Legal problem could prevent foreigners from playing in UFC on FOX Sports 1

M.Shogun (photo) is one of the athletes who need a provisional social security number. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

A legal obstacle could prevent several athletes from taking part in UFC on FOX Sports 1, on August 17th, in Boston (USA). As reported by the newspaper Boston Herald, a law that requires fighters who work in the state of Massachusetts to have a Social Security identification number would be the reason for the complications. The Brazilian Mauritius Shogun and the Dutch alistair overeem are among the names that fit the case.

The athlete is allowed, by the Social Security Administration, to obtain a temporary number to have his activities regulated. However, there is a requirement for a ten-day grace period, and even then there is no absolute guarantee that the fighters will be released for the event.

“This law has existed since MMA was legalized in Massachusetts. We have drawn the attention of the UFC several times since fighting was legalized here. But they have chosen to basically ignore the law and hope that they can get around it somehow,” Terrell Harris, a spokesman for the State Department of Public Safety, told the newspaper in a statement reproduced by the website MMA Junkie.

UFC on FOX Sports 1 marks the beginning of the series of Ultimate events on the new channel of the media group that is its partner in the United States. Fight night is scheduled to take place on August 17th, at the TD Garden, in Boston (USA). In the main fight of the night, the Brazilian Mauritius Shogun face the North American loudmouth Chael Sonnen.