Power Slap League postponed video Dana White hitting wife New Years Eve nightclub altercation

White then responded by striking her twice before the pair struggled for a moment and were separated.

First reported by Jeremy Botter on a UFC Substack page, American pay TV network TBS initially threatened to cancel the new league, fronted by White and several other high-profile UFC business partners as a consequence of the assault.

However the New York Post has since stated that the premiere will only be delayed.

As confirmed by a TBS spokeswoman, the show was anticipated to debut on January 11, but will now commence a week later on January 18.

In an interview with TMZ, White admitted the “horrible” incident was triggered by alcohol, however said that was no excuse for his actions.

“My wife and I were out for New Year’s Eve, and, unfortunately, that’s what happened,” he said.

“I’m one of the guys, you’ve heard me say for years, there’s never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman. And, now here I am on TMZ talking about it.

“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 shit together. We’ve got three kids, and this is one of those situations that’s horrible.

“I’m embarrassed, but it’s also one of those situations where right now we’re more concerned about our kids. We’ve shown the kids the video, and we’re more focused on our family right now.”

White also claimed that it was the “first time” a physical altercation had transpired between the couple.

“I’m literally making no excuses for this thing at all. It’s never happened before,” he said.

In a separate statement to TMZ, Anne said that both her and White had been “drinking too much on New Year’s Eve and things got out of control, on both sides”.

Following the bodily assault, some from within the mixed martial arts world have called for White to step away from the promotion company.

The media and entertainment company that owns the UFC, Endeavor, detailed that its shares fall close to 6 per cent after the footage was published – on top of the poor press it has had to weather.

Ironically, White previously claimed that UFC fighters “never bounce back” from cases of domestic or sexual assault.

“You don’t bounce back from putting your hands on a woman,” he said in 2014.

With this is mind, sports broadcaster for ESPN – the exclusive rightsholder of the UFC – Stephen A. Smith called on White to discipline himself just as he would a fighter in the same situation.

“[White] has spoken out against men who have put their hands on women before and whatever punishment you would exact in these circumstances to somebody else is what he should apply to himself,” he said on ESPN’s First Take.

However, considering the UFC’s track record when handling past cases of domestic violence, it is unlikely that White will be face any retribution.

Journalist Ariel Helwani also called out fighters, fans and the media’s misogynistic response to the incident.

“Disheartening, embarrassing, disgusting to see people defend a guy who isn’t even trying to defend himself,” he told the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.

“All these people are embarrassing themselves, the fans are embarrassing themselves … the fighters are embarrassing themselves.”

White revealed the UFC’s latest business venture in October.

Administered and sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, professional slap fighting involves two fighters slap each other across the face with an open hand.

Under the UFC’s promotion, the sport will also include timed turns and a 10-point scale scoring system.

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