UFC 115 is off in Vancouver? Now it's Cincy?
By
Steve Cofield
The rumblings began a few weeks ago and it looks like it's develop into a full scale storm. Neil Davidson from the Canadian Press is reporting that UFC 115 in Vancouver may be moved to Cincinnati.
A source says the show has been called off and the mixed martial arts promoter is looking at Cincinnati as a possible replacement city. The Vancouver card was slated for June 15 at GM Place and the UFC lobbied hard to get the city to open its doors to the sport.
But it appears the deal fell through because the UFC and the city could not reach an agreement on other details around the show.
Update: Davidson says the issue could be over insurance.
UFC president Dana White said he could not comment on any issues affecting Vancouver. But a second source said the two sides had yet to resolve insurance and other indemnification matters.
The Criminal Code offers an exemption of sorts to boxing but not mixed martial arts and that apparently is the sticking point in Vancouver, where the city wants adequate protection in terms of insurance.
In December, Vancouver city councillors voted six to three to approve a two-year trial period for MMA, opening the door for a UFC show that could generate millions for the local economy.
But under the pilot program, promoters must ensure the city can't be held liable for damages.
The promotion battled minor issues in holding two shows in Montreal and still hasn't broken through in Ontario. It appears more political nonsense will keep it from hitting Vancouver this summer.
If it is Cincinnati now you can really fan the flames that Rich Franklin subbed in for Tito Ortiz at some point during Season 11 of "The Ultimate Fighter." Ortiz and Chuck Liddell were booked as the coaches but rumors emerged earlier this month that it was going to be Franklin against Liddell instead. Dana White has said repeatedly that it's Franklin against Randy Couture.
