What's preventing Vancouver from legalizing MMA? Inertia:
That's according to UFC vice-president Marc Ratner, who says that his group has already talked to GM Place about hosting an event there.
"We would love to go to Vancouver," Ratner said. "The problem is that until the province can properly regulate the sport of MMA, we won't be able to come.
"Vancouver is very much on radar."
Vancouver city council banned MMA in September 2007, citing risk-management and liability issues. Peter Ladner, who is running for mayor in the Nov. 15 municipal election, said, via a spokesman, that he'd like to see "provincial body providing insight."
There's been some talk of that in the MMA and boxing communities, but it appears to have gained little traction.
Calls to various provincial government offices proved fruitless. Attorney-General Wally Oppal's office knew nothing of it and forwarded the MMA questions back to the municipality.
Of course they didn't, but give credit where credit is due: the UFC is putting a ton of effort into getting the sport legalized in every major territory in North America. Obviously the degree to which they are successful varies, but I do not recall other large promotions contributing this significant a push towards legalization.