Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has shed new light on the public altercation he had with his wife, Anne White, on New Year’s Eve 2022. While the incident itself garnered significant media attention, White’s recent comments on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast reveal a deeper focus on the impact this event had on his family, particularly his children.
A Public Incident with Lasting Repercussions
In December 2022, a video surfaced online capturing a heated argument between Dana White and a woman, later confirmed to be his wife, Anne, at a bar in Mexico. The video showed White striking the woman across the face. This incident sparked immediate outrage and controversy, dominating headlines for days. White quickly issued a public statement acknowledging the incident, taking full responsibility for his actions, and emphasizing that there is “never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman.”
Beyond the Headlines: The Impact on Family
While the public outcry surrounding the incident was significant, White, during his recent podcast appearance, revealed that his primary concern was for his children. Host Shannon Sharpe directly addressed the incident, stating, “That had to be the toughest time that you had ever gone through in your life.” White’s surprising response, however, highlighted the true emotional toll on his family: “It wasn’t. COVID was. Yeah, COVID was way tougher than that.”
White elaborated, emphasizing the importance of addressing the situation within the family unit: “It wasn’t about getting through it publicly. It was about getting through it personally with my kids.” He went on to express that the public nature of the incident had a devastating impact on his children, stating, “Me and my wife, we’re fine… The kids had never seen that before. It was on the world stage, we embarrassed them, you know. And no kids want to see that shit with your parents.”
The focus on his children underscores White’s desire to compartmentalize the public perception of the incident from the need to heal within his family. He expressed a belief that those close to him understood the true nature of his relationship with his wife: “Everybody else can go fuck themselves, OK. It had nothing to do with them. It was about my family. That’s what’s important. The people who know me and know her [his wife], they know us and we’re fine. It was my kids. That was something personal between me and my family.”
Facing Public Scrutiny and Moving Forward
White acknowledged the ongoing public discussion surrounding the altercation, stating, “People still talk about it and I would have an opinion too. I would have an opinion seeing that you know what I mean.” However, he emphasized the importance of perspective and the knowledge of those closest to him: “If that happened there on New Year’s Eve, basically on stage at a club in Mexico, that probably isn’t the first rodeo, you know what I mean. I would say the same thing but I know exactly who I am, my kids know who I am, my circle of people that I give a shit about know who I am and that’s what mattered to me.”
White’s statement on the podcast suggests a desire to move forward while acknowledging the seriousness of the incident. He maintains his innocence regarding past behavior, but the focus remains on repairing the damage within his family unit.
Seeking Solutions and Preventing Future Violence
The public nature of Dana White’s altercation highlights the importance of domestic violence education and resources. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, here are some resources that can help:
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: https://ncadv.org/about-us
- The National Network to End Domestic Violence: https://nnedv.org/
These organizations offer support, resources, and guidance for those experiencing domestic violence.
A Reminder of Family and Accountability
Dana White’s public reflection on the altercation serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of domestic violence. While White seeks to move forward, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of healthy relationships and open communication within families.
