UFC 115 Headed to Cincinnati? (Update)

The troubles for UFC 115 in Vancouver continue.

Neil Davidson reports that UFC 115 will not take place in Vancouver:

A source told The Canadian Press that the show has been called off and the mixed martial arts promoter is looking at Cincinnati as a possible replacement city.

There were previous reports about trouble for the UFC in their attempt to hold an event in Vancouver.

UFC 115 is rumored to be headlined by either Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Oritz Rich Franklin or Rich Franklin vs. Randy Couture.

Cincinnati seems like a probably destination as Rich Franklin is a 'Nati native and the U.S. Bank Arena would most likely be available in June. 

The Ohio Athletic Commission was not available for an official comment when reached for comment (Wait a second. WKR actually attempting journalism, who knew?).

Update: OAC Executive Director, Bernie Profato, (or at least his email address) responded to the rumor via email:

We have not had any direct contact with the UFC and have only heard rumors. As soon as we hear something we will post it on our website. It would be GREAT to have them back in Ohio.

Update #2: The Canadian Press has several on the record accounts (including the UFC's regulatory guru, Marc Ranter) regarding the above report:

"The demise of the fight has been greatly exaggerated," Marc Ratner told The Canadian Press from Las Vegas on Tuesday. "And we are still working on it.

"We're working with the mayor, with the city council, trying to come to an agreement and I still feel strongly, as I've been saying over and over again, I'm still bullish on June 12 as the date."

That's encouraging news to Vancouver officials like Coun. Kerry Jang, who was caught by surprise by reports Monday that the show was on rocky ground.

"We didn't hear anything directly (from the UFC)," he said. "My phone lit up and I went 'What the heck?"'

For what it is worth WKR put in a request for a comment from Zuffa and received no answer. 

Update #3: UFC 115 is a go....for Vancouver....*pours beer out for the 'Nati*

The fight promotion juggernaut had given the city until end of business today to put its fears of legal calamity to rest and allow the event to go ahead, and that pressure appears to have paid off as UFC President Dana White has reportedly told the Canadian Press that the event is on as scheduled.

The Vancouver Athletic Commission held a three-hour meeting Tuesday night of which VAC commissioner Mirko Mladenovic said "We really went into it with the city last night, started kicking some backside."