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Shaquille O’Neal vs Charles Barkley ‘Booked’ by Dana White for Superbowl Weekend

Published 12/05/2023, 10:57 PM EST

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UFC CEO Dana White and his ‘Powerslap’ league has captured the attention of fans all over the globe. ‘Slap Fighting’ gained popularity through viral  videos on the internet and White decided to create a league dedicated to the high-impact contest! And in a recent update, legends from the world of basketball have also shown their interest in taking part in the upcoming Power Slap league event.

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley’s chemistry has led to many hilarious moments in the TNT NBA show featuring the pair! And it seems like fans can now watch these two legends resume their friendly rivalry beyond the confines of the basketball court! In a recent update, Dana White revealed that he is interested in watching the two face-off across the slapping table. And the response from the NBA legends indicate they’ve already got a plan in mind

Dana White receives new contestants for Power Slap from the NBA

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Slap fighting, with origins in Russia, involves opponents slapping each other until one can’t continue. In Power Slap, scoring depends on inflicted and absorbed damage, with matches featuring up to ten rounds. Defenders lose if they can’t recover within sixty seconds. Flinching leads to penalties. The ‘Power Slap League’ aims to take the sport mainstream with multiple live events throughout the year. As such, fans will be surprised to see NBA legends already showing their interest in taking part in the sport!

In a recent post on Twitter/X, UFC CEO Dana White shared an update with the fans stating that, “SHAQ vs Charles Barkley. Feb 9th Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas @powerslapleague”

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The post also featured a video from the TNT show featuring the NBA Hall of Famers where Barkley stated, “As long as I get to go first, coz you know, you soft, once I hit you, you gonna drop like a sack of potatoes!” Shaq responded with laughter and affirmed that Barkley can indeed take the first shot! White also retweeted the footage of the two with a caption asking the fans, “Shaq vs Chuck Power Slap match incoming, who you got?”

 

It remains to be seen how the saga plays out, and if their legendary battles on the basketball court are any indicator, fans can be assured to see sparks and slaps flying soon! And as the recent Power Slap highlights showcased, White and the fans may get to witness another spectacular knockout!

Power Slap knockout leaves Dana White stunned 

In the front row at a recent Power Slap event, UFC CEO Dana White witnessed a historic moment—the ‘hardest hit’ in the controversial sport of slap fighting. Brian Ellis, a figure often associated with promoting this niche sport, delivered a powerful slap that left Miles Jackson knocked out cold. The scene unfolded dramatically as Jackson, touted as part of ‘The Tallest in Power Slap history,’ fell face-first and snored upon impact. The UFC APEX in Las Vegas echoed with the force of the blow.

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Reacting to the intense knockout, White exclaimed, “Holy f****** s***,” capturing the severity of the moment. A fellow spectator, seated beside the MMA mogul, hailed Ellis’ slap as potentially the most impactful in Power Slap’s brief history.

UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell concurred, emphasizing it as an undisputed fact. As Jackson gradually regained consciousness, a lingering realization echoed in White’s quiet remark: “Not arguably.”  The event marked a significant moment, leaving an indelible impression on those present and fueling discussions about the intensity within the world of slap fighting.

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Do you think Charles Barkley can deliver on his promise of dropping the giant Shaquille O’Neal like “a sack of potatoes” in a slap fight? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Written by:

Dushyant Patni

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I am Dushyant Patni, a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. My passion for Mixed Martial Arts started because my father used to be a boxer and a martial arts fanatic. It passed down to me as my first pair of boxing gloves were his old ones! Prior to joining EssentiallySports, I honed my writing and editing skills across various organizations as a writer and an editor.
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Smrutisnat Jena