UFC
UFC President Dana White undergoing surgery this week, missed first UFC event in 11 years
May 16, 2012 - 1:05:47 PM UFC President Dana White undergoing surgery this week, missed first UFC event in 11 years

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC President Dana White missed Tuesday's UFC on Fuel 3 event in Fairfax, Va., marking the first time since Zuffa purchased the UFC 11 years ago that he's missed an event. He head a good reason, however, as he revealed on Twitter that he'll be undergoing surgery this Wednesday in Los Angeles to treat Meniere's disease.

White was recently diagnosed with the disease, which is a condition where fluid in the inner ear gets too high, affecting balance and hearing. In an interview with Kevin Iole at Yahoo! Sports, White revealed that his symptoms began months ago.

"I was on vacation in Fiji and it really started," White said. "Then, you remember that press conference [after UFC 141] where I was holding the podium? I was feeling terrible and things were spinning around."

He said things got bad on Tuesday when he was meeting with Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas, and he ended up needing to be taken out of the casino in a wheelchair. The surgery will keep him off his feet for about a week, and brings with it a risk of hearing loss. He's hopeful for the best, and though he said it "totally sucks" having to miss fights, it was unavoidable.

"You know me and you know how I love to be at the fights, but I can't," White said. "If it were possible for me in any way, I'd be there. But I can't. I'm having fun [Tweeting] with the fans and watching on TV."

Penick's Analysis: I wish nothing but the best for White in this surgery and hope he has a speedy recovery. For any criticisms that are laid upon the man, he is one of the hardest working people in the sports world, and he runs himself ragged with his travel schedule. I'm sure that in some way may have contributed to this disease manifesting; I'm by no means a medical expert, but an inner ear issue and his frequent flyer status may certainly be connected. Still, hopefully everything goes well with this surgery, and we'll see him back in good health next week for UFC 146.