Boxing was Dana White‘s first love. After all, the UFC CEO, who started boxing at seventeen, once had aspirations of becoming a boxer. Eventually, however, he became so disillusioned with the sport that he actually detests it now. At this point, his feelings for the business of boxing are well known throughout the combat world as the Boston native takes shots at the sport every chance he gets.

The latest example of this came recently as Dana White took issue with one of the most irrelevant parts of boxing, which the fans actually like- the ring walks.

“They [UFC fighters] walk out with the guys who trained them and helped them get there and, we don’t turn it into a circus. And have you ever noticed in boxing, there’s 500 people in the ring that don’t belong in the ring. Who the f–k are these people and why are they in there? They’re nobodies looking to get on f–king TV,” White said on the ‘Full Send’ podcast.

Boxing walkouts, especially for big fights, are quite a spectacle, with family and friends often accompanying boxers as they walk to the ring. There are some pretty well-known examples of boxers making extravagant ring walks, such as Tyson Fury making his walk-out dressed as a king, complete with a crown, and sitting on a throne for his second Deontay Wilder fight four years ago.

In addition, there has also been quite a trend recently of rappers cranking out one of their adrenaline-pumping tracks as they walk out with boxers to the ring. Fight business, after all, is a part of show business and such extravagant walk-outs are seen as just giving the fans their money’s worth. But Dana White doesn’t think so. The UFC CEO just sees extravagant walkouts as a needless distraction that boxing can do without. However, fans totally disagree.

Fans excoriate Dana White over boxing walk-out comments

Of course, the most perennial and justified criticism of the UFC is that it doesn’t pay its fighters well. Most new fighters, for example, fight for between $15k to $30k depending on the result, with even iconic stars like Jon Jones‘ highest salary being in the mid-seven figures, which is peanuts compared to what the top guys in boxing get. This is why one fan did not take White’s criticism of boxing walkouts too seriously and pointed out that even the biggest MMA fighter in the history of the sport preferred boxing to UFC when it comes to money: “Great insight, Dana! Now, explain why UFC fighters often push for boxing matches. We’re curious why McGregor vs. Paul is rumored to take place in a boxing ring instead of the octagon. [Laughing emoji]“

This pay disparity between boxing and the UFC is exactly why so many UFC fighters cross over (or at least want to) cross over to boxing. One keen-eyed fan pointed out that most UFC fighters aren’t even paid enough that they can afford to have a rapper or a singer accompany them to the octagon: “I mean the way Dana pays his fighters they wouldnt wanna waste 90% of their purse on a rapper so understandable.”

The UFC CEO’s veritable disgust for boxing may be justified in many other aspects, like boxers ducking tough opponents, the always questionable judging in the sport, or boxing cards often being too top-heavy. But on the subject of ring-walks, White’s criticisms didn’t find any takers. In fact, one fan’s reaction perfectly encapsulates the fans’ sentiment about the UFC CEO’s criticism: “Ok Dana“

Of course, the UFC is no stranger to celebrities accompanying fighters on their walk-out, with one fan reminding White of one of the most memorable UFC walkouts recently was Hulk Hogan accompanying Colby Covington to the octagon at UFC Tampa last month: “Colby walked out with Hulk Hogan…stop it Dana.”

Another fan trashed White’s take by pointing to one of the most iconic recent walkouts, when Eminem sang his iconic track ‘Lose Yourself’ while accompanying Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford to the ring for his Errol Spence fight two years ago: “If Eminem coming out with Terence Crawford is the “Circus”, I rather watch that!!.” What do you think about Dana White’s comments about boxing walk-outs?