Madadi maintains his innocence. He says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Swedish authorities imprisoned him for over a year for his alleged involvement in a handbag store robbery (he was convicted). Madadi was released approximately two years ago... Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, released the following statement regarding lightweight Reza Madadi: Following his conviction by a court of law in Sweden, the UFC organization has elected to terminate its relationship with Reza Madadi based on its Fighter Code of Conduct and the provision of its promotional agreement concerning fighter conduct. Seems unlikely they'd bring him back but then again... Madadi was 2-1 in the UFC with a win over Michael Johnson in his last fight.
See, I don't see why they wouldn't or shouldn't bring him back. The man was convicted of comitting a crime, he did his time as administered by a court of law and now he is a free man. If we as a society want criminals to NOT become repeat offenders that should be the end of his punishment. Saying what career he can and cannot follow after paying for his crime should not factor in to his future IMO. This should not in any way reflect poorly on the UFC if they were to offer him a job... ppl will bitch and moan but it's misplaced IMO.
Lee Murray held a family hostage at gunpoint during the Securitas depot robbery. If he was released should he be allowed to fight in the UFC again? I don't think it is fair for the UFC to make calls as to which crimes are forgivable (following the requisite sentence) and which are not. Convicted felons probably shouldn't be fighting in the UFC.
Lee Murray also fled the country to avoid prosecution and jail time.. that's a significant difference IMO. again the authorities dole out punishment for crimes, why do we tack on more punishment by not allowing criminals an opportunity at the career they want AFTER they have served their time? Doesn't that just increase the chances of them becoming repeat offenders? Or is the mentality 'once a criminal always a criminal' too ingrained in society to look at ex-cons any other way?
Madadi didn't exactly turn himself in. He led police on a high-speed chase. To boot he committed this crime during his UFC tenure (weeks after the Michael Johnson fight). Some decisions can cost you your dream. It's not like he can't get a job anywhere. There are probably still other places that will let him fight. I think the UFC should be setting a higher standard and holding fighters to their behavior policy.
