Jake Hager wants Power Slap return after knockout loss

Jake Hager plans to return to Power Slap despite getting knocked unconscious in his most recent appearance for the Dana White-backed promotion.

The 44-year-old, who held gold in WWE and fought for Bellator before moving to slap fighting, dropped his match against Amanpreet Singh earlier this month in Las Vegas. Hager told former WWE wrestler David Otunga that he made a technical error after controlling the first two rounds. "I rushed setting up my defense, setting up my chin in the proper way and then I was late to brace," he said, per MMA Mania. "Bracing is a really important part of your defensive strategy, so it was a rookie mistake but lesson learned."

Hager unfazed by viral knockout clip

Hager insisted the finish resulted from poor preparation rather than lack of ability. He said rewatching the bout showed him moving into position too quickly, which threw off his timing on the defensive brace. The knockout happened in front of a large crowd, which he admitted stung, but he dismissed online criticism. "You can't keep me down. I don't listen to the internet and I just keep going," Hager told Otunga.

He even suggested getting stopped might help his profile, noting that knockout clips generate more traffic than wins. "I have no injuries and I get more views when I get knocked out, so maybe I'll do it again," Hager said. White recently told CNBC that Power Slap content racks up massive numbers on YouTube and TikTok, calling it a global business with strong live event and broadcast components.

Hager is halfway through a six-slap deal with the promotion. His debut last April ended in victory, making the Singh loss his first setback in the sport.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Former WWE champ who got Power Slap’d into the fifth dimension ready to ‘do it again’ for some reason