A professional slap-fighting competition is heading to Riyadh in January 2025
Power Slap is making its debut in Saudi Arabia…
Get ready to experience the ultimate slapping showdown in Power Slap (yes, you read that right).
The new combat sports venture backed by UFC boss Dana White is coming to Riyadh for the first time as part of Riyadh Season’s expanded partnership with UFC, which extends beyond the octagon. The new agreement will also see another UFC event in Riyadh on Saturday February 1, 2025.
Meanwhile, the first-ever Saudi Arabian Power Slap event will take place on Thursday January 30, 2025, at The Venue, a brand-new Riyadh Season location.
For the uninitiated, slap fighting is exactly what it sounds like: Two contestants slapping each other. Hard. The bout typically ends when only one of them is conscious.
And like any competition, there are rules in this bizarre event. For instance, who slaps whom first is decided prior to the event by a coin toss. As first-round knockouts can be commonplace in slap fights, going first provides a considerable advantage.
Power Slap fights are typically three to five rounds. The fighters take turns hitting each other in the face with an open hand, and those on the receiving end stand with their hands behind their backs.
They can only dish out open-handed slaps, the heel of their hand must not go further than their opponent’s chin, and there’s no pivoting of the hips or stepping during a strike.
Power Slap has the same weight classes as MMA. There are currently five male weight classes – welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight. For female competitors, the only weight class showcased has been featherweight. However, more female weight classes may be added in the future.
Intrigued about Power Slap? You can watch it here.
Slap. Eat. Repeat. 🔁 The strikers have been eating in Season 3 🍽️
[ Tune into Ep 8 THIS WEDNESDAY 9pm ET/6pm PT FREE on Rumble ] pic.twitter.com/9RvFh4fxN5
— Power Slap (@powerslap) September 9, 2024
Not many details about Power Slap Riyadh, such as ticketing information and fight card, have been disclosed, but stay tuned to whatsonsaudiarabia.com for all the updates in the lead-up to the event.
Power Slap, Jan 30, 2025, The Venue, Riyadh. @riyadhseason
Images: Social