• UFC news

UFC to stand by Ross Pearson after DUI arrest

Ross Pearson is awaiting his next UFC fight © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: BJ Penn returning, likely at welterweight - White
  
• News: Jones v Henderson heading for September collision
  
• News: We've stood by Rampage more than enough - White
  

UFC president Dana White has vowed to stand by Ross Pearson following the Brit's arrest on the suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI).

Pearson is currently in Las Vegas helping team-mate Dominick Cruz as an assistant coach on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter. He was stopped by police over the weekend and arrested on the suspicion of DUI.

Such incidents always spark fears over the career of the fighter in question, with the UFC keen not to be associated with such behaviour. White certainly does not condone it, but he insists Pearson's determination to make up for his error will see his UFC on FX 4 fight with Cub Swanson go ahead.

"I talked to him on the phone the day that he got out, and we're going to help him through it," White is quoted as saying by MMA Junkie.

"He's got 50 guys out there that he's training with that he could have called," White said. "He's got money; he could have taken a taxi. It's just one of those bad choices you make at that moment.

"I'm a realist," he said. "You can't expect all these people to be perfect. I understand they're role models. They're human beings. They're going to make mistakes.

"I'm one of those guys that believes we're all going to make mistakes - it's how you handle it after you make that mistake that tells you who you really are.

"Believe me, we've had some guys that are absolute clowns in this show who have made mistakes and won't own up to them and act like complete jackasses. And those are the guys who I want nothing to do with, and I'll never go to bat for them. Ever."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.