Vancouver city council has voted to allow mixed martial arts fights in the city – but only under a two-year pilot project that will begin in the new year.
City council banned such matches in September, 2007. Vancouver had been waiting for the province to make a regulatory decision, but on Wednesday the provincial government said it was up to the city – at least for now.
With that decision in hand, councillors voted 6-3 in favour on Thursday of allowing the competitions to take place for two years, with a report due back to council in 2012.
At that time, council will reassess the risk of allowing the large events within the city.
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, who voted against the motion, said she is concerned that the city would put itself at risk if someone got hurt during one of the events, which Ontario's provincial sports regulating body has interpreted as illegal under the federal criminal code.
Vancouver city council heard from several speakers who touted the economic benefit of holding mixed-martial-arts matches, which can attract in excess of 20,000 fans. The city report stated that a large event at G.M. Place could bring in up to $4.7-million in extra spending.
One company, Ultimate Fighting Championships, said it wants to stage a match in June at GM Place.
