Sean O’Malley is not a fan of Dana White’s Power Slap League.
Power Slap is partially owned by the UFC president, but has received heavy criticism. “Power Slap: Road to the Title” airs Wednesdays on TBS; filming took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
O’Malley can see why people would tune into the reality show dynamic of Power Slap, but like Joe Rogan, says the competition isn’t for him. He expressed concern on the type of damage it could cause to the brain.
“It’s weird because some people just love it,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “I could see maybe watching the TV series part of it like ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ like them at the house, meeting them, seeing their back stories. But the actual ‘sport,’ whatever you wanna call it, itself, I can’t watch.”
He continued, “I cannot watch it. I don’t know if it’s I can’t watch it, because I understand what concussions are. I understand; I’ve been through them. I know how bad it is to do that to your brain. … I can’t even see it.”
O’Malley, the No. 1 ranked UFC bantamweight, is awaiting his shot at gold. Reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is expected to defend his title against returning former dual-champ Henry Cejudo next, but a date and venue is yet to be announced for their matchup.
“Suga” has said he’s been informed by the UFC brass that he will challenge the winner of Sterling vs. Cejudo when the bout comes to fruition.