TEXAS – Businesses in Texas are now permitted to operate at 100% occupancy and the statewide mask order is rescinded, per Gov. Greg Abbott’s most recent executive order. The occupany rule includes sporting events. 

The Texas Rangers on Wednesday announced every seat at Globe Life Field in Arlington will be available on opening day, April 5.

Now it looks like the next big event in Texas might be MMA.

According to the website MMA Fighting, the only thing standing in the way of a UFC event in either the Dallas area or Houston is the application process. That, the report states, comes from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which regulates MMA fights in Texas.

However, recent comments from UFC president Dana White are casting some doubt on the event, which could occur as soon as March 27.

“He (Gov. Abbott) wants to open Texas, he wants all businesses to resume, but these mayors in these towns feel differently,” White is quoted in MMA Fighting. “So, it’s unfortunate. The governor is announcing that Texas is open. Texas isn’t open.”

White went on to say that a recent discussion with Dallas city officials resulted in an immediate “no.” However, a spokesperson for Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams said she was not aware of restrictions that would prohibit the event from taking place at AT&T Stadium, which is set to host Monster Jam on March 27.

Gov. Abbott certainly doesn’t object, on Wednesday tweeting, “The @UFC is considering an event in Texas. Bring it. That would be awesome.”

TDLR spokesman Tela Mange told MMA Fighting that if such an event were to take place in Texas, facial coverings would not be required but strongly encouraged.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misidentified the mayor of Arlington as Eric Johnson, who is, in fact, mayor of Dallas. The mayor of Arlington is Jeff Willliams. The error has been corrected. (March 11, 2021)

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