UFC President Dana White Slaps His Wife, Later Apologises: Would That Be Enough?

This week, TMZ published a video showing the UFC president punching his wife. In question was a New Year’s Eve celebration that Dana White and his wife Anne attended in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

UFC President Dana White Slaps His Wife, Later Apologises: Would That Be Enough?

In the footage, the two can be seen bickering over alcohol before Anne slaps the 53-year-old, who then strikes her back. Dana White has since apologised for his behaviour in a conversation with TMZ:

“There was definitely a lot of alcohol involved, but that’s no excuse. I am making no excuses for this at all. It’s never happened before. It was the first time. I don’t know why it happened. My wife and I apologised to each other. We apologised to our kids.”

This is the Dana White video in question for those who missed it. Pick an athlete, owner or coach in ANY other sport that could be caught on video slapping their wife and it just kinda goes away. pic.twitter.com/wwyw6M7Q2P

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) January 3, 2023

The 26-year-married UFC boss and Anne White were having a good time on Saturday night with pals at El Squid Roe, but things changed not long after they all rang in 2023 at midnight.

When Dana leaned over to speak to Anne while they were in a VIP section above the dance floor, she reacted by smacking him across the face. Friends then intervened and pulled them apart, all in full view of the customers below. Dana hit her back in the face right away.

We've been told to not write anything incendiary on social media about the Dana White situation, and I understand why and have abided by that. I just ask y'all to understand that some of us at ESPN do not have as soft a take as this on domestic violence. https://t.co/yE7zPe4fxM

— Jeff Wagenheim (@jeffwagenheim) January 5, 2023

In the club, witnesses tell TMZ Sports… The footage appears to confirm that Dana White and Anne were both highly intoxicated before the violence, as things went from zero to 100 in an instant — seemingly for no reason. Further, we’re told the conflict was all over in less than a minute.

Journalist Karim Zidan of The Guardian questioned if White should continue to lead the UFC in his column after the TMZ footage went public.

Ariel Helwani talks Dana White
Thread#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/aY5OmPiIQ8

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 4, 2023

Dana White’s decision to physically assault his wife “raises questions about whether the UFC president is fit to continue heading the world’s largest mixed martial arts organisation,” Zidan said. “Despite White’s attempt to control the narrative.”

“It’s hard to picture a commissioner of a large sports league, like the NBA or NFL, punching their partner without suffering serious repercussions.

“Though the UFC’s treatment of domestic abuse allegations has been, at best, spotty, it is unlikely that White will suffer repercussions for his behaviour. White asserts that boxers “never bounce back” after striking women, although there are plenty of examples when UFC let go of such instances.