Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is known for never holding back when it comes to expressing his opinions.
Power Slap: A Face-Off Beyond the Octagon
Dana White has ventured into a new realm with "Power Slap," a pastime that involves two opponents taking turns slapping each other in the face as hard as possible without any defense. Utilizing the UFC marketing machine, White claims that Power Slap pulls in bigger numbers on social media than all major sports combined, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, F1, and WWE.
Dana White vs. Reporter on Power Slap: “You know who’s laughing? This guy!”
… It’s fucking unbelievable. Not only is it unbelievable money-wise, it’s been unbelievable as far as social media goes. We’re number one in all of sports. And when I say all the sports. If you take the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, F1 and WWE… and added them all together, their numbers don’t compare to slaps.
Source: TheMacLife on Youtube. – 07.05.2023
Dana said he has been fascinated with slapping for a long time. It showed up in his feed from time to time and often had view numbers in the millions.
PFL x Bellator Merger: A Strategic Acquisition
The worst kept secret in MMA finally reached its conclusion. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) acquired Bellator, a move discussed by Donn Davis in an interview with Ariel Helwani.
Donn Davis talks to Ariel Helwani how the acquisition happened:
Donn Davis Reveals Why PFL Acquired Bellator | The MMA Hour – 20.11.2023
The PFL, recognizing Paramount's divestment of assets in the spring of 2023, strategically approached them for a stock deal in November. Paramount now holds a minority share in the PFL, and no money changed hands in the acquisition.
Dana White, however, didn't hold back his criticism of the merger, describing both organizations as "shitty" and suggesting that combining two struggling entities doesn't make a winner. White's candid remarks once again showcase his unfiltered perspective on the competitive landscape of mixed martial arts.
Dana White Reacts to PFL's Purchase of Bellator, 'Very Bad' Turner-Green Stoppage, More | UFC Austin
… One shitty organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches, bus another shitty organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches. Sounds like a fucking winner to me, boy.
Source: MMA Junkie – 03.12.2023
Battle of the Metrics: Power Slap vs. Combat Sports Leagues
Source for search data: trends.google.com
| Average: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Slap: 1% | BKFC: 2% | Bellator: 5% | PFL: 7% |
A look at Google Trends data provides insights into the online popularity of Power Slap compared to major combat sports leagues like Bellator, PFL, and the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). On average, Power Slap registers at 1%, BKFC at 2%, Bellator at 5%, and PFL at 7%. In the realm of promotions, UFC dominates the search landscape with an average of 10%, leaving the others trailing significantly.
Source: trends.google.com
| Philippines | Vietnam | Malaysia | Indonesia | Thailand | |
| Power Slap | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| BKFC | <1 | 1 | <1 | <1 | 8 |
| Bellator | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | <1 |
| PFL | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| UFC | 95 | 94 | 97 | 97 | 89 |
Source: trends.google.com
Interestingly, when examining regional interest, the Philippines emerges as a hotbed for Power Slap, with 44% interest, surpassing even the UFC's stronghold. This data raises questions about the global appeal of Power Slap and its potential impact on the combat sports landscape.
| Philippines | Vietnam | Indonesia | Malaysia | Chile | |
| Power Slap | 44 | 35 | 29 | 24 | 22 |
| BKFC | 9 | 14 | 7 | 17 | 20 |
| Bellator | 17 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 28 |
| PFL | 30 | 20 | 31 | 25 | 30 |
Source for country data: trends.google.com
Dana can’t claim both: Power Slap generates more buzz than all major sports combined and belittle a combined PFL and Bellator for not pulling in numbers. Something has to give. At least according to data from Google, the combined PFL and Bellator organization is more relevant than Slaps.
In the midst of Dana White's bold claims, it is essential to recognize that, as a promoter, his role involves spinning narratives to generate interest and excitement. Lying and boasting is part of the job description. White has arguably been the best fight promoter over the last 10 years. We should remember this more often when promoters talk.