White eyes sold-out event in Texas as state eases restrictions

Dana White is aiming to sell out a UFC event in the U.S. in the near future.

The UFC president said Thursday he wants to hold an event in Texas with fans in attendance after the state recently eased its COVID-19 restrictions.

"Dallas said no, and I'm working on Houston, so we'll see if we can get Houston done," White said at the UFC 259 prefight press conference.

"I want to go to Texas ASAP. I'll go in the next two, three weeks. I'm ready to roll. We'll be first. We'll open this thing up. We'll sell it out and be on our way."

White added that he would be willing to move UFC 260, which is currently slated for Las Vegas on March 27, to Texas if a deal was finalized in time to do so.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the state's mask mandate earlier this week and will allow most businesses to open at 100% capacity beginning next Wednesday.

Texas is one of the states hit hardest by COVID-19, with over 2.6 million cases and more than 44,000 related deaths statewide, according to National Public Radio.

The UFC has staged most of its events during the pandemic in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A limited number of fans were allowed at the promotion's three Fight Island events in January, but none have been permitted at a UFC event in the U.S. since last March.