The much-awaited Power Slap League began on January 18 despite several pushbacks, get to know all the rules, scoring system, rankings, TV Broadcast, venue, roster, and entry requirements
UFC President Dana White’s Power Slap League made its TV debut on TBS after much debate and controversy causing delays.
Power Slap League rules, roster, start debut date, registration, scoring, live stream telecast
Dana White's slap fighting league "Power Slap" launched last night
The league launch follows an incident where Dana White assaulted his wife on New Years eve pic.twitter.com/JZPI4Czh0V
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 19, 2023
Horrific! Man left with a disfigured face after partaking in the RXF MMA Slap Fighting championship, Romanian heavyweight Simion Sorin Comșa wins it anyway 🤯
Many commented on the competition including @TheNotoriousMMA. Dana White’s Power Slap League is set to debut Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/n8a0hKXFnv
— Kickboxing Romania (@KickboxingRoma1) January 17, 2023
Just before the release, Warner Media and TBS delayed the show following the release of a video, which showed White and his wife slapping one another on New Year’s Eve.
Proper safety measures and guidelines
While announcing the new competition, Hunter Campbell, Chief Business Officer for UFC stated that the Power Slap League will feature similar medical requirements, weight classes, and matchmaking as the ones followed in MMA. Hunter also added that the competition will implement a fair weight discrepancy, mouthguards and earplugs, and enforced fouls as well.
US TV Broadcast
Fans in the US can watch the TV broadcast of the Power Slap League on Sling TV via TBS. Sling TV, is currently offering a “Half off” on the first month. Fans can simply stream from Sling Orange for $20 to catch all of the slapping action on TBS.
Venue
The Power Slap League will take place inside UFC’s APEX Center in Las Vegas.
Power Slap League rules
Despite the harsh nature of the sport, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has approved several rules for the organization. Given below are the rules that govern the Power Slap League:
- Each match will feature two competitors who will alternate between “striker” and “defender” roles
- Both competitors have up to 30 seconds to wind up and slap an opponent
- Both competitors have 30 seconds to recover from a slap
- A coin toss or the seeding method will determine a striker
- Each slap fight will consist of three to five rounds
- Competitors who get knocked down will be given a 10-count from the referee to rise to their feet and prove that they can continue playing.
Scoring system
Competitors will be judged on three factors:
- The striker’s effectiveness
- The defender’s reaction
- Recovery time
In cases where neither of the competitors get knocked out after a specific round, the judges will use the 10-point system used in MMA and boxing (10-9, 10-8) to decide the winner.
Power Slap League competitors
Given below is the list of competitors as shown on the Power Slap League’s website:
- Former college football player Alex Asbury
- Competitive bodybuilder Devon Schwan
- Military veteran and jiu-jitsu purple belt Jesse Nutting
- Power-lifter and farmer John Davis
- Highland Games participant and USAWA power lifter Vernon Cathey
- MMA veteran Jewel Scott
- MMA fighter Robert Trujillo
- Combat sports veteran AyJay Hintz
Besides, all the things stated above, the competition will also feature regularly updated rankings of all the competitors.
Entry requirements
Anyone can apply for the Power Slap League. Interested applicants just have to send a detailed video and background materials of themselves.
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