburyan and Swede Akira Cor­-assani.

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/06/state_may_ko_ufc_bouts#sthash.NktcA2rx.SZg8p2PW.dpuf

unknown13

Its two months away. The UFC will no doubt be making this a top priority. I think we should actually worry about this in a month's time, when the event is much nearer.

Also since the chance of MMA being legalised in New York expires on Thursday. A few of those personnel working on New York will then be moved to work on the Boston case.

Mellor

How did you come to the conclusion that the card was in-doubt? Bit of a ridiculous jump imo.
All this means is that they have to get Social Securities Numbers. That's it. Non-citizen fighters will need suitable visas to fight anyway, getting a SSN after that it straightforward. The article even says that they'll grant them after a 10 days grace period, they just have to apply.

Ian Whelan

The article is pretty misleading, visas are still required.

Mellor

It doesn't say that aren't required. Visa are a completely separate issue. They are required for all states.
Boston is unique that it also requires SSN.

Ian Whelan

I was agreeing with you, i.e. once you have the visa the SSN is easy to get.

El Guapo!

This has been sorted out and everything is back to normal. I don't think it was ever really even a big issue, but its sorted now anyway.

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/06/report-ufc-on-fox-sports-1-1-in-boston-no-longer-in-jeopardy

Mellor

El Guapo! wrote: »

This has been sorted out and everything is back to normal. I don't think it was ever really even a big issue, but its sorted now anyway.

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/06/report-ufc-on-fox-sports-1-1-in-boston-no-longer-in-jeopardy

:eek: