The new Power Slap league created by Dana White has been flooded with a variety of reactions from the combat sports community. Boxer Ryan Garcia has decided to join the chorus of naysayers for the idea of this newly formed fight league.
Last year, Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, announced the formation of The Power Slap League, a combat sports event based on slap fighting. The beginning of the new league had been scheduled for earlier in January of this year, but it was pushed back by one week after Dana got into a fight with his wife.
A number of well-known figures, including UFC commentator Joe Rogan, have voiced their disapproval of the new league since its debut. Now professional boxer Ryan Garcia has spoken out against the slap league, seemingly against it in principle. In a tweet, Ryan voiced his opposition to the idea by saying. “‘Power slap is a horrible idea and needs to be stopped”
Power slap is a horrible idea and needs to be stopped
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) January 21, 2023
Dana did not back down and continued to proceed despite the numerous health effects, including the possibility of neurological side effects due to the power slap, which has led many neurologists and fighters to speak out against the concept of such a league.
“We spend the money to make sure that we have two healthy people in there with proper medical attention during and after the fight. These are all the things we need to educate people on, just like we needed to educate people on mixed martial arts. But, in slap, they take 3-5 slaps per event. Fighters in boxing take 300-400 punches a fight.” said Dana.
One of the controversial aspects of power slap combat is that, unlike in boxing or MMA, a defender has no way to block a slap shot to the face from the striker. Dana White warns against viewing the show if it will cause anyone to become uneasy.
”And guess what? Do you know what my answer to that is? If you don’t fucking like it, don’t watch it. Nobody’s asking you to watch this! Oh, you’re disgusted by it? Watch The Voice.” Dana added.
Power Slap League debut draws just under 300k average viewers https://t.co/bzV4l6z1eC pic.twitter.com/vAaT8X5yqd
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) January 20, 2023
On January 18th, the league was finally able to make its debut amidst all of the uncertainty. What are your thoughts on slapping as a form of athletic competition?
