When it comes to CEOs in the MMA world, Dana White is undeniably at the top. From taking a debt-ridden brand in 2001, White has converted the UFC into a global phenomenon and a multibillion-dollar business from the ground up. Moreover, the head honcho has extended his arms with Power Slap and TKO Boxing. Many have tried to replicate his success, and many, including Darren Owen, have taken a swing. For the unversed, Owen launched the Global Fight League (GFL) with an ambitious vision: to give fighters more incentives like health insurance and even retirement benefits.
After an inaugural draft on January 24, 2025, things looked promising. Unfortunately, the debut event, originally scheduled for May, has been shelved for owing to his investors’ failure to meet their promises. On the other side, the UFC’s own Conor McGregor has also dipped into the promoter role, stepping into part ownership of BKFC. Now, there’s a new CEO aspirant in town: Anthony Smith. The former UFC title challenger has set his sights on a different lane, as the head of a regional Power Slap promotion. Fighting out of Omaha, Nebraska, Smith talked about starting a promotion in the same state.
Moreover, ‘Lionheart’ is set to compete in his retirement bout at UFC Kansas against up-and-comer Zhang Minyang on April 26. In that case, a post-retirement plan seems to be a fair thing to ponder. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Smith shared his goals and plans: “What I wanna do is start like a regional Slap Fighting show. Put it on fight pass.”
Helwani, intrigued, asked: “Is that possible? Is that a real thing?” Smith responded with a twinkle in his eye: “Yeah, I brought it up before, and they were open to the conversation for sure. Plus, you know what kind of crazy a– people I could find in Nebraska for people to do that s—? I am saying.”
Anthony Smith: What I wanna do is start, like, a regional slap fighting show.#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/PJR3n5iVRa
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) April 21, 2025
Helwani asked whether Anthony Smith would be both the owner and promoter, to which the light heavyweight star replied with a smile, “Wouldn’t that be sweet?” But while the dream sounds promising, it’s far from reality — and there’s one big reason for that: Hunter Campbell. Why? Let’s break it down.
Anthony Smith’s ‘Powerslap’ aspirations squashed by UFC CBO
Anthony Smith didn’t have his best night at UFC 310, suffering a KO loss in Round 2 to Dominick Reyes. But there was more going on than what fans saw in the Octagon. Smith was grieving the loss of his coach and close friend, Scott Morton—a pain that deeply affected his training camp and mental state. “I cried every single day on my way to practice and on my way back,” Smith said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “I was in absolute grief. I couldn’t even think straight.”
Given the emotional toll, it’s understandable that the fight didn’t go his way. Now, Smith is eyeing a different challenge—Power Slap. He recently revealed that he approached UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell about getting involved with the slap-fighting league. “I tried, but they told me no. Straight-up,” said Anthony Smith to Helwani. “I asked Hunter, and he told me no. He wouldn’t even bring it to Dana! I understand; I know why. I’m more analytical in my analysis and competition. And let’s be real, there’s no more analysis in Power Slap.”
So, with the UFC shutting the door, could Smith still make waves in the space by launching a regional Power Slap event of his own? He’s no stranger to forging his own path, and this could be the latest twist in a career full of resilience and reinvention. What do you think—does ‘Lionheart’ have what it takes to carve out a lane in slap fighting without the UFC’s backing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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