LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White claims to face by his phrases that “you by no means bounce again from placing your palms on a lady” but in addition signifies no repercussions, outdoors of a broken popularity, will come his means after he was caught on digital camera slapping his spouse in Mexico on New Yr’s Eve.
An elevated media presence was felt Wednesday on the UFC Apex forward of the promotion’s first occasion of the 12 months, as White took the stage for a information convention. It was the primary time White spoke publicly on the matter since an preliminary report of the incident by TMZ included a quick interview.
“What ought to the repercussions be? You inform me,” White informed reporters, together with MMA Junkie. “I take 30 days off? How does that harm me? I informed you guys once we have been going by means of COVID, COVID may final 10 years. I may sit it out. It’s very similar to COVID really. Me leaving hurts the corporate, hurts my workers, hurts the fighters. It doesn’t harm me. I may’ve left in 2016. You realize what I imply? I don’t know. Do I have to mirror? No, I don’t have to mirror. The following morning after I awoke (I mirrored). I’ve been in opposition to this. I’ve owned this. I’m telling you that I’m improper.
“However pay attention, we’ve had loads of discussions internally, with (Endeavor CEO) Ari (Emanuel), with ESPN. No one is completely satisfied. No one is completely satisfied about this. Neither am I. Nevertheless it occurred, and I’ve to take care of it. What’s my punishment? Right here’s my punishment: I’ve to stroll round for nonetheless lengthy I dwell – Is it 10.4 years, or is one other 25 years? – and that is how I’m labeled now. My different punishment is I’m positive lots of people, whether or not it’s media, fighters, pals, acquaintances, who had respect for me, won’t have respect for me now.”
Video of the incident confirmed White and his spouse, Anne, at a nightclub for a New Yr’s Eve celebration. The footage reveals White put his palms on Anne’s wrists throughout an argument. Moments later, Anne slapped White, who retaliated with two slaps of his personal and a shove to the bottom.
Because the incident, White has a acquired a shocking quantity of help – by his personal admission – on social media from followers and UFC fighters, who’ve said his spouse slapped first.
Nonetheless, White shot down these views.
“There’s just one facet of this,” White stated. “It’s my facet. There’s by no means a motive or an excuse for what occurred on New Yr’s Eve to ever occur – interval. I’m 53. I’ll be 54 this summer time. I’ve by no means completed it. I’ve by no means put my palms on a lady in my life, aside from my sister once we used to attempt to kill one another once we have been little. Aside from that, that is the primary time it’s ever occurred, and I assure you it’ll by no means occur once more. No one needs to be defending me. There aren’t two sides to the story. There’s solely my facet.”
Though White talked about inside discussions with Ari Emmanuel, CEO of UFC father or mother firm Endeavor, in addition to UFC broadcast accomplice ESPN, neither of these firms had issued a public assertion on the incident as of Wednesday afternoon.
White went on to reiterate that the bodily altercation together with his spouse was the primary of its variety. He stated his kids have been upset by the incident however that he and his spouse have figured issues out.
When requested if he or the UFC could be doing something to learn home violence causes, White stated there was loads of consciousness raised by the incident itself. He didn’t provide a transparent reply on how this can affect home violence points with UFC athletes going ahead.
“Hopefully all people has seen what’s happening with me, and hopefully this by no means occurs,” White stated. “However on the finish of the day, we’re all human beings. All of us make errors. All you are able to do is attempt to get better from the errors that you simply make in life. Yeah, I don’t know. I’m positive it’ll be on a case-by-case foundation. We’ve got lots of people round right here that make a variety of errors. I’m considered one of them.”
Gallery
Photographs: Dana White separates UFC fighters
