Texas Bringing Back MMA, Live Spectators

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Mixed martial arts (MMA) is making its way back to “The Lone Star State” as Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) recently began accepting licensure requests for combat sports. In addition, the commission will also approve live spectators for up to 50 percent of the venue’s listed capacity.

That’s according to a report from MMA Junkie.

That doesn’t mean fans can buy a ticket and just stroll right in. Safety protocols will be put into place in response to COVID-19 including (but not limited to) temperature screenings, site disinfecting, and protective equipment.

TDLR also reserves the right to cancel an event in the wake of a local outbreak.

“We’ve received several other requests for later dates in other parts of the state and are evaluating the protocols they have submitted,” a TDLR rep told Nolan King. “We will not schedule multiple events on the same night as we did in the past, at least when we first get going again.”

As of this writing, eight events have already been submitted for the remainder of 2021.