Dana White teases UFC Finally going to Hawaii as new Arena takes Shape. Hawaii could finally be getting its long-awaited UFC event. Despite producing some of the biggest names in MMA, including former UFC champions Max Holloway and B.J. Penn, Hawaii has never hosted a UFC event. Dana White now believes that could finally change.
Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, the UFC CEO was asked where he would love to take the promotion next. His answer was Hawaii. White explained that the biggest obstacle has been infrastructure, but a new stadium currently under construction could finally provide the UFC with a suitable venue.
“One of our biggest markets since day one has been Hawaii and we’ve still never put on an event in Hawaii,” White said. “We’ve had multiple world champions from Hawaii. The infrastructure there can’t support a UFC event. But now they’re building a new arena there. Supposed to be done in [2028, 2029]. “I like destinations where people [want to go]. When we do UFC Hawaii, people will lose their minds. Who doesn’t want to go to UFC Hawaii? And every staff member I have working is going to want to work that event.”
The project White referred to is the New Aloha Stadium in Hālawa, Oʻahu, part of the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. The new multi-purpose stadium is currently projected to open in March 2029 and is designed with 31,000 seats. While the venue is being developed primarily to host University of Hawaiʻi football, its multi-purpose design could make it suitable for major sporting and entertainment events including a potential UFC event. However, the UFC has not officially announced an event at the stadium.
White believes a UFC event in Hawaii would be unlike an ordinary Fight Night. He described Hawaii as an ideal destination and predicted that fans would go crazy when the UFC finally makes the trip and it is easy to understand why.
Hawaii has a deep MMA culture and has produced legendary fighters such as Holloway, Penn and former UFC heavyweight Travis Browne. A UFC event featuring Hawaiian stars or even a major title fight could turn into one of the promotion’s most anticipated destination events.
