UFC boss Dana White apologizes for slapping his wife of 26 years in the face at a bar during a booze-fueled New Year’s Eve party in Mexico: ‘There was never, ever an excuse… it was terrible’
Dana White has apologized after he was filmed slapping his wife Anne in the face during a row at a club in Mexico on New Year’s Eve.
The 53-year-old White, who is worth an estimated $500million after building the UFC into a global money-spinning franchise, has been married to his wife for 26 years, since 1996, and they have three children. together.
They celebrate New Year’s Eve at El Squid Roe in Cabo San Lucas. The video shows White appearing to say something to Anne, who reacts by slapping her. He then slapped her on the back before the couple separated.
UFC boss Dana White has apologized for slapping his wife on New Year’s Eve
White said he had no excuse for his actions and said he was ’embarrassed’ about the clip
Speaking to TMZ about the incident, the UFC boss said: ‘My wife and I were out on Saturday night on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, that’s what happened.
‘I’m one of those people who says there is never, ever a reason for a man to put his hands on a woman and now here I am on TMZ talking about it.
‘It’s one of those situations that’s horrible. I’m ashamed. We have three kids and since the video popped up, we have shown the kids and we are more focused on our family right now.
‘People will have their opinions about it and people’s opinions will be right, especially in my case. You don’t put your hands on a woman, ever.’
White has been married to his partner Anne for 26 years and the couple have three children
His wife Anne was quoted by TMZ as saying: ‘To say this is out of character for him is an understatement – nothing like this has ever happened before.
‘Unfortunately, we both drank too much on New Year’s Eve and things got out of control, on both sides. We have discussed this as a family and apologized to each other.’
In 2014, White said there was no going back for UFC fighters who were violent towards women.
White – who has led the UFC since 2001 – has previously said there is no way back for fighters who are violent towards women
‘There’s one thing you’ll never get back and that’s putting your hands on a girl,’ he said. ‘I’ve been like that in the UFC since we started here. You’re not going back to putting your hands on a woman.’
Where White goes from here will be the focus of intense scrutiny in the coming days.
The next UFC card is set for January 14 in Las Vegas, where he is generally expected to attend in person.
‘My legacy and all this other work stuff means nothing to me,’ White added. ‘It’s about your family. It’s about your wife and children.’
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