UFC President Dana White

By Michael Hatamoto

The UFC continues an effort to expand globally, but making a move to the island state of Hawaii isn’t coming any time soon, according to UFC President Dana White.

Here is what White recently said to the media, after confirming “it’s going to be a while” before the UFC ventures to Hawaii:

“I’d love to go to Hawaii.  I’d love to go there and do an event.  It kind of scares me to be outside.  It rains every 15 minutes out there.  It’s not in our plans right now.”

Hawaii helped foster the growth of Rumble on the Rock, Icon, ProElite, and Super Brawl, with a small handful of pro MMA fighters finding success on the main island.  BJ Penn, the most notable Hawaiian pro fighter, has briefly campaigned to headline an event in his home state – but as the former champion’s career winds to a close, that seems rather unlikely.

I think it’s a shame the UFC won’t bring an event to Hawaii – where locals are often avid fans – but a future effort may be possible in 2013.