UFC CEO Dana White is all about long-standing legacies. After taking over with the Fertitta brothers, White has bolstered positive mechanisms in place to ensure the business thrives. However, his brainchild offshoot – Power Slap, is a different tale. Unlike UFC’s main grind, the world’s premier slap-fighting organization saw instant success and profitable windfall even amidst controversies.
It started with a men’s competition. Nowadays, the women’s inaugural Power Slap match during the phase saw a viral reel reach insurmountable views. White has often promoted the extreme popularity of sports, and he stands by it. The instant success of Power Slap is nothing like anything White ventured into. As such, he revealed the offshoot brand has grown into a near-billion-dollar business.
You know, the original guys – the Fertitta brothers, were my partners in UFC …we sold in 2016 to Endeavor…So, my go-to guys said ‘Hey, I got another idea…you guys wanna do this [Power Slap]?’…and they were like ‘Yeah, we are in.’ So, we all gotta pony up a million bucks each…and get this thing started. That was thirteen months ago…it’s a $750M business 1716020780…[chuckles] Look, I even got Power Slap Cups!
Dana White via “The Pete and Sebastian Show” Podcast – EP 603
A clip of Sheena Bathory sturdily enduring a slap and blowing a raspberry kiss to the opponent went viral with an excess of 100 million views on the Official IG page (@powerslap). But that’s a mundane incident on this day. It even outsold Taylor Swift‘s “The Blank Space” reel by 10 million views in one week. However, it profoundly sits at a walloping $750 million worth in just a year!
Former NAC Chairman Stephen Cloobeck had swiveled from his support of the sport, stating he made a mistake signing it on. Power Slap has long been subject to controversy and negative feedback. However, Dana White has long postulated that Power Slap’s social metrics exceed those of the NFL, NBA, etc. A whopping $750 million say Cloobeck was wrong to back out. It’s only one way up from here on.
Dana White says Power Slap takes much of the risk out of combat sports culture
The primary ownership conglomerate of White, UFC CBO Hunter Campbell, and Zuffa founders Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta successfully formulated Power Slap. Ever since then, the combat striking competition has reached unprecedented levels and fandoms.
Dana White says Power Slap takes a lot of the risk out of combat sports (Source: Instagram/ UFC.go.com)Power Slap is not without its share of controversies. Hardcore Mixed-rule martial arts enthusiasts consequently do not take to liking it much. It also minimizes the physicality of MMA, which is one of its main attractions. Nevertheless, Dana White sternly replied to Cloobeck and other detractors of Power Slap.
As far as Cloobeck, he’s not on the commission anymore. But why wouldn’t you want it to be regulated? We’re taking a lot of the risk out of combat sports, …Regulation isn’t about personal taste or preference. Athletic commissions are tasked with protecting adults…who are knowingly and willfully choosing to engage in an unarmed combat sport…A key function of their duty is to make sure the athletes are medically fit to compete.
Dana White to Justin Barrasso of “The Spun” by Sports Illustrated
Slap-fighting has long existed; White’s efforts, however, hoisted it to mainstream media attention and brand value like never before. A whole championship-level grind and social media outlet built around the sport has remained a boon, to say the least. The UFC CEO also thinks it keeps the entertainment factor intact while minimizing the risk of injury from contact sports, which is what athletic commissions thrive for anyway.
The UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia will take place June 22 at Kingdom Arena. UFC On ABC 6 is the first Fight Night grind to ever happen there. Due to its popularity, the extended agreement between UFC and Riyadh Season also includes hosting a future Power Slap event thereafter.
