Power Slap

In early 2023, a new combat sport promotion hit American television with a premise so blunt it hurt: two people stand face-to-face and take turns slapping each other as hard as they can. Power Slap, co-owned by UFC CEO Dana White and Zuffa founder Lorenzo Fertitta, launched a reality competition series on TBS called Power Slap: Road to the Title. The show followed more than 30 athletes living together in a house, competing for a spot in the Power Slap League’s official rankings and a shot at the first championship title. It was produced by Pilgrim Media Group, the same company behind The Ultimate Fighter, which helped transform mixed martial arts from a fringe spectacle into a mainstream sport.

The premiere was delayed one week after a video surfaced of Dana White slapping his wife at a New Year’s Eve party in December 2022. When the show finally aired on January 18, 2023, it drew an average of around 250,000 viewers per episode, far below the 800,000 viewers of its lead-in, AEW Dynamite. Critics panned the series as exploitative and morally dubious, questioning the legitimacy of slap fighting as a sport and the ethics of glamorizing brain trauma. The New Yorker called it a spectacle that raised serious questions about brain health, while MMA journalist Ariel Helwani said, “That’s not sport, shame on Nevada, for sanctioning that.”

TBS dropped the show after one season. But Power Slap didn’t disappear. It moved to the streaming platform Rumble for its live events, and later to YouTube. Seasons 2 and 3 aired exclusively on those digital platforms, and the promotion continues to hold live events. The Nevada State Athletic Commission sanctioned the fights, making Power Slap one of the first regulated slap fighting promotions in the United States. Official weight classes, drug testing, and on-site doctors were part of the package. Dana White said at the launch press conference at Radio City Music Hall, “From the first day I saw it, I felt like this could be big. I knew what needed to be done to make it a real sport just like we did with MMA.” [edit]

Power Slap: Road to the Title is a reality competition series that follows over 30 athletes vying for a place in the newly formed Power Slap League. The series premiered on TBS in January 2023 and was produced by Pilgrim Media Group, the same company behind The Ultimate Fighter. Dana White serves as host and executive producer, positioning Power Slap as the next evolution of combat sports. The show features official weight classes, defined rules, drug testing, rankings, and extensive medical testing, all sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The premise is starkly simple: two competitors stand face-to-face and take turns delivering open-handed slaps to each other's faces. The series presents slap fighting as a legitimate sport, with a competition house where contestants live together while competing in a tournament format, much like The Ultimate Fighter. The athletes range from experienced slap fighters from underground promotions to complete novices with no formal slapping experience. The central conflict revolves around these competitors vying for a spot in the Power Slap League's official rankings and ultimately a shot at the first title fight.

Season 1 consists of eight pre-recorded episodes that document the tournament process. Early episodes feature qualifying matches where athletes compete to earn a place in the Power Slap house. Notable early matchups include Mike "Slap Jesus" Smith defeating Alex Asbury via doctor stoppage after opening a deep cut on Asbury's face, and Jewel Scott defeating Anthony Green with a powerful knockout shot. The show also introduces established slap fighting figures, including "Darius the Destroyer" and "Wolverine," who serve as coaches for the competing teams.

Throughout the season, tensions rise among contestants living in the Power Slap house. A notable conflict develops between Azael Rodriguez and Russel Rivero, with playful slap fighting taking a serious turn after a night of drinking, leading to both men charging at each other before being separated by other strikers. The show also features dramatic moments such as Mitchell Sipe being kicked off the show. The season showcases a variety of weight classes and fighting styles. In the middleweight division, Emanuel Muniz faces Azael Rodriguez in a battle that goes to the judges' scorecards after Muniz is penalized for a clubbing foul. The welterweight division features competitors like Jewel Scott, Anthony Green, and Jesus Gaspar Diaz.

The series culminates in the Power Slap 1 live event, which aired exclusively on Rumble following the conclusion of the reality series. This event features championship-level matchups including Chris Thomas vs. Jesus Gaspar Diaz, Damien Dibbell vs. Duane Crespo, and Mike "Slap Jesus" Smith vs. Waylon Frost. The live event serves as the payoff for the tournament established in the reality series, determining the first official Power Slap champions.[edit]