| UFC Event in Hawaii next year! |
Now, the man behind the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world is planning on holding a UFC event at Aloha Stadium some time next year.
"I’m working on that right now as a matter of fact," White said in an exclusive interview with the Star-Bulletin. "I’ve wanted to bring one there for a long time and now that we have acquired PRIDE, I think it’s the perfect time to do that big stadium because it would pull a lot of Americans and a lot of Japanese fans."
Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championships was recently purchased by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, the majority owners of the UFC. Notable PRIDE fighters, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop and Heath Herring, have already debuted in the UFC with more expected to come.
The Japanese interest in PRIDE, mixed with the recent rise to mainstream of the UFC in America, make now the time to hold an event in Hawaii.
"Next year, believe me," White said on when it would happen. "It will be our first outdoor fight. We’ve never done it before because it has always scared the (expletive) out of me."
Hilo’s BJ Penn, who will face Sean Sherk for the UFC lightweight championship in November, and Maui’s Kendall Grove, who fights next month, would be on the card barring unforeseen circumstances.
"I could fight there and then retire," Grove said. "To fight in the UFC in Hawaii in front of my people, it would be the best accomplishment of my life."
Big Draws
Largest crowds reported for MMA events in Hawaii
7/05: BJ Penn vs. Renzo Gracie, Aloha Stadium, 12,000
5/03: Masanori Suda vs. Egan Inoue, Blaisdell Arena, 8,000
11/04: BJ Penn vs. Rodrigo Gracie, Blaisdell Arena, 8,000
10/05: Mayhem Miller vs. Niko Vitale, Blaisdell Arena, 7,000
5/05: Tank Abbott vs. Cabbage Correira, Blaisdell Arena, 7,000
| " | "I could fight there and then retire," Grove said. "To fight in the UFC in Hawaii in front of my people, it would be the best accomplishment of my life." |
