If you watched a UFC event last year or are plugged into the promotion’s social media pages, you’ve undoubtedly seen promotions for the new Power Slap League.
Is this correct? Are people seriously slapping each other in a competition for money? Yes. This is really happening.
Coined “the biggest slap competition of all time” by UFC president Dana White, who is funding this endeavor, the Power Slap League’s inaugural episode was originally scheduled to air January 11 on TBS but has now been pushed back until January 18. The delay comes after TMZ published video footage on January 2 of White slapping his wife Anne at a New Year’s Eve party in Mexico.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Power Slap League.
What is the Power Slap League?
Power Slap is the newest slap fighting organization. Backed by White, the Power Slap League is licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and features competitors from all over the globe. According to the organization’s website, competitors will battle on the ultimate stage to showcase their power, technique and resolve. The first season will feature eight one-hour episodes.
The rules of the competition are straightforward. During each match, two fighters alternate between “striker” and “defender” roles. The striker gets 30 seconds to wind up and slap their opponent, who holds a “Power Slap Stick” behind their back with both arms, exposing their face.
Fighters who are knocked down are given a 10-count from the referee to rise to their feet and prove they are able to continue. If neither fighter is knocked out after a specific number of rounds – Power Slap offers three- and five-round events – then the bout is settled by the judges, who analyze the event using a 10-point system.
Why Was The Power Slap League Delayed?
The UFC made a big deal of promoting Power Slap’s January 11 debut on TBS, but that was all thrown into flux when news broke of White’s assault on his wife. White admitted to slapping his wife on New Year’s Eve and told TMZ he was embarrassed about this “horrible” incident.
After that, TBS considered the idea of canceling the Power Slap premiere, according to the New York Post, but ultimately decided to delay the airing of the first episode by one week.
Neither the UFC nor Endeavor, the UFC’s parent company, has publicly commented on White’s actions.
Will Dana’s White Slap League Get Canceled?
While TBS producers reportedly considered canceling the show, Power Slap will air January 18 on TBS at 10 p.m. ET.
Who is competing in the Power Slap League?
As expected from a slap fighting league, Power Slap features a ragtag group of unknown athletes with eyebrow-raising names and scattered back stories. Military veteran Jesse Nutting and Wesley “All The Smoke” Drain are two competitors listed on the Power Slap website.
Is Slap Fighting Safe?
In November, the Washington Post published a story exploring the health risks of slap fighting. As one neurosurgeon in the article points out, slap fighting is innately more dangerous than taekwondo or boxing, as the recipient of the strike isn’t allowed to defend himself.
A single acute blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion. And as doctors learn more about traumatic brain injuries and their connection to repeated blows to the head, the concern grows around an unknown sport like slap flighting.
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What Is The Power Slap League?
Power Slap is the newest slap fighting organization. Backed by Dana White, the Power Slap League is licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and features competitors from all over the globe. According to the organization’s website, competitors will battle on the ultimate stage to showcase their power, technique and resolve. The first season will feature eight one-hour episodes.
The rules of the competition are straightforward. During each match, two fighters alternate between “striker” and “defender” roles. The striker gets 30 seconds to wind up and slap their opponent, who holds a “Power Slap Stick” behind their back with both arms, exposing their face.
Fighters who are knocked down are given a 10-count from the referee to rise to their feet and prove they are able to continue. If neither fighter is knocked out after a specific number of rounds – Power Slap offers three- and five-round events – then the bout is settled by the judges, who analyze the event using a 10-point system.
Why Was The Power Slap League Delayed?
The UFC made a big deal of promoting Power Slap’s January 11 debut on TBS, but that was all thrown into flux when news broke of White’s assault on his wife. White admitted to slapping his wife on New Year’s Eve and told TMZ he was embarrassed about this “horrible” incident.
After that, TBS considered the idea of canceling the Power Slap premiere, according to the New York Post, but ultimately decided to delay the airing of the first episode by one week.
Neither the UFC nor Endeavor, the UFC’s parent company, has publicly commented on White’s actions.
Will Dana White’s Slap League Get Canceled?
While TBS reportedly considered canceling the show, Power Slap will air January 18 on TBS at 10 p.m. ET.
Is Slap Fighting Safe?
In November 2022, the Washington Post published a story exploring the health risks of slap fighting. As one neurosurgeon in the article points out, slap fighting is innately more dangerous than taekwondo or boxing, as the recipient of the strike isn’t allowed to defend himself.
A single acute blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion. And as doctors learn more about traumatic brain injuries and their connection to repeated blows to the head, the concern grows around an unknown sport like slap flighting.
