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Dana White has been an amazing President for the UFC over the last several years and it shows in the massive betting increase that's come above over his tenure. However, his job may suddenly be on the line.
The very sportsbook that has benefitted the most from his reign over the UFC was expected to post odds on Dana White's future shortly.
In the age of MeToo, where just about anyone in the public spotlight alleged to have abused their spouse or significant other has become a casualty of a zero tolerance policy (the list is too long but includes those at the top of their game), White's fate would otherwise be sealed.
But this is the UFC and a slightly different culture perhaps.
White and his wife got physical with each other on New Year's Eve. Onlookers in a crowded Cabo San Lucas nightclub were left stunned by the booze-fueled altercation.
It does appear as if Dana's wife of 26 years slapped the UFC President first based on witness accounts. Dana had leaned over to tell her something and wife Anne slapped him across the face.
Dana immediately slapped her back before friends could jump in to intervene.
Video footage has also surfaced.
This is the Dana White video in question for those who missed it. Pick an athlete, owner or coach in ANY other sport that could be caught on video slapping their wife and it just kinda goes away. pic.twitter.com/wwyw6M7Q2P
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) January 3, 2023
Speaking to TMZ on Monday, Dana White apologized and said there are "no excuses" for what happened.
"You've heard me say over the years, 'There is never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman,' and now here I am on TMZ talking about it," White said. "My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years. We've known each other since we were 12 years old. We've obviously been through some s--- together. We've got three kids.
"This is one of those situations that's horrible, I'm embarrassed -- but it's also one of those situations that right now we're more concerned about our kids. We have three kids and obviously, since the video popped up, we've shown the kids the video and we're more focused on our family right now.
"I'm literally making no excuses for this thing at all. It's never happened before. It's the first time it's ever happened. People are going to say what they're going to say and it is what is. Whatever people say is deserved. I deserve it."
The UFC was yet to issue a statement as of Tuesday morning.
Anne White insisted the incident was an isolated one.
"Dana and I have been married for almost 30 years," she told TMZ. "To say this is out of character for him is an understatement. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Unfortunately, we were both drinking too much on New Year's Eve and things got out of control, on both sides. We've talked this through as a family and apologized to each other. I just hope people will respect our privacy for the sake of our kids."
Other fighters, mostly those no longer with the UFC, were less forgiving.
Corey Anderson tweeted:
"No way this the first time he's hit her or her hitting him. They both reacted with zero hesitation as if they've done it before."
Deron Winn wrote:
"Trash. But sadly, nothing will happen."
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
