In early 2023, UFC CEO Dana White found himself in the eye of a storm after an incident at a New Year’s Eve party in Cabo, where he was reported to have slapped his wife. Despite the ensuing storm of criticism, UFC continued to break revenue records.
However, for White’s children, the incident was not easily brushed aside. In a candid conversation with former ESPN anchor Sage Steele on her podcast, White reflected on the profound impact his actions had on his family.
“If you’re a racist, your kids know you’re a racist,” White emphasized. If you do things like that to your wife, your kids know. The list goes on and on, nobody knows you better than your kids do.
He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, recognizing that his children were deeply affected. My kids were the focus and the priority during that situation, he admitted.
“That was the most important part of it. That was the only thing that mattered to me and my wife.”
White revealed the introspection that followed the incident, recognizing the need for personal growth and change.
“I made some decisions in my life that I could guarantee that would never happen again,”
he confessed.
“I had to take a look at myself and say we need to fix this and this can never happen again.”
Despite the lack of formal punishment for the incident, White expressed his commitment to ensuring it would never be repeated.
However, critics questioned the lack of consequences, suggesting flaws in the system.
As White continues to lead UFC and its parent company, TKO, he confronts the challenges of redemption and personal growth, acknowledging the impact of his actions and striving to build a better future for himself and his family.
