Following years of progress and a world tour of distinctive locations which have hosted UFC occasions, Dana White nonetheless doesn’t foresee Hawaii as a contender.
The UFC definitely has not shied away from going state-to-state every year and giving many American followers the chance to observe the long-lasting promotion in individual.
White claims that Hawaii has been a longtime vacation spot he has tried to go to, however it’s not as straightforward as followers might assume, whereas addressing the difficulty following UFC Kansas City.
“Should you suppose again to the times with me and the Fertitta brothers, we at all times needed to do an occasion in Hawaii… All people needs to do the struggle in Hawaii,” said White in Kansas City on Saturday. “We may simply by no means get a deal carried out in Hawaii. I don’t see it taking place. And also you hear me, man. We’re going to Africa, we’re going to locations folks would by no means think about. However we will’t get Hawaii carried out.”
All through the years, the UFC has generated a few of Hawaii’s most iconic athletes of all time, they usually have spoken out in help of lastly internet hosting an occasion.
Former light-weight champion BJ Penn went above and past, going so far as promising ‘three UFC occasions a 12 months’ if he was elected as governor of Hawaii.
Hawaii favourite, Max Holloway headlined UFC Kansas Metropolis
Former featherweight champion Max Holloway has additionally passionately campaigned for a homecoming occasion.
The UFC veteran was as soon as once more victorious on Saturday evening in opposition to the harmful Englishman Arnold Allen.
To Holloway’s misfortune, a fighter who takes pleasure in his residence and described the importance of a Hawaii occasion a number of instances previously, it appears like all hope might as soon as once more return to sq. one.
Though a silver lining, on this case, could also be how Hawaii launched Senate Invoice 1027, a invoice looking for to provoke a brand new fight sports activities fee by the Division of Commerce and Shopper Affairs (DCCA).
Senator Lorraine Inouye believes the invoice may lastly persuade the UFC to land in Hawaii.
White has made it clear previously that he needs to offer Hawaii followers the occasion they’ve been eager for, however he has questioned the state’s motivation and lack of need to return to an settlement with the UFC.
As for Holloway, he might have simply catapulted himself again into title rivalry within the close to future, and the MMA group can ensure that he’ll be hoping for a change of setting earlier than he retires.
