UFC a go in Vancouver thanks to mayor: promoter

While the City of Vancouver has yet to confirm that it has agreed to hold an Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament in the city this June, the event promoter reiterated Thursday that the mixed martial arts show will go ahead.

UFC president Dana White said Vancouver fans of UFC have Mayor Gregor Robertson to thank for ensuring UFC 115 wasn't cancelled, as looked to be the case in recent weeks.

"The mayor absolutely 100 per cent made this happen," White told The Canadian Press from Charlotte, N.C. "The people of Vancouver should thank him."

A city spokesman said the mayor would comment "once it's done."

"Once all of the t's are crossed and the i's dotted, then we'll certainly put folks up and be able to speak with you,"' said Wendy Stewart.

"But we're just waiting until the deal gets done, and we're very optimistic that it will be done."

The UFC's debut show in Vancouver, set for June 12 at GM Place, has been on again, off again in recent weeks, with the issue of whether the city will cover insurance for the event a major sticking point.

The mixed martial arts juggernaut applied pressure this week, giving the city 24 hours to sort out the outstanding issues and threatening to move the show to Cincinnati.

The Vancouver Athletic Commission met Tuesday to hammer out a solution.

Vancouver will be the second Canadian city to stage a UFC show.

The UFC has already held two cards in Montreal — UFC 83 and 97 — and plans a third — UFC 113 —  next month.

In December, Vancouver city councillors voted six to three to approve a two-year trial period for the sport, opening the door for a UFC show that could generate millions of dollars for the local economy.

But under the pilot program, promoters must ensure the city can't be held liable for damages.

White was in Charlotte to take in tryouts for Season 11 of The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show. The UFC held a televised show Wednesday night at the Bojangles Coliseum.