Dana White says fans will 'lose their minds' for UFC Hawaii

UFC President Dana White has expressed enthusiasm about staging the promotion's first-ever event in Hawaii, a longtime major market the organization has never hosted despite producing multiple world champions from the islands.

During an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," White cited inadequate existing infrastructure as the primary barrier preventing a Hawaii event. However, he noted that a new arena slated for completion in 2028–29 could change that calculus. "One of our biggest markets since day one has been Hawaii, and we've still never put on an event in Hawaii," White said. "The infrastructure there can't support a UFC event. But now they're building a new arena there."

White emphasized the appeal of taking the promotion to such a desirable destination. "I like destinations where people want to go," he said. "When we do UFC Hawaii, people will lose their minds. Who doesn't want to go to UFC Hawaii? So when I think about UFC Hawaii, that will be a fun one." The new arena's completion could finally enable the UFC to capitalize on Hawaii's passionate fanbase and world champion history.