Power Slap producer and UFC president Dana White hit back at the critics of NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) for approving slap-fighting competition.
Dana White revolutionized the sport of mixed martial arts after taking over the UFC with the Fertitta brothers in 2001. In under two decades separated from the purchase, White and company transformed the tanking business into a profitable venture and sold it for over $4 billion in 2016. White drew a lot of criticism after he embarked on a similar journey with his pursuit to expand slap-fighting contests.
Along with White, the NSAC, who approved the sporting format last October, has faced heat from detractors of the freshly minted competition.
Dana White defends NSAC’s approval of Power Slap
During the pre-fight press conference for Power Slap 1 finale, Dana White hit back at the critics of Power Slap and NSAC for their approval of the sport.
“It’s fascinating to me that these people who are supposed to be knowledgeable about combat sports or these doctors, some of them are looking for attention,” said White. “There’s no doubt about it. They can go in and get there names in the newspapers and stuff. At the end of the day, anybody who gets involved in combat sports knows exactly what the risks are. Getting hit in the head is never good for you. Everybody knows that.”
“If you look at a typical boxing match, these guys take 300-400 punches a fight. It doesn’t matter if you can intelligently defend yourself or not and that doesn’t include the sparring you did before the fight.
“Your selective outrage is on the wrong sport. Let’s start there. Boxing’s been around forever. You’re not going to get any traction attacking boxing and not attacking me. It’s silly. It’s ridiculous. These guys will take three or less slaps an event unless they go to five. They have the same standards as a UFC fighter.”
White labeled the attack on NSAC as disgusting
White explained the role of the commission may not fit the perception people have. He hit back at the opposition for disparaging the organization for its approval, calling it disgusting.
“That’s why writing negative stories about the Nevada State Athletic Commission, you should be applauding the NSAC if you really look at what it’s meant to do. They are not there to determine whether you should like Slap or not. That’s not the point. The point is it’s going to happen.”
“These guys, first of all, are much safer fighting here, obviously getting much more exposure, it’s going to change their lives, help them make money for their family. This is exactly like the UFC when we started it.”
“The NSAC should be applauded. For our local home paper to call them out and try to talk negatively about them, it’s disgusting.”
Power Slap 1 Finale is set to go down this Saturday, Mar. 11 at 9 pm ET live and free on Rumble.
