Joe Rogan has a theory about why Power Slap exists — and it starts with Dana White's love of gambling.
During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience featuring actor and musician Luke Grimes, Rogan floated the idea that the slap fighting league operates as a side revenue stream for the UFC boss, fueled by his well-known appetite for high-stakes gambling.
That's my theory about Slap Fight," Rogan said. "Why they're doing Slap Fight. I think it's like Dana's gambling money. I think it's like he needs some source of revenue outside of the UFC so he doesn't lose his UFC money.
Rogan reinforced the point by recalling a conversation with White about his lifestyle. "Because that dude gambles," he said. "I asked him once, 'Oh, you like living here?' He goes, 'I love the action.'"
Both Rogan and Grimes also acknowledged that Power Slap is simply hard to watch. "It's tough to watch, man. I don't watch it," Rogan said. "You just [see] people getting brain damage over and over again."
Rogan also took issue with the sport's branding, noting that calling the competitions "fights" felt like a stretch. "They call it fights, too. Like, okay. It's kind of insulting to an actual fight," he said.
White launched Power Slap in 2023 through a partnership with the TBS network. The league has drawn criticism from combat sports figures and medical professionals over concerns about competitor safety.