'Power Spank' mimics White's slap-fighting league

Organizers reject name-change demand, cite free speech

A match from Power Slap, the slap-fighting competition run separately by UFC CEO Dana White. A parody event called Power Spank has drawn White's ire. [Getty Images]
A match from Power Slap, the slap-fighting competition run separately by UFC CEO Dana White. A parody event called Power Spank has drawn White's ire. [Getty Images]

Power Slap, the slap-fighting competition founded by UFC CEO Dana White, is edging toward a legal dispute after sending a cease-and-desist letter to a parody spanking event that borrowed its name.

According to MMA Junkie and other US mixed martial arts outlets, Schiaffo LLC, the company behind Power Slap, recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Lingerie Fighting Championships (LFC) demanding it stop using the name "Power Spank."

Power Spank made its debut Oct. 11 in Clearwater, Florida, as part of an LFC event. The competition features female participants in lingerie taking turns striking each other on the buttocks — a satirical take on Power Slap, in which competitors slap each other across the face.

Eight competitors took part in the inaugural event, including MMA fighters, dancers and adult film actors. The tournament winner received a $500 prize.

The LFC said in an official statement that it would reject Power Slap's demand. The organization argued that Power Spank is a clear parody and therefore protected expression under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

The LFC also went on the offensive, citing safety concerns about Power Slap as the motivation behind creating Power Spank. The organization said one of its fighters had suffered a serious injury competing in a Power Slap event, and described Power Spank as an attempt to offer similar entertainment without the risk of brain damage.

Power Slap is a combat sports organization White founded in 2022 and formally launched in 2023. Competitors take turns slapping each other across the face, and the league has faced persistent controversy over the risk of brain injury since its debut.


yjc@heraldcorp.com