Power Slap, Dana White‘s audacious brainchild, has triggered polarising reactions from some of the biggest combat sports names. While many call this $100 million-worth slap-fighting league a source of entertainment, others term it as unsafe and unethical. Whatever, the opinions might be, Power Slap always ends up generating immense hype.
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Recently, one of the most loved UFC fighters, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson appeared in an interview with Fight Fluency. There, he talked about his upcoming fight against Michel Pereira at UFC 291. Moreover, he also expressed his unfiltered opinions about Dana White’s Power Slap.
Stephen Thompson clearly isn’t a fan of Power Slap
In a candid and straightforward critique, Stephen Thompson expressed his strong disapproval of Dana White’s Power Slap venture. The welterweight contender minced no words, deeming it the “dumbest sport for the athletes ever”. Moreover, Thompson questioned the feasibility of training for such a sport, wondering how athletes could possibly prepare themselves for the repetitive, damaging blows.
“Nay! I think that is the dumbest sport for the athletes ever. These guys are losing brain cells daily doing that. How do you practice that? How do you even train for that?” Thompson said. Further, he raised serious concerns about the potential health risks the athletes face.
“I mean these dudes, they’re getting slapped over and over again, they’re losing their hearing. They’re getting concussed all the time”, ‘Wonderboy’ said. Further into his statement, Thompson recalled the experience Forrest Griffin had while watching Power Slap live.
“It’s bad when you had Forrest Griffin out there seeing these guys get knocked out you just see him shake his head. He’s just like ‘What is going on?’” His statements have once again reminded fans about the controversial nature of Power Slap, but he also pointed out a silver lining about the venture.
But Power Slap is indeed exciting for fans!
Despite the criticism, Stephen Thompson also acknowledged the excitement that Power Slap brings to the fans. He described it as thrilling to witness fighters standing their ground and delivering knockout blows. “It’s exciting, it’s like super exciting for the fans. Just to see people stand there and get knocked out you know.”
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Stephen Thompson of the United States (right) and Tyron Woodley of the United States (left) have their fight declared a majority draw in their welterweight championship bout during the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Moreover, he even mused that the sport would have been even more impressive had it existed during ancient Gladiator times. “I think it’ll be more impressive if they did this back in the Gladiator times.”
Thompson may have hit the nail on the head with his reference to ‘Gladiator times,’ because Power Slap clearly did not sit well with a lot of modern-day combat sports fans and pros. In fact, the chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission openly stated having second thoughts about sanctioning the show.
Mired in controversy yet celebrated by many, what are your opinions about Power Slap? Do you find the league entertaining? Or do you think it shouldn’t exist? Comment down below.
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