UFC President Dana White is championing slap fighting as the latest sensation in combat sports, backing the Power Slap League with the resources of the renowned mixed martial arts organization.
The Nevada Athletic Commission officially sanctioned the league for competitions in Las Vegas.
Competitors in this unconventional sport stand rigidly upright with their hands behind their backs, ready to endure a forceful slap to the face. The impact ranges from minimal reaction to dramatic stumbling or even knockouts.
Despite its growing popularity, slap fighting has faced scrutiny, especially regarding safety concerns and the potential for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.
Critics, including former Nevada Athletic Commission chairman, express regret over approving the league, while others like Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, dismiss slap fighting as “one of the stupidest things you can do.”
White and participants in the Power Slap League remain undeterred, likening the skepticism to the early challenges faced by the UFC over two decades ago.
They contend that concerns about CTE are exaggerated and argue that slap fighting is distinct from more traditional combat sports.
Despite controversy, White sees the potential for slap fighting to follow a trajectory similar to mixed martial arts, drawing parallels to the initial negative reactions faced by the UFC. He cites the success of the TBS reality show “Power Slap: Road to the Title” as evidence of the sport’s early popularity.
White’s interest in slap fighting was sparked by the viral success of poorly produced videos from eastern Europe in 2017 and 2018. Convinced that a more regulated and professionally produced version could capture a broader audience, White sought legitimacy from the Nevada commission, which officially sanctioned slap fighting in October.
However, White’s venture faced a setback when he was caught on video slapping his wife on New Year’s Eve, impacting efforts to launch the league.
Despite controversies and legal challenges, White remains committed to advancing the Power Slap League, with three qualifying events already held in Las Vegas and a telecast scheduled for March 11 on the Rumble streaming platform, where champions in four weight classes will be crowned.
