The Power Slap league has seen a fair amount of criticism since its release. Although a small minority disagrees, there is a general sense of discomfort attached to the sport. Now, fans are accusing UFC President Dana White of promoting his Slap league more than the upcoming UFC events.
2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the UFC and a celebration campaign for the same. Not only has the UFC announced a bunch of stacked cards, but other exciting news as well. Recently, we also received news of PRIME Hydration becoming the Official Sports drink of the UFC as well.
There has a weird lack of promotion for #UFC284 and other cards recently..
it seems the focus is shifted towards promoting this slap thing:
on the UFC YouTube channel:
– only 3 videos are dedicated to ufc284 (p4p#1 vs p4p#2 + the interim)
– 19 videos to promote slap fighting. pic.twitter.com/8oGcukq4P2— Pablo_Escobar (@JM97_79) February 2, 2023
With such a big year and some well-anticipated matchups ahead, fans have wondered why there is a lack of promotion for it. Taking to Twitter, fans have pointed out that the focus has shifted towards promoting the Power Slap League on the UFC’s social media pages. Let’s take a look and find out for ourselves.
On the UFC’s official YouTube channel, 10 of the last 30 videos are about the slap league. Whereas on Instagram, 8 out of the last 30 posts have been about the slap league. In comparison, we have seen only 3 videos and 2 posts for the upcoming UFC 284: Makhachev vs Volkanovski which is only 10 days out!
Although not a bad card by any means, many feel that the level of fighters severely drops off after the main and co-main event. Previously, former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker was also meant to take on Paulo Costa at UFC 284. However, due to unsuccessful contract negotiations, ‘The Eraser’ refused to take on Whittaker in Australia.
Is Dana White only focusing on Power Slap – the fans react!
Ever since the slapping incident on New Year’s Eve, UFC President Dana White’s decision-making has been called into question. Although Dana admitted his mistakes and took full accountability, many felt that it was too soon for him to make his return to the public eye. Moreover, he was starting a slap-fighting league shortly after.
I can't stand all the Slap Fighting promos. I really hope that it doesn't last long.
— leonard (@lennyhaha) February 2, 2023
Sucks that they aren’t getting any promo but 284 low sucks. Only interesting fights are main and co main imo. With Whittaker it would have been so much better smh
— Jonslam Snowachev (@JonSnowachev) February 2, 2023
Crazy how people actually watch it and enjoy it
— Abu Ahmed (@Zubairburja) February 2, 2023
Crazy how shit this so called “sport” is. This tweet gets almost 40k views and less than 100 likes. This joke needs to be over with already
— Perk couzyns (@perkcouzyns) February 2, 2023
Rather see you guys promote bare knuckle fighting than this $h!T seriously
— CESAR (@cesaralexiiss) February 2, 2023
@danawhite Do you feel that your association with @powerslapleague could be demoralizing to fighters in @ufc ? How does changing the game affect your philosophy of the sport you built? I'm found on facebook and https://t.co/mG1fzMhGsT for a real response.
— Conley Rasor (@ConleyRasor) February 2, 2023
The UFC, and their fighters, have worked for years to change the people’s perception that it’s not just senseless violence in a cage watched by meat heads. Associating with PSL, flies in the face of what they’ve achieved. This is idiotic, brand damaging, senseless violence.
— Sam I Am (@sam_i_am82) February 2, 2023
Please keep it to MMA. This needs to stop.
— Tony O'Sullivan (@Tones88) February 2, 2023
Why is this tragic shit on Ufc?
Unfollowing now.— Sweet Swede (@realsweetswede) February 2, 2023
475k views and 752 likes. Read the room Dana.
— Tom (@Tombreey) February 2, 2023
Despite a large uproar and a heap of negative reviews, White continued on with the league. After a shockingly low viewership on Week 1, the views have slowly begun increasing. However, the audience rating for the show is still relatively low. With many feeling that this is being promoted over UFC events, fans’ frustrations are somewhat justified.
There have also been many other questions raised regarding fighter health and remuneration in the Power Slap League. Previously, Dana also defended the shockingly low pay that Power Slap athletes receive. As such, it has taken away from the sport even more and is an alarming cause of concern.
🏆 vs 🏆
#1 and #2 P4P in the world meet on our next PPV!
[ #UFC284 | Sat. Feb 11 | 📍 Perth, Australia ] pic.twitter.com/4bnBZUteAA
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2023
With UFC 284, fans are set to witness a rare champ vs. champ main event. Hence fans are rightly demanding a lot more attention for UFC 284 than the slap league. Taking place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia on February 11, 2023, the main event will see Islam Makhachev make his first title defense against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski.
As for the co-main, we have #2 and #5 ranked featherweights Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett battling it out for the interim featherweight title.
Thus, the event deserves a lot more hype and promotion than what we are currently seeing. Do you think Dana White is promoting the Power Slap more than UFC 284? Leave your thoughts on the matter in the comments below.
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