Dana White has long been a vocal critic of the professional boxing industry’s pay structure.
He’s often said that promoters encouraging fighters to protect their undefeated records—by mostly facing lower-tier opponents and delaying big matchups—has hurt the sport. Interestingly, top boxer Rolando “Rolly” Romero recently echoed those same concerns.
Dana White’s Controversial UFC Pay Structure Gets Unexpected Support From Rolly Romero
Romero’s most recent bout saw him drop and outwork Ryan Garcia in a unanimous decision win on May 2, 2025. After the fight, Garcia addressed the media and appeared to criticize the mentality of overpaid boxers who lose their drive to compete.
Romero didn’t hold back either.
MORE: Insider Compares Ryan Garcia’s Performance to Jon Jones
“I’m tired of people … This is coming from a fighter, but you guys shouldn’t be overpaying fighters. Because then it makes them not want to actually perform,” he said. “Especially when you have fights lined up after your next fight and all that stuff, right?
“And it’s sad because it’s taking away, like, ‘Oh. All I’ve got to do is f***ing survive this fight for your next paycheck.’ It’s been going on for a very long time, and it’s really messing up the sport.”
Romero referenced the UFC’s pay model under Dana White, where fighters who don’t perform well are often paid less in future bouts. While the UFC’s structure has been controversial among fighters and fans alike, Romero believes it has merit.
“You guys got to do it like the UFC does. Like, ‘You do a s*** performance, y’all ain’t getting no damn money,’” Romero said. “That’s why it’s taking away the hunger that these fighters have. They’ve got a guaranteed check next. So all these mother******* keep protecting their ‘0’ [undefeated record]. ‘Oh, I’m undefeated.’”
The 29-year-old added, “Like, look, I have two losses, right? … But it’s never derailed anything. I’m still here. They can’t take me away.”
Romero also pointed to Manny Pacquiao as proof that losses don’t stop a boxer from becoming a superstar. He challenged the long-held belief that fighters need to stay unbeaten to stay relevant or marketable.
Dana White Will Promote the Boxing Mega-Fight Between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford
Before becoming president and now CEO of the UFC, Dana White worked as a boxing trainer. He’s always maintained a deep love for boxing, even as he’s criticized the sport’s promoters and pay structures.
Now, White is jumping back into the boxing world through his TKO Boxing promotion, which is set to make its debut this year.
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Saudi Arabian boxing promoter His Excellency Turki Alalshikh recently announced that the highly anticipated fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford will take place Sept. 12, 2025.
The bout will be co-promoted by White’s TKO Boxing and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season initiative.