Dana White has never been one to follow the crowd. The UFC boss built an empire by taking risks, doubling down when others hesitated, and proving doubters wrong. Now, with Power Slap, the slap fighting league that has sparked both fascination and controversy, White is doing it again. But this time, the gamble is bigger than ever.

According to recent reports, Power Slap is walking away from guaranteed millions, cutting ties with the ‘Rumble’ platform, and stepping into uncharted waters. The destination? YouTube. But just as the dust was settling on the news, another massive update hit social media.

As revealed in a post on X by Jed I. Goodman, “Dana White tells Forbes that 350 creators have committed to attend Power Slap 12.”

That’s not just a handful of influencers. That’s a significant number of digital powerhouses that have the chance to bring even more eyeballs to Power Slap as the league makes the shift to YouTube. But why make such a bold move? And what does this mean for the future of Power Slap?

In his interview with Forbes, White stated in his trademark manner, “You know who I like to bet on? Me.”

White’s decision to ditch Rumble wasn’t made lightly. The platform had been home to Power Slap’s first 11 events, securing millions in guaranteed revenue. But Dana White isn’t the type to settle. Instead, he’s shifting gears, taking control, and betting on his own ability to sell the spectacle.

He further shared in his interview, “We own everything, and we control everything, we are basically creating our own destiny.”

That destiny now includes a massive six-year, $76 million deal with VeChain—a blockchain giant worth billions. The partnership makes VeChain the official naming rights sponsor of Power Slap, as well.

But here’s the twist, this deal pays significantly less than Rumble did. According to Forbes, Power Slap’s former deal brought in around $30 million per year, covering a majority of the promotion’s estimated $50 million in 2024 revenue. By comparison, the VeChain deal averages just over $12.6 million per year. So why take the risk?

Dana White plans to deliver ‘Power Slap’ to “as many eyeballs as possible” with the move to YouTube  

If the move from Rumble to YouTube seemed like a financial step back, Dana White sees it as a strategic leap forward. Why? Because Power Slap was never built for traditional TV. According to him, “At the end of the day, this thing was built on the internet, I already know the sport works; now it’s about delivering it to as many eyeballs as possible.”

That effort to reach a broader audience paid off as Power Slap 11 pulled in 4.3 million viewers on Rumble, a platform with just 50-60 million monthly users. Imagine what those numbers could look like on YouTube.

But here’s where the real money comes in, international events. Power Slap’s future isn’t just in YouTube views; it’s in site fees from countries eager to host. White revealed that he already has a deal with Saudi Arabia for six events over the next two years, each raking in $15 million. Abu Dhabi and Qatar are on board, and talks are underway for Brazil and South Africa in the near future.

With his longtime business partners, the Fertitta brothers and Craig Piligian, Dana White has no plans to hand over control either. He proclaimed, “I don’t like to have to answer to anybody, we built the business however we see fit. We do whatever the f— we want. ”

In the end, while critics may question his decision to leave behind guaranteed millions, White is playing a bigger game. YouTube is just the beginning. With international site fees rolling in and legal sanctioning expanding, Power Slap is steadily carving out its place in combat sports.

Will it ever rival the UFC? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!