Is the inaugural UFC on Fox Sports 1 card in jeopardy? Maybe, per the Boston Herald, because of state laws regarding foreign born fighters. Apparently they need to have SSNs in order to compete and a number of the foreign born fighters on the card don’t have them. Zuffa is looking to get an exemption from the rule but it hasn’t been granted yet, especially considering pre-sale tickets just went on sale today.
“This law has been in existence since we legalized mixed martial arts in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. 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. When they bring in fighters that are not American citizens, there are exceptions that allow them to obtain a Social Security number. The Social Security Administration will issue a temporary work visa but it’s up to them to do their due diligence.”
—Terrell Harris, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety, which regulates combat sports in MA
Read more about it on the Boston Herald’s website.
