Television network parts ways with Dana White's 'Power Slap'

A major television network in the United States has parted ways with Dana White's 'Power Slap'.

While the exact reason for the split remains unknown, it comes during a time when the debut season of the controversial sport has suffered heavy criticism.

Season 2 of 'Power Slap' won't feature on TBS, the American TV network has confirmed alongside Warner Media.

According to MMA Fighting, viewership was up and down throughout the first season of the slap-fighting reality series.

The finale reportedly drew in 220,000 average viewers with a .05 rating.

Meanwhile, the UFC - which is Power Slap's parent company - was getting a lot of heat across social media for promoting its events.

Now it has been confirmed that the series will not return to the network for a second season, instead being taken over by live streaming online video platform Rumble.

“I know the formula for this stuff now,” White said in a press conference after the finale.

“We’re going to move fast. I’ve got a two-year deal with Rumble. And the Abu Dhabi deal, we’re still working it out with them. But I’d love to do two seasons with them, do Season 2 and Season 3 over there.”

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, UFC president White went into more detail about the new vessel for the show.

“I’ve come to a two-year deal for [Power Slap]. We haven’t done the deal yet but we have a term sheet,” he said.

“I have a term sheet with Rumble for the next two years to deliver two more episodes of the reality show, Power Slap, and eight live fights, and I’m working on a deal right now to film season 2 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.”

Since its launch, Power Slap has come under a huge amount of criticism – much of it questioning the concussion protocols behind slapping someone in the face at full pelt.

When the Nevada Athletic Commission unanimously voted to sanction the first season of the sport, eyebrows were raised.

Former NAC chairman Stephen Cloobeck, who was involved in the voting at the time, recently told the Associated Press: “I made a mistake. I’m not happy about it.”