ESPN host Molly Qerim isn’t joining in the masses to scold UFC president Dana White for his involvement in the viral physical altercation with his wife that has been making the rounds. A video began going viral this week showing the UFC boss and his wife at a nightclub on New Year’s Eve. The pair were arguing before White’s wife slapped him, which prompted the UFC president to slap at his wife in return.
Since, the reactions have been relatively mixed as it pertains to White’s own actions during the incident. Some fighters have come out in defense of White, and others not so much. However, it appears ESPN’s Molly Qerim isn’t about to let the one incident change how she views White overall.
Molly Qerim Defends Dana White
Qerim took to a recent segment on “First Take” and noted that she has known White for years and has the utmost respect for him. She added that his wife also put hands on him, and that shouldn’t be acceptable either way.
“When you’re under the influence, not shining moments, often people don’t make the best decisions,” Qerim said. “In that sense, it’s a cautionary tale. In terms of it being an isolated incident, I’ve known Dana since I was 22, and I have the utmost respect for him.
“I don’t judge people by their worst moments…as a woman, his wife’s hands were also on him, and no one should put their hands on anyone. Male-to-female, or female-to-male.”
Stephen A. Smith talks Dana White pic.twitter.com/OLb2Wtz3j1
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 4, 2023
Qerim’s comments seem to echo that of UFC light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill, who also came to White’s defense this week. Of course, there’s still a healthy group of spectators out there who have brought White’s character into question in recent days. It will be interesting to see what repercussions, if any, will come from the incident.
