Will Power Slap Ever Be Considered A Real Sport?

Power Slap or some variation of slap fighting is something I am sure many have heard of by now but what exactly is Slap Fighting?

Slap fighting is a physical activity that involves two individuals slapping each other’s faces until one person either gives up or is knocked out. It is a form of combat sport that is typically practiced in informal settings, such as on the street, at parties, or in underground competitions.

Slap fighting is generally not considered a safe or regulated sport, as it can cause serious injury to participants, including concussions, fractures, and soft tissue damage. In addition, there are concerns about the ethics of engaging in a sport that involves hitting another person in the face.

While some people may find slap fighting entertaining, it is not a recommended form of physical activity, and individuals who are interested in combat sports are encouraged to seek out more regulated and safe forms of competition, such as boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA).

Dana White however feels different about the pseudo sport as a whole.

“it’s insanely entertaining, and people are gonna like it. We pushed it back a week because I was supposed to do a whole media tour, which obviously wasn’t going to happen when I got back [from Mexico].”

– Dana White

“I’m making a documentary about the media that I’m putting together that I can’t wait to put out. Where I’m calling people out by name, the publication they work for… I can’t wait, trust me this is going to be a passion project for me,”  – said White sternly.

It is important to note that any activity can technically be considered a sport if it involves physical exertion and competition, but whether it is widely recognized as such depends on factors such as the level of organization, standardized rules and regulations, and spectator interest. Additionally, safety concerns and ethical considerations may also play a role in determining whether an activity is considered a legitimate sport.

CTE expert Dr. Bennet Omalu had this to say

“It is a very dumb, very stupid and unsafe. It is primitive,” Omalu said. “To me, such a sport is inconsistent with the intelligence of humans. It is possible that a participant could die from this. Somebody could die or suffer catastrophic brain damage and become a vegetable. How can he [Dana White] make that statement? It is like saying you will make a loaded gun safe. I do not blame the organizers so much, everybody wants to make a buck or easy money. But I feel the competitors have so much stupidity. It is silly, given what we know about concussion and blunt force trauma to the head. Why is TBS showing such a primitive sport? It should not be on TV.”

It is difficult to predict whether slap fighting will become a widely recognized and regulated sport in the future. Currently, it is not recognized as a sport by any major sports organizations or governing bodies, and is largely considered a niche or underground activity. However, it is possible that with increased popularity and organization, it could eventually gain more recognition as a legitimate sport.