UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has become the latest combat sports figure to speak out against the newly created Power Slap League.
Last month, Dana Whiteâs new combat creation debuted on TBS under a cloud of controversy that has only expanded and darkened as footage of the action in the Power Slap League has spread online.
From MMA fighters and professional boxers to fans and pundits, criticism of the activity, which many refuse to acknowledge as a sport, has been widespread. Slap fighting sees two individuals exchanging slaps until one is either knocked out or concedes defeat.
Since the leagueâs debut, itâs come under fire for hosting a form of fighting that eliminates the possibility of defense. At a time when awareness surrounding CTE, concussions, and brain trauma is increasing, slap fighting has been branded by medical professionals as detrimental to growing safety efforts in combat sports.
That sentiment has been shared by numerous athletes, including UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling and rising boxing star Ryan Garcia, who revealed their negative takes on the Power Slap League on social media.
The latest to give their thoughts on the league, which is receiving frequent promotion on the UFCâs official channels having been formed by the organizationâs president, is two-time welterweight title challenger Thompson.
Unsurprisingly, having spent years honing his striking offense and defense to become one of the most elite standup fighters inside the Octagon, âWonderboyâ doesnât understand the logic behind slap fighting.
Thompson: âSlap Fighting Is Not Entertainingâ
During a recent episode of the Whatâs Up Everybody?! podcast, Thompson assessed the Power Slap League, which recently announced its inaugural pay-per-view event for the UFC Apex on March 11.
Like many, the #6-ranked UFC welterweight contender questioned the aim and appeal behind an activity that promotes inevitable damage. He also pointed to one recent instance of a slap fighterâs face becoming heavily swollen on one side, insisting that itâs not âentertaining.â
â(Itâs) crazy. I just feel like you donât have to be a professional athlete to slap-fight,â Thompson said. âI donât even know why. Youâre going into a sport knowing that youâre going (to get hit). Like, when youâre fighting, I can block, I can move my head; thereâs a lot of things I can do to prevent from getting hit. But (with this), youâre walking out there like, youâre going to get hit. And whatâs (more) demoralizing than getting slapped?
âWhat are they getting paid? That one guy whose whole entire side of his face was swollen⌠I donât even find it entertaining. Itâs not that entertaining. I donât know. It caters to the people that just want to see people get knocked out, thatâs it. Some knockout fetish,â Thompson continued. âThere is skill involved, talent, hard work (in MMA). What you gonna do (in slap fighting)? Build your slapping arm? Condition your hand? Are there training camps? Itâs so bad.â
Critics received more ammo when UFC veteran Eric Spicely gave an insight into how much money he was offered to appear in the Power Slap League. âZebrinhaâ claimed the deal would have seen him receive just $2,000 to show and $2,000 to win for his first match.
This is the most sense Aljo has made since March 6, 2021.
I dont like slap fighting, but I donât get my panties all twisted up about it.
Itâs all voluntary. Donât watch it, donât participate in it. Move on with life.
I sort of agree but as fans of the UFC, you really canât just ignore it. It is being pushed hard by the UFC marketing machine and it will continue to be pushed to during UFC broadcasts. Plus now theyâre having slap PPVs which will impact UFC broadcast schedules, as well.
100s of them will be in A & E something really bad will happen. Itâs fucked up.
It should of been Armwrestling it would be good to see them get paid
Its 2 weeks new . All the hype for weeks. Dana owned. Did you think it would fly under the radar ?
True, actually interesting to watch, a bit âdeeperâ sport