Dana White has ruled out staging a UFC event in Hawaii.

The UFC were looking into staging an event there in the future after a billed was passed regulating MMA from July 1, 2009.

Earlier this year, White was quoted as saying on the prospect of running in Hawaii: “When we do, do an outdoor, big stadium, it will definitely be Hawaii.”

But those plans have been thrown out of the window, with White saying that such a show would be too expensive.

The UFC President was in Hawaii to promote January 31’s fight between champions BJ Penn and George St-Pierre.

He told Honolulu’s Star Bulletin: “We finally get some regulations and they slap this huge tax on us that’s out of control, so probably never.

“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 bill regulating MMA in Hawaii has already hurt local MMA promotions, including Icon Sport, which held what could be its last show back August after an 11-year run.

“Greed got involved and it’s a travesty,” added Penn. “The real travesty of the whole situation is the children who love fighting and train in people’s gyms and love fighting now have people coming in who know nothing about the sport step in and ruin it for the kids.

“They really should step back and think about what they are doing, forget about the greed factor, and step up and let the sport grow and flourish instead of being greedy.”

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com