Vancouver approves mixed martial arts fights

GM Place could be hosting Vancouver's first large-scale mixed martial art event as early as June, after city councillors voted to sanction the events on Thursday.

The councillors decided to allow the controversial fights to proceed on a two-year pilot basis and asked city staff to report back to council in early 2012.

The vote was a split decision with three of the nine councillors present voting against the decision.

Earlier this year, the operators of Ultimate Fighting Championship said they had already booked General Motors Place for a fight in June.