As 2025 winds down, Dana White & Co. aren’t slowing down. After a decade-long return to Montreal and a debut in Azerbaijan, the UFC is taking its show global like never before. And its next stop? Qatar. On November 22, the promotion will host its first-ever event in the desert nation, adding another stamp to its ever-growing international passport. And the globe-trotting doesn’t stop there—South Africa and Spain are already on Dana White’s radar, long-awaited destinations that could finally see the octagon land.
But one prized location has stayed off the map for years: Hawaii, the Paradise of the Pacific. Technically part of the U.S., physically worlds away, the islands have produced legends like BJ Penn and Max Holloway. Despite repeated calls from local fighters, Dana White has held back. The obstacles are real—limited infrastructure, logistical headaches, and unpredictable rain have kept Hawaii in the UFC’s uncharted territory. Now, the tide may be turning.
Max Holloway’s UFC Hawaii dream boosted as governor updates Dana White deal
Hawaii has steadily upgraded its sports infrastructure, and a recent charity meeting between Dana White, Max Holloway, and Governor Josh Green turned a simple ‘donation’ into a potential gateway for UFC Hawaii, reigniting long-held hopes. During the meeting, the governor expressed “major interest” in bringing the UFC to the islands, signaling a serious push to finally put Hawaii on the promotion’s map.
The dream of a UFC event in Hawaii isn’t just alive—it rises like a phoenix from years of uncertainty, as Governor Green told KHON2, “We want to bring UFC to Hawaii. We’ve also talked to some of the benefactors of the UFC to do that. It’s not just going to be one fight. What we’d like to do is a partnership with UFC, where we can perhaps bring a training facility like they have in Las Vegas to the stadium district. I think it’s a very good plan for us. We’ll hash out these details in the coming months.”
Dana White’s long-standing concern over rain may finally fade. Authorities plan to replace the aging Aloha Stadium with a 20,000+ seat, state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility. Designed to host football, rugby, MMA, and more, the stadium will include modern amenities that withstand the elements and accommodate world-class UFC events. With a target completion set for 2029, the new stadium sets the stage for Hawaii to emerge as a major fight destination.
Furthermore, Hawaii’s tourism appeal strengthens the case. The islands previously welcomed Bellator, hosting six events before its merger into PFL, proving the market’s appetite for MMA. Even in 2019, Dana White made his intentions clear, pressing the Hawaii Tourism Board: “I want it, does the tourism board want it? Do they or do they not? If they do, we’ll come.” With all the pieces finally falling into place, UFC Hawaii may soon leap off the page and into reality.
The islands push to make Dana White & Co.’s dreams a reality
Staging fights in other states has long tested the UFC, a challenge Dana White and Co. know well after early setbacks. In those formative years, politics often worked against the promotion, and venue owners hesitated to open their doors. Over time, however, the UFC has solidified its position. Today, even the USA has reached out and invited them to organize an event at the White House, scheduled for next year on the eve of the Fourth of July, America’s 250th Independence Day.
Hawaii is actively working to make the islands fight-ready, though the path remains complex. Earlier this year, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 1027, aiming to establish a new combat sports commission under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). According to Senator Lorraine Inouye, in an interview with the Honolulu Civil Beat, the bill could help attract promotions like the UFC to Hawaii.
Still, the state faces significant hurdles. Past venues, such as the Neal S. Blaisdell Center—where Bellator once held events—rarely exceed 10,000 seats, and many other locations remain open-air, leaving events vulnerable to rain. This, in particular, has long been a major concern for Dana White. According to James Skizewski, Executive Officer of the DCCA’s current MMA program, the major obstacle stopping a UFC card from landing in Hawaii is the lack of venues capable of handling the scale and spectacle the promotion demands.
Looking ahead, a new venue expected to open in just over three years could finally provide the perfect stage for Max Holloway’s retirement. The lingering question, however, remains: will the 33-year-old Holloway still step into the octagon by then?