UFC president Dana White is branching out.
White officially announced the launch of Power Slap, a competitive combat sport focused on open-handed striking. THe episodic series featuring slap athletes is set to debut early next year on TBS.
Eight episodes will air on TBS, as athletes compete to earn a spot in the cast house. That will mark the first Power Slap rankings, future matches and world recognition.
“I’m very excited for the launch of Power Slap,” White said. “I’ve been working on this since 2017. I saw some footage of slap fighting on social media and I was instantly hooked. 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.
“We got it sactioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) with defined rules, rankings and weight classes. Power Slap is built for the modern sports fan.”
Lorenzo Fertitta, who helped White in creating what would become the UFC, is also on board. Craig Biligian is as well as a partnership with the UFC and Endeavor.