Dana Whites Power Slap league faces more controversy as several competitors are banned and fined

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Dana White’s slap fighting league is facing fresh controversy as six competitors have been punished for positive drug tests.

Slap fighting is a new sport that involves two competitors on either side of a podium taking turns to slap each other in the face with the aim of scoring a knockout blow.

The UFC president shocked fans when he decided to launch his own league and faced backlash for pressing ahead with it after he was caught on camera slapping his wife at a New Year’s Eve party.

Power Slap debuted initially to a muted response, but 24 hours later social media was flooded with slap fighting highlights which worried and disturbed in equal measure.

The heat White was taking got even worse when UFC veteran Eric Spicely revealed he was offered just $2,000 (£1,611) for a Power Slap fight.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission announced punishments for six Power Slap stars who have tested positive for banned substances ranging from steroids to recreational drugs.

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The fighters, who were already serving temporary suspensions, have been hit with full suspensions, fines, and some bouts have even been overturned by the commission, according to MMA Fighting.

Full list of Power Slap punishments

  • Jay Rivera, who competed in a slap fighting bout on March 11, suspended for six months after testing positive for GW-1516, sulfone and sulfoxide, hormone and metabolic modulators. He must pay a $200 fine from his purse along with $326 in prosecution fees, and he will be eligible to compete again after Sept. 3.
  • T.J. Thomas, who competed in a slap fighting bout on March 9, suspended six months after testing positive for clomiphene, a hormone and metabolic modulator. He must pay a $50 fine from his purse and $285.25 in prosecution fees, and his win is overturned to a no-contest. He is eligible to compete again after Sept. 9

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  • Chris Thomas, who competed in a slap fighting bout on March 11, suspended for six months after testing positive for Buprenorphine, a narcotic and its metabolite norbuprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Thomas must also pay a $1,000 fine along with $326 in prosecution fees and his win was overturned to a no-contest. He is eligible to compete again after Sept. 11
  • Andrew Provost, who competed in a slap fighting bout on March 11, suspended six months after testing positive for Buprenorphine, a narcotic and it’s metabolite norbuprenorphine. He must pay a $500 fine along with $326 in prosecution fees and will be eligible to compete again after Sept. 11
  • Isaih Quinones, who competed in a slap fighting bout on March 11, suspended for 12 months after testing positive for 19-Norandrosterone, drostanolone, tamoxifen and boldenone, which are anabolic steroids, and an elevated testosterone level. He has to pay a $750 fine, another $495 fee for additional testing required and $326 in prosecution fees. He will be eligible to compete again after March 11, 2024.
  • Frank Holland, who competed in a slap fighting bout on March 11, suspended six months after testing positive for phentermine, a stimulant that can be prescribed for weight loss. He has to pay a $500 fine along with $326 in prosecution fees and he’ll be eligible to compete again after Sept. 11.

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