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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The UFC is no longer heading to Vancouver in June, according to a report from the Canadian Press on Monday.
The report states that a source told them the event has been called off after issues with insurance and more, and that the UFC is looking at Cincinnati as a possible replacement city for the event.
The event was expected to come to the GM Place on June 12th after the Vancouver City Council voted to allow a two year trial period for MMA in December. But the trial period requires that promoters ensure that the city cannot be held liable for damages from the event, necessitating the purchase of a large amount of insurance for a UFC event in the city.
That seems to be the crux of the issue, and if the UFC does wind up going to Cincinnati, the event will be the first in the city since UFC 77 in 2008.
The UFC 115 event already has a number of fights scheduled for the card, though no official announcement has been made by the organization. TUF 11 coaches Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz are currently expected to face off at the event, though there are rumors that the bout may not happen.
Penick's Analysis: This is unfortunate for Canadian fans who have been waiting for this event and expecting it to come to British Columbia. Montreal remains the only Canadian city the UFC has held an event, and they're getting a third show this May. With Ontario not getting any closer to regulating the sport as well there's a large segment of the country, one which boasts some of the UFC's most ardent fans, that still don't get the benefit of a live event.
Hopefully things can get worked out for the organization to run an event in the city later in the year or in 2011, but this has simply got to be disheartening news for all those that were expecting the event to take place in Canada. The Cincinnati location, however, may be a clue to Rich Franklin's possible involvement in the event, which has been rumored for both a fight with Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture.
RELATED STORY: Dana White says Rich Franklin vs. Randy Couture is coming, not Franklin-Liddell: [CLICK TO READ FULL STORY]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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