Dana White-owned Power Slap debuts Friday on YouTube, giving the league a chance to become more of a betting draw. The UFC owner reportedly moved off a deal with Toronto-based Rumble to help grow the combat sport on the popular online social media video and streaming app with Power Slap 12 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
“At the end of the day, this thing was built on the internet,” White said to Forbes. “I already know the sport works. Now, it’s about delivering it to as many eyeballs as possible.”
Where to bet on it
Power Slap has yet to hit mainstream sports, so finding a legal sportsbook to get down on Friday’s action isn’t easy. DraftKings offers odds on the fight card’s eight head-to-head matchups, but Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, and Oregon are the only U.S. jurisdictions that allow Power Slap betting. Wagering on Friday’s event is also available in Ontario.
In Power Slap 12’s only women’s bout, MMA fighter Paige VanZant is also the largest favorite of the night at -310 to defeat Mikael-Michelle Brown in the Bantamweight division.
The biggest male favorite Friday is Christapher Thomas at -190 over Christopher Debow in the Welterweight division.
How it got here
Las Vegas-headquartered Power Slap, launched in Jan. 2023, is licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. White originally had a deal with TBS before signing an 11-fight and broadcasting rights deal with online video and web host Rumble worth $30 million.
White recently left Rumble and reportedly turned down multiple linear television deals. Sports Business Journal reported blockchain logistics company VeChain, a UFC sponsor, inked a multi-year deal with Power Slap to help White make up for the loss of rights fees.
“Instead of building a whole marketing team and starting to spend money on marketing, we will be the marketing side of VeChain through Power Slap and the things we’re going to do on YouTube and influencers and all the other things we’re doing,” White said.
