Power Slap competitor Jon Kennedy suspended for positive cocaine test
Jon Kennedy, a competitor in Dana White’s Power Slap League, has become the sport’s first athlete to be suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission. The reason behind the penalty does not do the already questioned sport any favors as it was a positive drug test that will sideline Kennedy for nine-months.
Kennedy will not be allowed to compete again until at least Aug. 30, 2023 after testing positive for cocaine following a slap-fighting competition held on Nov. 30, 2022. He will also have to pay a $150 fine along with $326 in prosecution fees.
Cocaine is classified as a substance of abuse by the World Anti-Doping Agency and is banned in competition for all athletes.
Kennedy holds a Slap Fighting record of 2-2 and a professional mixed martial arts record of 10-38.
More on Power Slap
Two competitors take turns delivering powerful open hand strikes to each other’s faces until one wins the match.
Rules below are from the Power Slap League website
WHO STRIKES FIRST?
A coin toss or seeding method will determine who gets to elect to slap or defend first.
THE CLOCK
30 seconds to slap. 30 seconds to recover. Repeat.
DIVISIONS
Mens and Womens division.
WEIGHT CLASSES
Consistent with MMA.
ROUNDS
The number of rounds depends on the format, with the minimum being 3.
In each round, both competitors have the opportunity to deliver a single strike to their opponent’s face. And the obligation to receive their opponent’s strike in return.
METHOD OF VICTORY
KO, TKO and points.
Like boxing and MMA, Power Slap judging is based on a “10-point must system,” with a round winner scoring 10 points and the opponent scoring 9 or fewer.
Judging criteria is based on the strikers effectiveness, as well as the defender’s reaction and recovery time.
FOULS
Striker fouls include clubbing, stepping, illegal wind-up and delay of game.
Defender fouls include flinching, blocking and delay of game.
Foul consequences include warnings, point deduction, loss of strike, re-strike and disqualification.
