Just a day after Shine Fights issued a press release blaming the Virginia athletic commission for being forced to move a planned lightweight grand prix to Oklahoma at the last second, state officials have responded that the promoters did not provide evidence of a surety bond and other necessary documents, according to Sherdog.com.
Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation spokesman Mary Broz-Vaughan explained Virginia’s take on what happened in the days leading up to the denial of the promotional license.
“We were begging for information from them on Tuesday,” said Broz-Vaughn. “We just can’t put on an event without the required documents.”
Broz-Vaughan also said that the issues and allegations surrounding Shine’s canceled North Carolina show — which would have featured pro boxer Ricardo Mayorga against UFC veteran Din Thomas — did not lead to the denial.
“Our bonding requirement would have allayed these concerns, but (Shine) didn’t provide evidence that they’d acquired one,” said Broz-Vaughan. “Allegations alone are not sufficient grounds for denial.”
A Shine Fights spokesperson told ProMMANow.com that the organization’s CEO Devin Price and COO Jason Chambers were not available to comment.