White Responds To Smith Arrest

Dana White addressed Anthony Smith's arrest on Friday, and he did not keep his personal history out of it.

White responded to questions about Smith's situation while acknowledging the subject carries weight he has direct experience with.

"Well, he's one of those guys, too, that you don't expect to see that happen. But — personal experience — it can happen to anybody. So I don't know enough about it, I don't know enough of the details. I've been on the road this whole time. But I just hope it works out for him and his family and his kids,” White

Smith allegedly threatened to kill his wife and attempted multiple times to strike her with a vehicle following an argument at a bar in Gretna, Nebraska. He faces felony charges of first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. Smith was released on $500,000 bail Wednesday and ordered to stay away from his wife. He is scheduled to appear in Sarpy County District Court on August 17.

White's reference to personal experience is not abstract. In January 2023, video surfaced from a New Year's Eve vacation in Cabo San Lucas showing White and his wife Anne in a physical altercation, during which he slapped her in the face.

White also reiterated Friday that the UFC provides support for fighters beyond their active contracts, though he kept the specifics vague for the second time in recent weeks.

"We do so much stuff for the fighters. Not just the ones that are under contract with us, but ones that used to be, too,” White

The allegations involve a threat to kill and an attempt to use a vehicle as a weapon. The legal process is at an early stage and Smith is presumed innocent until proven otherwise, but the charges are specific and the court date is set.