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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Reza Madadi says he's heading back to the UFC, more than two years after an arrest and conviction in Sweden.
The Iranian lightweight was riding high in the organization's lightweight division in April of 2013 off an upset win over Michael Johnson when it all ground to a halt. He was arrested as one of three masked men who allegedly broke into a designer handbag store and made off with a haul worth over six figures.
Madadi was eventually convicted of aggravated burglary, bringing a sentence of 18 months in prison. He was also the only man convicted in the crime, and served 14 months of that sentence. He's maintained his innocence despite the conviction, and is now apparently being given another chance in the UFC.
"Two years ago they said 'this guy's never going to come back, he's too old, he doesn't deserve the chance anymore'" Madadi commented, "but I just want to tell you, all the haters, I'm back. I'm back again in the UFC, stronger than ever.
Penick's Analysis: Whether you believe him or not, he is now a convicted felon in Sweden; now, an arrest and jail time doesn't preclude one from being a professional athlete, and given this wasn't a crime that featured violence or harm to any individuals, it's not as extreme as it could be. If the UFC feels he's worth a second chance, they feel he's worth a second chance. Even if he's absolutely 100% guilty of the crime for which he was convicted, there are fighters on the roster who have done worse, from the standpoint of outside assault, domestic violence, etc. The UFC may catch some flak for re-signing him, and it will likely be justified on some level, but I don't have much of a problem with this as some might.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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