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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MARCH 20: UFC President Dana White speaks to the media during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference at Maracanazinho on March 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MARCH 20: UFC President Dana White speaks to the media during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference at Maracanazinho on March 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
To say that Dana White’s Power Slap League has taken everyone by storm would be an understatement. The ‘sport’ has been all over the news since the day it was announced, and it has truly lived up to the hype. In all honesty, the show, now airing on TBS Wednesday night, has left even the most extreme MMA and combat fans with their jaw on the floor.
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Not shockingly, even some fighters have expressed their surprise or shock you may say, at the league. Ashley Theophane, former boxer and training partner to Floyd Mayweather, is also one of them.
Ashley Theophane believes Dana White’s power slap league to be the most savage sport of our generation.
While the league has continued garnering negative reactions, it has also found a few fans as well. Theophane clearly seems to be one of those enjoying the sport as he posted a clip of it on his Facebook profile. The ‘savage’ video which showed a few knockouts was followed by the caption “Dana White really just created the most Savage sport since the Gladiator days…”
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 23: UFC president Dana White interacts with fans and media during the UFC press conference at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Is it really as brutal as gladiators killing each other for entertainment? Although it might be a far-fetched comparison, one can understand where Theophane’s judgement was coming from. With the type of damage that is being dealt in the events, it’s probably safe to say that it’s not too far from being called a savage sport.
Read More: Conor McGregor Tells Fans the Best Technique to ‘Take a Slap’
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Controversies surrounding the Power slap league
The league was mired in controversy even before it aired as Dana White’s video of him hitting his wife led to the show being postponed, as reported by ESPN. It has again continued to gain unfavorable attention after the first episode was aired. There have been quite a few who questioned the safety of the athletes owing to the hard-hitting knocks.
Just like any other sport, the league has its set of rules. The athletes compete for a total of three rounds with 30 seconds of recovery time in between. The winner can also be determined via knockout, which is quite obvious. Although these rules might sound solid, one can’t deny the damage that these athletes are dealing each other.
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Looking at the controversy surrounding the league, it’s quite natural for a new sport to be criticized. MMA was also subject to people questioning the safety of the fighters when it first started as well. Although UFC superstar Conor McGregor has come out in support of the league, there are still a few dissenting voices from MMA even. Maybe, there will be more fighters joining into support eventually just like Ashley Theophane did.
Watch This Story: Rogan Shares His Post-Divorce Plans, Dana White Speaks out About His Personal Life, Nate Diaz Exposes the Paul Family.
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