Dana White claims he should NOT face punishment after slapping his wife in New Year’s Eve row

Dana White has explained why he shouldn’t face punishment after being caught slapping his wife on New Year’s Eve but admits he deserves the criticism he has faced for the altercation. 

White has apologized for his actions that night in Cabo San Lucas, though he’s still faced calls to step down from his role as UFC president.

But speaking to reporters Wednesday, White made it clear he doesn’t think taking time away is necessary.

Dana White does not think he should be punished after he was caught slapping his wife

White has been married to his wife Anne for 26 years and the pair have three children 

‘What should the repercussions be? You tell me. I take 30 days off?’ he asked. 

‘How does that hurt me? 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. The next morning when I woke up … I own this. I’m telling you that I’m wrong.’

White added in the press availability, which was held before UFC Fight Night 217 that, ‘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.’

White said he had no excuse for his actions and said he was ’embarrassed’ about the clip

He added that he has had ‘plenty of discussions’ with Ari Emanuel, the boss of UFC parent company Endeavor, and ESPN brass, and ‘nobody is happy about this.’

The 53-year-old White, who has an estimated worth of $500million after building the UFC up into a global money-spinning franchise, has been married to his wife for 26 years, since 1996, and they have three children together.

They were celebrating New Year’s Eve at El Squid Roe in Cabo San Lucas. Video shows White appearing to say something to Anne, who reacts by slapping him. He then slaps her back before the pair are split up.

White was quick to issue an apology for his actions to TMZ on January 2.

‘I am one of the guys who says 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,’ he said.

‘This is one of those situations that is horrible. I am embarrassed. 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 are going to have their opinions on this and people’s opinions would be right, especially in my case. You don’t put your hands on a woman, ever.’

His wife Anne is 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 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.’

Lorenzo Fertitta, Teressa Fertitta, Anne White and Dana White (left to right)

Judging by White’s own past words, he’s fortunate to still be in a job.

Speaking to Fox Sports Live in 2014 after footage emerged of Ravens running back Ray Rice abusing his wife, White had a very clear policy on domestic violence when it came to UFC.

 ‘We’ve been human beings in letting these guys, other guys make up for what they’ve done and come back. There’s one thing that you never bounce back from and that’s putting your hands on a woman. Been that way in the UFC since we started here. You don’t bounce back from putting your hands on a woman.’

Still, while White is remaining in his role at UFC, he doesn’t believe he’s getting out of this situation unscathed.

‘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.,’ he said Wednesday.

‘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. ‘