UFC Targets Texas - MMAUniverse.com

The UFC is headed to Texas!

As part of an aggressive campaign to expand the flagship brand of mixed martial arts, Ultimate Fighting Championship likely will stage its first event in the Lone Star State early next year.

"We have plans for either Houston or Dallas in early 2007," said Marc Ratner, the former executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission who joined UFC in May to spearhead regulatory efforts. "Texas is a hotbed for mixed martial arts. We have to find the right time for it, but we are definitely going to bring a show to Texas."

Mixed martial arts and UFC in particular are exploding in popularity. MMA blends the disciplines of boxing, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, karate and wrestling into action-packed combat that's punching and kicking its way into the mainstream of American sports.

UFC has been playing to packed houses in Las Vegas for years. However, it's been the wildly successful Ultimate Fighter reality television show that has taken UFC off the Strip and into living rooms across the country. The series expanded UFC's fan base, composed mainly of men ages 18 to 34, and paved the way for live events in California earlier this year.

UFC 59 in Anaheim sold out in three weeks, while UFC 60 in Los Angeles took in a gate of nearly $3 million. A similar reception is expected in Texas.

"Expanding to Texas is a natural," said Ratner. "Houston and Dallas are major-league cities. When you look at the pay-per-view numbers, there is a big contingent of people who buy out of the state of Texas.

"To really grow the sport, we don't want to be regionalized in Las Vegas or California. Our goal is to bring it to the Southwest and then the Northeast. We'll have over 20 events next year."

MMA, which is governed in the state by many of the same standards that are in place for boxing, has been sanctioned in Texas for years. However, it wasn't until February that a rule was passed allowing for use of 4-ounce gloves, which is the UFC standard. Previously, MMA fights in Texas had to wear 8-ounce gloves.

UFC officials have had discussions with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation about staging its cards in the state, and Ratner described the commission's reception as "150 percent in favor" of it.

"Mixed martial arts is really coming into its own, and we're pleased when the sports we regulate flourish," said Patrick Shaughnessy, spokesman for the agency.

Several MMA events have been held in Texas, but they have been of minor-league ilk featuring nascent fighters in front of sparse crowds.

UFC's entry to Texas would bring the Super Bowl of MMA to Texas for the first time.

"The sky's the limit for the UFC, and we think we'll have big crowds in Texas," said Ratner.

Source: The Chronicle