Jim Ross On Vince McMahon/Dana White Comparisons, Vince Being More Guarded While White Is ‘Pretty Damned Open’

Speaking with Ariel Helwani for Helwani’s MMA show on ESPN, Jim Ross talked about the differences between Vince McMahon and Dana White. The comparison between the two is often made, with both men being the figureheads of their respective industries, but Ross noted that there are major differences between them in terms of personality and interacting with them.

You can check out highlights from the discussion and the full video below:

On Vince McMahon: “When McMahon walks into a room, oftentimes he sucks the air right out of it. And he does it because he likes it. He can, and he likes it. Dana can, and I’m sure he does in some deals, but just on a casual one-on-one basis, they’re nothing alike. Dana’s a lot more straightforward. Vince is very guarded, and I think that comes from decades and generations of his family in the wrestling business. All of those old promoters are guarded. The kayfabe, you can’t tell anybody what’s going on and all this other stuff, so Vince is more guarded.”

On Dana White: “Dana is very open. As you know, you talked to him a zillion times. To me — now, he might not be to you for a story you’re chasing that he’s not ready to tell you — but he’s pretty damned open and stuff, and that’s how I found him to be. He’s a good dude man. He’s the kind of guy all of us fans would dig having a beer with. He’s a funny guy, well rounded, loves football, so I love that. He loves MMA obviously, and I do too. So he’s great.

“Tony Khan, I told Tony when we go back to the hotel. I said, ‘I hope that you — I know that you have a memory that’s like the Rain Man. Tony don’t miss nothing, man. I said, ‘You got to spend about 45 minutes to an hour with one of the great entrepreneurs of American sports.’ No matter what anybody says about his demeanor or what they perceive Dana to be. Look what he — he and others — have built. It’s a major league man. Just his spirit is good to experience.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit ESPN MMA with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.