Dana White surprised the media with an appearance at UFC Vegas 67 media day this week to address the altercation with his wife from New Year’s Eve.
White was caught on video dancing with his wife Anne White in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico before being struck with a slap and retaliating with multiple of his own. The tune didn’t change for the UFC boss on media day, who continued to acknowledge his wrongdoings from his most recent vacation.
White noted how having to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life will far outweigh any direct punishment that could be handed out to him as UFC president. As of right now, no real repercussions have been imposed aside from Power Slap League’s TBS launch date getting delayed one week from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18.
There have been many supporters within the community of White’s actions despite the fact he’s reiterated what he did was indefensible and that he shouldn’t be defended. ESPN — the platform that carries the UFC — has received heaps of criticism since the altercation, including longtime personality Stephen A. Smith who clarified his initial comments yesterday.
“What I didn’t like about what Dana White did was how he was speaking about, ‘Okay, what would you have happen? What do you want me to do?’ I don’t think that was the thing to say. That’s No. 1,” Smith said on First Take.
“No. 2, I want to get into this ... I’ve already stated for the record, No. 1, I spoke to Dana White, Dana White knows exactly where I stand. He was wrong. You do not put your hands on a woman. Period. Okay? I also said that Dana White deserves the same punishment he would hand down to one of his fighters. Somebody would get suspended for six months. Somebody would get suspended for a year. You see what I’m saying? Now, am I an advocate for cancel culture where you want him to lose his job? No, and I’m not apologizing for that.”
The UFC’s Code of Conduct policy specifically highlights punishments to be enacted for domestic violence-related incidents, but going on a case-by-case basis doesn’t appear to have been utilized for several years. It’s not too late for anything additional to come of the White family incident, it’s just a matter of how and who it may come from.
“Married 27 years to his wife, his wife spoke about this issue as well,” Smith said. “They’re working it out as a family, it’s a family matter, it’s a private matter but became public. The fact of the matter is, at the end of the day, Dana White was wrong. You do not do what he did to his wife, which he has openly admitted. Does he deserve to be punished? Yes, he does. Does he deserve to be the person who decides what his punishment is? No, he does not. Somebody else needs to be able to make that call, which is what I said. I never said he should be allowed to punish himself.
“His punishment should fit what he would exact against other people. I don’t even think Dana White disagrees with that because I haven’t spoken to him since.”
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VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with Eric Nicksick.
UFC Vegas 67 promo.
UFC Vegas 67 fighters’ top finishes.
Free fight.
Best December Fight Pass moments.
PFL Europe.
UFC 281 highlights.
Cooking with Volk.
Bisping talks UFC’s greatest trilogies.
Fancy 2023 fights.
LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses if UFC would massively suffer if Dana White stepped away.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Not against it.
Where you at @JonnyBones?
— Ciryl Gane (@ciryl_gane) January 12, 2023
I'm free this March, Vegas pic.twitter.com/vc5i0UC07f
Hectic.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2023
They hear what they want to hear. The king ain’t going anywhere and once we figure things out on the doc side and then with the UFC either one of those side shows can get smoked. https://t.co/uNtJVqLIdZ
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2023
.@HenryCejudo Why you running Tubbs? I never said the fight is off! I’m handling my bicep with the UFC team and doctors. You can wait another month to get your kicked. Because if you lose to @SugaSeanMMA, kiss your chance goodbye to face the real King.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2023
I would when I defend the belt again. Just need to make sure I’m in shape and ready to go. This game isn’t always about the better athlete winning. Sometimes the cards need to all fall into the right place. https://t.co/iVIjgLfqhg
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 13, 2023
Something like that...
I swear this boy is possessed pic.twitter.com/zFySw3yZqn
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) January 12, 2023
I’m wicked Helen Jellers, bro.
Sittin in the @UFCPI next to my first favorite mma fighter. The guy I tried to emulate the most when I first picked up the gloves and discovered what mma was in 2012…
— Charles "InnerG" Johnson (@InnerGmma) January 12, 2023
“The Dominator” Champ @ufc @DominickCruz
Dreams do come true
❤️ ☠️ #chasethedream #catchthevision pic.twitter.com/RsdubgeOdJ
Not bad.
Ciryl Gane’s impression of Nate Diaz pic.twitter.com/RmOaVF2eRa
— MMA mania (@mmamania) January 12, 2023
Cowboy.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jordan Wright (12-4) vs. Zac Pauga (6-1); UFC Vegas 69, Feb. 18
Alex Caceres (20-13) vs. Nate Landwehr (16-4); UFC San Antonio, March 25
Gegard Mousasi (49-8-2) vs. Fabian Edwards (11-2); Bellator Paris, May 12
Sidney Outlaw (16-5) vs. Mansour Barnaoui (20-4); Bellator Paris, May 12
Saul Rogers (15-5) vs. Davy Gallon (21-8-2); Bellator Paris, May 12
Thibault Gouti (16-6) vs. Kane Mousah (14-4); Bellator Paris, May 12
A.J. McKee (20-1) vs. Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (24-11); Bellator TBD
FINAL THOUGHTS
Happy Friday, gang. We’re back to our regularly scheduled MMA programming this week. Enjoy it and party on. Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
Poll
Will Dana White be dealt an official punishment for his actions on New Year’s Eve?
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