UFC plans to invade Hawaii sometime in 2009 put on hold ... perhaps indefinitely

by MMAmania.com on Nov 23, 2008 6:27 PM EST

ufc envent in hawaii 2008 aloha stadium
Not too long ago Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) had big bad plans to stage a blockbuster outdoor event in Hawaii for the first time ever, smashing the record for the largest MMA crowd to attend a show in the "Aloha State".

The K-1: "World Grand Prix Hawaii" event at Aloha Stadium in 2005, which drew 12,000 fans to watch its native son BJ Penn defeat Renzo Gracie, is the show to beat.

And it appears that it could remain that way for a very long time because the UFC has put its plans on hold, according to the company president while in town to promote UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" on January 31.

Dana White indicated that even though regulation is finally right around the corner (July 2009) the prospect of staging a show in the Hawaii is now too expensive thanks to a huge tax that was tacked on to the bill.

"We finally get some regulations and they slap this huge tax on us that's out of control, so probably never," White recently told that Star Bulletin. "I guess it's their way of saying 'OK, we'll sanction this, but we'll make sure nobody ever shows up and comes and does an event here.'"

The article indicates that already the bill is hurting other smaller promotions that operate on the islands, including Icon Sport. That's bad news for fans located there -- Hawaii is known for its "fighting culture" and appreciation of the sport.

But perhaps some records are indeed made to not be broken.

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Comments

tax blows

by brendan on Nov 23, 2008 6:28 PM EST reply actions

aloha stadium in hawaii! i’ve to hawaii once and thats the best place in the world to put on a outdoor ufc.. it would be worth the spending on the tax blow.

by mikeybear on Nov 23, 2008 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

The only person that benefits from this is Kenny Florian. I thought the UFC was going to give BJ a title defense against Kenny in Hawaii….Kenny might have gotten Killed because I dont think its possible for Penn to loos4e a fight in Hawaii!

by john on Nov 24, 2008 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

bj fighting in hawaii would definitely draw.

by Toad on Nov 23, 2008 6:30 PM EST reply actions

should never say “never”. who knows maybe dana says this stuff publicly to get some attention. Seems like he needs a better approach though when speaking at press conferences. If the Fitch incident taught us anything, its that dana doesnt have enuff patience. I think the frettitas will take a more prominent role soon.

by bobby o'shea on Nov 23, 2008 6:36 PM EST reply actions

Wow! An article about Hawaii officials taxing MMA and you somehow manage to still bash Dana.

by Diesel Power on Nov 23, 2008 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

Well given the way he’s acted for years it’s not difficult. I’m not talking about this case specifically but look at the evidence, the guy acts more like a thug than a businessman.

by bobby o'shea on Nov 23, 2008 11:10 PM EST up reply actions

Sayin never and being this negative about it could be his way of exciting the hawaii’ns over there to get up and do something to help make it happen, to fight this tax thing. Who knows.

by The Anomaly on Nov 23, 2008 6:40 PM EST reply actions

my thoughts exactly. Also i don’t think doing an economic study like in New York won’t work because the hawaiians know how much $ is involved and they want a piece of that pie. It’s all up to the people to get this thing revoked.

by NameNotRequired on Nov 23, 2008 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

Moderater=Sticky keys

by Mrs.Featherbottom on Nov 23, 2008 6:57 PM EST reply actions

Hawaii for the loose!! Sry, too much Shitdog! For the lose!!@!

by Mrs.Featherbottom on Nov 23, 2008 6:58 PM EST reply actions

it’s bad, they bring alot money when they come 2 town, So i guess it’s hawaiis loss.

by big billy on Nov 23, 2008 6:59 PM EST reply actions

Dana mentioned the same thing when they were in Toronto. He said the tax situation would keep a show from happening there anytime soon.

by Shadyone33 on Nov 23, 2008 9:12 PM EST reply actions

Im suprised the UK doesnt have some tax on events as we are taxed so much here its a joke!

by Tony on Nov 23, 2008 9:48 PM EST reply actions

i think Dana said that to stir the whole situation up .let everybody think ‘oh damm’ then six months later one of Dana’s big announcement’s ‘we ARE going to the aloha stadium’ then everybody’s like jumping up and down going FUCXING A mark my words .they have the money to pull something like that off .but i still think that the first big stadium gig for the ufc will be CANADA or WEMBLEY in London..love to all around the world you mma fans

by mikemmafan on Nov 24, 2008 2:45 AM EST reply actions