The first big UFC story of 2023 is one the company hopes to forget. UFC President Dana White has been doing the rounds after footage emerged of him striking his wife, Anne, at a New Year’s Eve party in Mexico.
Footage shows White and his wife on a nightclub balcony in what seems to be an argument. White then whispers something into his wife’s ear that visibly upsets her, causing her to strike her husband with an open-handed slap. White would retaliate with two slaps of his own as the two were momentarily separated by the end of the 46-second clip.
The video posted by TMZ Sports has already received a stunning amount of attention. White was quick to issue a statement, also acquired by TMZ Sports, and did not excuse himself or attempt to apologize for his behavior.
“I’m embarrassed… There was definitely a lot of alcohol involved, but there is no excuse,” said UFC President White.
Many ponder if UFC President Dana White will be removed for his conduct
Moments following the release of the footage, fans were quick to bring up White’s firing of commentator Dan Hardy for his alleged treatment of a female colleague in 2021.
Previous comments made by White about assaulting women have also come to haunt him. White made the following comments in 2014 following the arrest of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice due to a domestic violence incident:
‘We’ve been human beings in letting these guys, other guys make up for what they’ve done and come back. There’s one thing that you never bounce back from and that’s putting your hands on a woman. Been that way in the UFC since we started here. You don’t bounce back from putting your hands on a woman.’
The boisterous White has done plenty in the past to be a very public figure in the UFC, but the same cannot be said about his wife and family. With the recent issues now coming to light, it will put White in an uncomfortable position.
White is often confrontational with reporters who aren’t willing to kiss the ring, even going out of his way to make their lives a nightmare. Though much of that is about his nature of running the promotion, his public life is now fair game.
Whether or not this spells the end of White’s 22 year run as the President of UFC is to be seen.
