Almost two weeks after footage was shared of a public physical altercation between Dana White and his wife, the UFC president has now detailed the 'punishment' he will face as a result.
On December 31, White and his wife, Anne, were involved in an altercation in the VIP section of El Squid Roe in Cabo San Lucas, as per TMZ.
The clip, which was filmed from the crowds below, shows the 53-year-old leaning down to say something to his wife while seemingly grabbing at her hands before she looks up and strikes him in the face.
In response, he slaps her back before the pair are quickly separated by people around them.
The incident immediately sparked backlash online, with many slamming White for his method of retaliation.
At the time, the UFC leader released a lengthy statement explaining his actions, adding that there was a lot of alcohol involved which subsequently led to the escalation of the situation.
Speaking to TMZ, he said: "My wife and I were out for New Year’s Eve, and, unfortunately, that’s what happened. I’m one of the guys, you’ve heard me say for years, there’s never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman. And, now here I am on TMZ talking about it."
"I’m embarrassed," he continued. "But it’s also one of those situations where right now we’re more concerned about our kids. We’ve shown the kids the video, and we’re more focused on our family right now.
"There was definitely a lot of alcohol involved, but that’s no excuse," he added. "I literally am making no excuses for this thing at all. It’s never happened before. It’s the first time it’s ever happened. People are gonna say what they’re gonna say. It is what it is, and whatever people do say, it’s deserved. I deserve it."
His wife also doubled down on this response, stating that this was totally "out of character for him", also adding that the pair have talked through the incident and apologized to each other.
Now, almost two weeks on, White has confirmed that he is not stepping away from UFC.
According to the New York Post, the 53-year-old told reporters that it was a "horrible personal experience."
"One thing I do want to clarify... is the people that are defending me. There’s never an excuse. I’m sure you guys have read some of the same stuff that I’ve seen. There’s no defense for this. People should not be defending me, no matter what. All the criticism that I’ve received this week, and will receive in the future, is 100 percent warranted," he stated.
White was then asked if he would be facing any punishment for his behavior to which he replied: "What should the repercussions be? You tell me. I take 30 days off?
"How does that hurt me?", he continued. "Me leaving hurts the company? Hurts my employees. Hurts the fighters. Doesn’t hurt me. I could have left in 2016. Do I need to reflect? No, I don’t need to reflect. I own this. I’m telling you that I’m wrong."
When referring to his punishment, he said the label now placed on him is what he deserves.
"I’ve got to walk around for however long I live — is it 10.4 years or another 25 years? — and this is how I’m labeled now.
"My other punishment is that I’m sure a lot of people, whether it be media, fighters, friends, acquaintances who had respect for me might not have respect for me now. There are a lot of things I’m gonna have to deal with for the rest of my life that are much more of a punishment than, what, I take a 30-60-day absence?"
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