UFC about to get a whole lot bigger thanks to Texas

Marc Ratner is waging war on multiple fronts to expand the UFC.

Now he's set his sights on the Lone Star State – Texas – to hold a mixed martial arts event in early 2007, according to an article today in the Houston Chronicle.

Here's a snip from Ratner:

"We have plans for either Houston or Dallas in early 2007. 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."

Apparently, the only thing keeping the UFC out of Texas was the use of 4-ounce gloves. MMA has been sanctioned in Texas for years, but only this past February was a rule passed allowing for use of the lighter gloves. Previously, MMA fighters in Texas had to wear 8-ounce gloves.

That's good news for the UFC and its surging mob of devoted fans.