The Weekly Wrap: June 5 - June 11

The Weekly Wrap walks readers through the last seven days in MMA, recapping and putting into context the week's top story, important news and notable quotes.

Top Story

The Ultimate Fighting Championship set the stage for its debut in Vancouver, a card that, despite selling out faster than any event in company history, needs to overcome anxieties and skepticism of local officials and media to secure a future in the key Canadian city.

UFC 115 on Saturday, headlined by Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin, sold out in 30 minutes in April, faster than any card in UFC history, for a gate that looks to be north of $4 million. After a protracted negotiation with city officials -- at one point the show was set to be moved to Ohio -- the UFC got into the city on a two-year trial basis per a vote of the city council and advocacy by the mayor.

There were several reports that the city, nervous about injuries to fighters, demanded the UFC carry so much insurance -- perhaps as much as $12 million -- for the show that it may not make much of a profit. UFC President Dana White predicted local opposition and the insurance requirements would pipe down after the company runs a successful event. UFC Director of Canadian Operations Tom Wright predicted the UFC would likely hold one of its three annual Canada cards in Vancouver.

While the card sold out briskly, it appears that was more an indication of opportunistic scalpers trying to capitalize on a novelty than on-the-ground fan interest. The Vancouver Sun reported that marked-up tickets immediately began showing up on ticket brokering sites after the April on-sale, and that prices have been dropping ever since; the cheapest seats on Stub Hub dropped from $265 to $65. While the UFC rakes in sellout cash regardless, it is not a sure thing that the 19,000-seat General Motors Place will be filled to capacity on Saturday. The event will be the UFC’s second to air in movie theatres; NCM Fathom will screen the card in 343 theatres, slightly less than the 370 that carried UFC 111.

Hosting UFC for the first time, the Vancouver Athletic Commission received added attention in who they assigned as judges and referees. UFC veteran and British Columbia native Bill Mahood will get a judging assignment in the main event, alongside veterans Nelson “Doc” Hamilton and Sal D’Amato. Fellow UFC veteran Lance Gibson will also serve as a judge, as will veteran local fighter Chris Franco.

The UFC launched its usual go-home marketing push this week for the pay-per-view, but it came with a twist. The final episode of “The Ultimate Fighter 11” aired Wednesday on Spike TV; it was the one episode pitting Franklin as a coach against Liddell. Franklin was shown signing the UFC 115 bout agreement, as he replaced injured coach Tito Ortiz four days before the series finished filming on March 2. Franklin’s fighter, Kris McCray, defeated Liddell’s fighter, Josh Bryant, to win a berth into the finale against Court McGee. The dynamic was strange, as Liddell said it would be tough going from “fighting a guy I hate to one of the nicest guys in the sport.”

A “Countdown to UFC 115” special aired on Versus and Spike TV, spotlighting the main event, as well as Mirko Filipovic vs. Patrick Barry and Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald.

The special focused on Liddell’s return, though it did not include any footage of his recent losses that led to retirement talk. Called “the first major mixed martial arts star around the world,” Liddell was shown with girlfriend Heidi Northcott, who was credited with keeping Liddell on the straight-and-narrow and making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating at a vegetarian restaurant. Franklin was shown returning to his Cincinnati training regimen under Jorge Gurgel after a stint under Matt Hume in Seattle. Franklin said he plans to work feints and jabs to set up inside kicks in the fight.

In interviews, White said Liddell would retire if he lost to Franklin, though clearly such decisions are outside his control, as he insisted Liddell was done after his loss last April to Mauricio Rua. White took a softer stance later in the week, citing Liddell’s improved lifestyle, which started with his stint on “Dancing with the Stars.” White told a Baltimore radio station the winner of the fight could face Forrest Griffin next.

The “Countdown” show did an exceptional job profiling the charismatic and quick-witted Barry, interviewing his mother and brother and delving into his New Orleans upbringing, from his boyhood ninja aspirations to the kickboxing fight club he helped start at the University of New Orleans. Grainy footage of Barry’s first three MMA fights was featured; it saw him throw six total kicks toward first-round finishes.

All UFC 115 fighters made weight on Friday. Liddell and Franklin each checked in at 205 pounds.