MMA Junkie reports that the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission will conduct a meeting to determine whether to license Chael Sonnen for his fight August 17th on UFC Fight Night 26.
The issue with the meeting has to deal with a complaint placed by a group called, Unite Here. According to its web site, the group represents workers in the U.S. and Canada working in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, and airport industries.
The complaint stems from Sonnen’s money laundering conviction in January 2011. According to the letter from Unite Here, it cites the fact that the commission has the right to deny an application based on a charge involving “moral turpitude.” The group argues that Sonnen’s crime was one of “moral turpitude.”
To refresh your recollection with Sonnen’s legal run-in, via MMA Fighting from January 2011:
Sonnen has admitted that he submitted a false letter and sales agreement addendum involving payment to a plumbing company for repairs to a home that Sonnen knew were not actually going to be made.
Although the Commission meeting on the issue will be a closed door meeting, Unite Here indicated that it will be represented at the meeting to voice its opposition to granting Sonnen a license. Its believed that this is a coordinated effort with the Las Vegas-based Culinary Union to disrupt the UFC’s event in Boston. The unions have lobbied against legalization of MMA in New York and now is trying to prevent Sonnen from fighting. In addition, there have been efforts to ban minors from the event.
Payout Perspective:
The language in the commission rules gives it the authority to deny an application but it is not necessary. But the overall intent to disrupt the event through lobbying the commission to ban one of the UFC’s key fighters on the card or prohibiting minors to attend reflects the fact that Zuffa is up against a formidable opponent. Its a public relations concern and one that seems to be a thorn in the side of the company no matter where it promotes events. With three of the four major distributors yet to hash out carriage agreement with Fox Sports 1 and these issues, Dana White may have some sleepless nights ahead heading into his hometown.
Ufc should start to advertise themselves as “felony friendly”