Florida‑based Lingerie Fighting Championship (LFC) is preparing for a legal showdown with Power Slap, the semi‑automatic rifle‑style slapping league co‑owned by UFC boss Dana White. The conflict centers on the name “Power Spank,” which Power Slap alleges infringes on its trademark.
Cease‑and‑desist letter sparks controversy
According to MMA Junkie, Power Slap’s legal team sent LFC a formal cease‑and‑desist letter shortly after the organization debuted the Power Spank event at a Florida venue last month. The Power Spank segment featured a butt‑slapping competition between scantily‑clad women, a parody that Power Slap claims violates its brand.
LFC stands firm on free‑speech grounds
Shaun Donnelly, CEO of LFC, responded publicly, emphasizing that the parody is protected speech under the First Amendment. “We respect Power Slap and its founders, but we will not be bullied into abandoning protected speech. We will defend our right, and the right of every American, to free speech, and if that takes us to the Supreme Court, we are prepared to go,” Donnelly said.
Donnelly explained that Power Spank was created after a LFC fighter was seriously injured at a Power Slap event. “We watched one of our fighters get seriously hurt at Power Slap… Power Spank is our answer: same energy, same theatrics, none of the brain damage. And let’s be honest, a spank is a lot more fun to watch than a slap,” he added.
Both sides claim the dispute is about more than a name
Power Slap argues that the similarity of the names could cause consumer confusion and dilute its brand, which has built a national following for its high‑intensity slapping contests. LFC counters that the parody is a legitimate commentary on the safety concerns surrounding Power Slap’s events, noting that “Combat sports can be bold and outrageous without being reckless. Power Spank proves you can still pack a house without packing an ambulance,” Donnelly claimed.
The legal battle is expected to focus on trademark law versus First Amendment protections. While Power Slap’s attorneys have not publicly commented beyond the cease‑and‑desist, they are likely to argue that the parody could mislead fans and damage the Power Slap brand.
Potential implications for combat‑sports entertainment
If the case proceeds to higher courts, it could set a precedent for how parody and branding intersect in the rapidly growing niche of combat‑sports entertainment. Advocates for free speech see the dispute as a test of whether creators can safely mock or critique popular sporting formats without facing costly litigation.
For now, both organizations remain entrenched. LFC has announced that future Power Spank events will continue as scheduled, while Power Slap has indicated it will pursue all legal avenues to protect its trademark.
Fans of both leagues are watching closely, aware that the outcome could influence how new combat‑sports concepts are marketed and protected in the future.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
