For the second time since video of him slapping his wife in the face at a Cabo nightclub went viral, Dana White is speaking out about the incident. The UFC President made an appearance at UFC Vegas 67 Media Day on Wednesday.
As with the first interview with TMZ, White admitted to hitting his spouse. He was also made aware of those who came to his defense, something he discouraged.
“One thing I want to clarify about this, which I didn’t talk about at TMZ because I didn’t expect it and didn’t see it coming, is the people defending me. There’s never an excuse,” he told the media.
“There’s no defense for that, and people shouldn’t be defending me about this, no matter what. All the criticism I have received this week is 100% justified and will continue to be so.
“I’ve said it before and now I’m saying it after I’ve done it: you never do. don’t defend me Nobody defends me. There’s no reason to even try to defend myself. And I don’t want any of our fighters in that position where they feel like they have to do it.”
What critics are pointing out is the apparent inaction of the UFC leadership and their owners, Endeavor. ESPN, the UFC broadcast partner, has also been criticized for its coverage of the incident.
But for White, the heavier “punishment” in his life takes place outside of work.
“What are the consequences? I take 30 days off? how does this hurt me
“My leaving hurts the company. Hurts my employees. Hurts the fighters. don’t hurt me I could have gone in 2016. do i need to think No, I don’t have to think.
“We’ve had a lot of discussions internally, with Ari, ESPN… none are happy. Nobody is happy about that. Neither do I. But it happened and I have to deal with it.
“And what is my punishment? Here’s my punishment: I have to walk around as long as I live – will it be 10.4 years or another 25 years – and that’s what I’m called now.”