‘Not Good’ - Dana White provides worrying update as ex-WWE champion undergoes emergency surgery for brutal Power Slap injury
Dana White has reacted to former WWE champion Jake Hager's horrific eye injury during his latest Power Slap match after his fellow competitor provided a major update on his condition.
During a Power Slap event in Texas on September 17, former WWE star Hager, who won the World Heavyweight Championship in 2010 under the name Jack Swagger, suffered a horrific injury that left his eye leaking blood during a match against Johnny Magna.
Since then, fans have expressed concerns for his health on social media, prompting Power Slap and UFC boss White to provide a worrying update on the exact injury suffered, claiming it was one of the worst ever seen in combat sports.
Jake Hager Power Slap injury 'the worst injury we’ve had' claims Dana White
Earlier this year, Hager made a surprise career move as he signed a six-appearance deal with Power Slap, starting his run with a third-round knockout win over Devin Jenkins at Power Slap 19 in April.
Advert
His second appearance didn't exactly go to plan as he was knocked out by Amanpreet Singh at Power Slap 21 in July.
But it was his most recent that went worse than he could have imagined as he suffered a brutal injury that left his left eye leaking blood following a huge slap in the second round that forced the doctors to stop the match.
“Not good. That’s probably the worst injury we’ve had in the UFC, in Power Slap, anything,” White claimed during a live stream with Nina Drama.
“It looks like his tear duct ruptured. Something like that. Something crazy.
"I don't give a f*** if we've got to fly a doctor in from Germany, we're going to get this guy taken care of. The doctors have said they've never seen it before."
White added that, after seeing the injury live at the event, he was so concerned about Hager's health that he even told the production team not to replay the footage of the slap out of respect.
“I wouldn’t even let our guys replay it,” White said. “Nobody needs to see that.”
WARNING: Graphic footage of Hager's injury below.
Jake Hager underwent emergency surgery after Power Slap eye injury
Shortly after the event, Hager’s partner Patricia Blackburn, who is also a Power Slap fighter, revealed that he had undergone emergency surgery on his eye soon after the match.
Although she kept details of the specific injury and Hager's current condition private, she thanked fans for their support and revealed that her partner is now recovering from surgery.
"Thank you to the UFC and Power Slap family for the incredible love and support you’ve shown Jake during this difficult time," Blackburn told Slap News.
"Jake is currently recovering from an emergency eye surgery. We’re taking things one day at a time and keeping the details private, but your kindness, support, and genuine concern have meant more than you know.
"Thank you for being there for Jake. We’re so grateful to be part of a community that shows up when it matters most."
Having now suffered two consecutive knockout losses, one of which has left him with a brutal injury, it is now unclear if Hager will continue to compete in Power Slap events.
READ MORE: 'I thought he wasn't alive' - UFC star makes concerning admission after brutal slam knockout
Topics: Dana White, WWE, Wrestling
Ben McCrum