Dana White comments on Anthony Smith's arrest for domestic violence charges

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 26: Anthony Smith interacts with UFC CEO Dana White after his final fight against Zhang Mingyang of China in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at T-Mobile Center on April 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) Dana White has heard about the allegations surrounding his former fighter Anthony Smith. Earlier this week, MMA Fighting confirmed that Smith was arrested and charged with first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. Additionally, a statement provided by the Sarpy County District Attorney’s Office received by MMA Fighting on Wednesday alleges Smith “reportedly threatened to kill” his wife, and “attempted multiple times” to strike her with his vehicle following an argument at a bar Gretna, Neb. White is currently in Serbia ahead of Saturday’s UFC Belgrade event. Following Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins, the UFC CEO was asked about Smith’s situation. “Well he’s one of those guys, too, that you don’t expect to see that happen,” White told The Mac Life. “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.” Smith was released on $500,000 bail on Wednesday and ordered by a judge to stay away from his wife. The one-time UFC title challenger is scheduled to appear in Sarpy County District Court on Aug. 17. White was in the middle of a domestic situation himself over three years ago. While on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on New Year’s Eve, White was seen in a video talking to his wife Anne, who had her hands over her face before he grabbed her wrist and she responded by slapping him in the face. White then reacted by slapping his wife in the face as other people in the group moved to separate them while the argument continued. White was not punished by TKO for the incident, which he addressed on multiple occasions, saying there was no excuse for his behavior, while adding, “You don’t put your hands on a woman ever.” Following UFC 329, White was asked about former fighter Dustin Poirier being arrested at an Atlanta airport for public drunkenness on Father’s Day, where body cam footage was released a couple of days later that saw Poirier acting erratic and threatening a police officer, behavior Poirier has since apologized for. The question posed to White by MMA Fighting regarded if there was a wellness program offered to UFC fighters—past and present—much like fellow TKO entity WWE has had for many years. White confirmed that something was in place, but didn’t go into detail when asked a follow-up question. On Friday, White doubled down about the help the UFC provides for their athletes, but again, kept things vague. “We do so much stuff for the fighters,” White said. “Not just the ones that are under contract with us, but ones that used to be, too.”

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Anthony Smith's former boss Dana White said he hopes things work out for former title fighter Anthony Smith in the wake of major charges.

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UFC CEO breaks silence on former rostered fighter’s arrest this week