UFC 115 was scheduled for June 2010 in Vancouver, after Vancouver City Council gave provisory approval to sanction mixed martial arts events in the City of Vancouver. As it is now, such events take place in North Vancouver, Abbotsford, Richmond, Victoria, and other cities around the province, but not Vancouver.

The City of Vancouver doesn’t really want UFC, and they dont want MMA. Please, could somebody prove me wrong.

Why no UFC in Vancouver? It now appears that the City of Vancouver doesnt really want it. Despite the potential for the event to bring in millions of dollars in a one evening event and raise the profile of martial arts in Vancouver, bureaucrats have stepped into the process and are squeezing the life out of the event faster than a tightening rear naked choke. Bureaucratic busybodies are inventing new and unheard of hurdles for UFC to jump over, and today Google News has 151 reports on how UFC is now tapping out.

The Vancouver Sun has reported that UFC is ‘Down for the count‘.

Former Vancouver Athletic Commission member Dr. Raj Sandhu said the city is embroiled in a battle between departments, city staff and council, with problems that go beyond simple regulation.

“The liability issue is garbage. They wanted $12 million in liability put up by the promoters,” said Sandhu. “We had WWE wrestling here, nobody asked them for $12 million. When Trevor Berbick boxed here, no $12 million liability for him. So all of a sudden they come up with this figure; It’s as if [Mayor] Gregor Robertson wants to come out squeaky clean. He doesn’t want the event.”

Dealing with all the different levels of community, government and services for putting on an event in Vancouver can be a black art in itself, as I have found as a conference organiser myself. But the additonal demands for liability coverage are little more than subterfuge. If the City is demanding $12 Million in liability coverage for UFC when they never demanded it for Trevor Berbick, or WWE, that means they really just don’t want it, don’t know how to deal with it, and they don’t know what it is. The City of Vancouver doesn’t really want UFC, and they dont want MMA. Please, could somebody prove me wrong.

UFC Night at Edgewater Casino Sponsored By Versus 21. Photo: teantiki

On December 27th, We braved the winter storms and mountains of snow to join up with friends from the gym and MMA fans for UFC Night at Edgewater Casino. The PPV event is presented in a large theater on two giant video screens. Bar and food service is also available right in the hall. Its the best way to see the best MMA fights around.

Versus 21, Vancouver’s leading MMA & Kickboxing studio is now the proud sponsor of UFC nights hosted regularly at Edgewater Casino.

Tickets to the event are FREE, but seating is limited. If you plan to attend, head down to Edgewater Casino early evening (5 PM) and pick up your tickets. See you there.