Editors’ note: This story contains accounts of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or at https://www.thehotline.org/.
With the UFC reeling from president Dana White’s physical altercation with his wife, Anne, on New Year’s Eve, White addressed the media about the incident ahead of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
“People should not be defending me over this thing, no matter what,” White told reporters. “All the criticism that I have received this week is 100% warranted and will receive in the future.”
TMZ published video Jan. 2 of the Whites arguing at a resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on New Year’s Eve. In the video, Dana appeared to grab Anne’s wrists while both were intoxicated; Anne slapped him in the face, and Dana slapped her back.
Dana told TMZ the incident was “horrible,” while Anne said in a statement that, “We’ve talked this through as a family and apologized to each other. I just hope people will respect our privacy for the sake of our kids.”
Repeating that the altercation was “a horrible personal experience,” White urged UFC fighters not to defend his actions and insisted, “There aren’t two sides to this story. Only my side.”
Additionally, White told reporters he will receive no further punishment for his actions.
“I have to walk around for however long I live—10.4 years or another 25 years—and this is how I’m labeled now,” he said.
The confrontation set off a firestorm of criticism, and led to the delay of White’s new slap-fighting promotion, Power Slap.
