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There was a chance that UFC fans could’ve seen fans in the arenas for stateside events in the coming weeks after the state of Texas lifted the capacity limits for businesses.
However, various mayors from certain towns won’t allow arenas to be fully packed and that may have deterred the UFC from running events in Texas for the time being.
“The governor is claiming that Texas is open, I talked to him. He wants to open Texas, he wants all businesses to resume, but these Mayors in these towns feel differently. So, it’s unfortunate,” White said at the UFC 259 post-fight press conference (via Bloody Elbow).
“The governor’s announcing that Texas is open. Texas isn’t open. As frustrating as it is… I’m ready to go. I will move March 27th to Texas today if one of these places would open, but they’re not doing it. But at the end of the day, oh well, we’ll all just stay here at the APEX.”
The UFC did have crowds for their last run on Fight Island, but no fans have attended stateside events since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
White also credits the UFC Apex and Fight Island for allowing the promotion to run events during the pandemic.
“I don’t know if you guys are getting as comfy here as I am and as lazy,” White said. “It’s pretty easy to swing over here and just walk in and to what we do here. So we can do this forever and yes, the APEX is one of the smartest things we’ve done in 20 years.
“Timing was everything in life. This place was done just in time for a global pandemic.
“This and Fight Island was a really big deal. We can only do so many fights here before we burn out all the American talent and you have to start having international fights. And we would’ve been in big trouble without Fight Island.”
