Report: Boston may ban foreign-born fighters from UFC on FOX Sports 1

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is expected to make its FOX Sports 1 debut with "Shogun vs. Sonnen" at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on Aug. 17, 2013.

There's just one problem.

"Beantown" may bounce a handful of foreign-born fighters for not having social security numbers, according to a report from Boston Herald, which indicated that ZUFFA, parent company of UFC, has been notified of the proper protocol, but continues to try to find a way around it.

From Terrell Harris, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety:

"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."

See the current UFC on FOX Sports 1 #1 fight card, rumors and line up here.

Names that stand out are Mauricio Rua, who will main event opposite Chael Sonnen, as well as Alistair Overeem and Conor McGregor, who challenge Travis Browne and Andy Ogle, respectively. At this time, there is no confirmation on who has a social security number or temporary work via and who doesn't.

The clock is ticking.

I guess that sizable check UFC President Dana White wrote to help the victims of the Boston bombing wasn't enough to earn his fighters a free pass. In addition, the promotion has less than two months to get this thing straightened out, or rework its entire fight card.

Stay tuned for more information on this developing story as it becomes available.