From viral YouTube clips to organized combat sport — Power Slap makes its regional debut at Abu Dhabi Showdown Week

From viral YouTube clips to organized combat sport — Power Slap makes its regional debut at Abu Dhabi Showdown Week
Power Slap President Frank Lamicella (right) with UFC boss Dana White. (Supplied)
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Updated 23 October 2024
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From viral YouTube clips to organized combat sport — Power Slap makes its regional debut at Abu Dhabi Showdown Week

From viral YouTube clips to organized combat sport — Power Slap makes its regional debut at Abu Dhabi Showdown Week
  • Power Slap president Frank Lamicella spoke to Arab News about the brand’s partnership with UFC and its growth around the world
  • Space42 Arena will host contest between Da Crazy Hawaiian and Dumpling on Oct. 24

DUBAI: From a YouTube curiosity to an organized combat sport owned by no less an organization than Dana White’s Ultimate Fighting Championship, Power Slap has now made its way to the Middle East.

For those unfamiliar with these viral online clips, Power Slap is exactly what it sounds like — two contestants stand face to face and slap each other, and the last man standing wins.

And on Thursday, as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week 2024 (which culminates with UFC 308 on Oct. 26) Space42 Arena will host the region’s first Power Slap contest between two of the sport’s biggest names — Da Crazy Hawaiian and Dumpling.

Power Slap president Frank Lamicella told Arab News: “Dana has talked about this a lot, but the history of Power Slap is about five (or) six years ago, we started seeing these clips on YouTube, slap fighting clips. It was very disorganized.

“These clips were doing like 300 million views. This was around 2018. And I think it’s kind of come full circle, because the first guy that Dana ever watched in these clips was Dumpling, who’s in our Super Heavyweight Championship fight.”

While the sport’s development was halted by the global pandemic, Lamicella and UFC still had big plans.

“We got a group together and we basically ran a pilot out of the Apex. We ran about 30 matches, wrote the rules, worked on the production, really dialed in the whole sport. Then the first thing we did was got it regulated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. And here we are,” he said.

Eight events later, Power Slap moved to Durango Casino for this year’s Super Bowl weekend, which was “a huge hit.”

“And now we’re at Fountain Blue in Las Vegas,” said Lamicella. “We did an event during International Fight Week this year. And right after that, we signed a five-event extension with Fountain Blue. They’ll be our home in Las Vegas for Power Slap events.”

Next up, though, is Space42 Arena in Al-Raha: “Obviously super excited to bring the first event to Abu Dhabi. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the Department of Culture and Tourism and Abu Dhabi, and we’re really excited to add it to Showdown Week.”

From modest early viewing numbers, Power Slap audiences have grown rapidly.

Lamicella said: “This is what we’re super excited about, now we’re able to travel the show. We started at Apex probably around 300-400 people, invite only. We didn’t sell any tickets for the first four or five events. And then we started selling just VIP packages, which sold out immediately. And then we saw that fans were interested in coming to the event.”

He continued: “We went a little bigger at Durango, probably up to 800-1,000 people. Then at Fallon Blue, we had over 3,500 people there and sold that show out. So the event is extremely fun, it’s run very different than other sporting events.

“It’s around three hours, but it’s almost like it’s a party atmosphere and it’s full of influencers, celebrities, and the fights are great. There are incredible moments during each slap match, and that’s what we think fans love.”

The popularity of organized Power Slap is on the rise in the US and Lamicella is confident it will spread globally.

“When it first started, it was coming out of Russia, Poland, and America. Over the last six months, I’ve seen leagues pop up in Mexico, I’ve seen leagues pop up in South Africa. We have some experienced slap fighters from South Africa that are on our roster now,” he said.

“We’ve seen a league pop up in South Korea. I think what’s fascinating is, for example, that South Korea league, they run MMA fights and then started doing some slap fights. The slap fights, we’re doing 200 million views for them on Instagram. And the MMA fights out of that league, we’re doing half a million. So I think you’re going to see more and more leagues, especially as we continue to legitimize the sport and do what we’re doing, bringing it around the world and putting it in front of a variety of different fans.”

Power Slap will also be making its way to Saudi Arabia, after UFC recently announced a partnership with Riyadh Season.

“We’re planning an event in Riyadh in January next year,” said Lamicella. “We’re excited to go around the region and continue to build.”

For now, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening, all eyes will be on Da Crazy Hawaiian and his inspiration, Dumpling.

“We knew from the beginning this would be a match that would happen,” said Lamicella. “To start with Dumpling, the first fight he was ever in was in Power Slap 8, in June. He’s a farmer from Siberia. He had to take five flights to Las Vegas.

“We got him out here early. We worked with him a little bit because the rules he was used to in Russia are a little different here in Power Slap. And then he comes on stage and knocks this guy out in one slap. And it was a huge moment for us, we knew he would be on a collision course with Da Crazy Hawaiian.

“Da Crazy Hawaiian was one of the first guys we brought over to Power Slap. He was the existing super heavyweight champion at another promotion in the US. He’s undefeated in Power Slap. And he looked up to the Dumpling — Dumpling is the reason he got into slap fighting. So now we have them coming head to head. I think it’s going to go down as a legendary title slap-fighting match. When we look back five years from now, we’ll look at this match and say hey, that was one for the record books.”


Former Liverpool goalkeeper Karius signs for Schalke

Updated 45 sec ago
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Former Liverpool goalkeeper Karius signs for Schalke

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Karius signs for Schalke
Karius has bounced around teams in England, Germany and Türkiye but has failed to secure significant game time
"Schalke are a big club with passionate fans," Karius said

BERLIN: Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius on Tuesday signed for German second-division side Schalke, the latest in a series of clubs as he tries to revive his career.
Karius has bounced around teams in England, Germany and Türkiye but has failed to secure significant game time.
The 31-year-old was widely criticised following an error-ridden performance in Liverpool's 3-1 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in 2018, his last match for the club.
Five days after the match, Karius was diagnosed with concussion, having collided with Real defender Sergio Ramos.
Most recently he was with Premier League club Newcastle but has been a free agent since his contract expired in July 2024.
"Schalke are a big club with passionate fans," Karius said in a statement, adding "I'm looking forward to training with the team."
Karius joins fallen giants Schalke, who are also looking for an upturn in fortunes.
One of Germany's biggest clubs with seven top-flight titles, Schalke sit just six points above the relegation play-off place in the German second division.
Having arrived in Gelsenkirchen for a medical on Friday, Karius is expected to be Schalke's back-up 'keeper behind Justin Heekeren.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius on Tuesday signed for German second-division side Schalke, the latest in a series of clubs as he tries to revive his career. (X/@aa_spor)

Officials reinforce Japan-Saudi sports relations

Officials reinforce Japan-Saudi sports relations
Updated 14 January 2025
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Officials reinforce Japan-Saudi sports relations

Officials reinforce Japan-Saudi sports relations

Matsumoto Hisashi, Japan’s parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs, visited the Saudi Judo Federation on Monday during his visit to the Kingdom, further strengthening the relations between the two countries. 

The visit highlighted the Saudi Judo Federation’s achievements and its future programs. Additionally, the Japanese official paid a visit to the Mahad Academy to attend a judo demonstration.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Matsumoto also held a meeting with Rakan bin Ibrahim Altouq, the assistant minister of culture, to further foster Japan-Saudi culture relations. He, alongside a Japanese delegation, also held talks with Saudi officials to discuss Vision 2030.

 


Banton, Pooran steer MI Emirates to emphatic 26-run triumph over Dubai Capitals

Banton, Pooran steer MI Emirates to emphatic 26-run triumph over Dubai Capitals
Updated 14 January 2025
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Banton, Pooran steer MI Emirates to emphatic 26-run triumph over Dubai Capitals

Banton, Pooran steer MI Emirates to emphatic 26-run triumph over Dubai Capitals
  • Victory at Zayed Cricket Stadium was MI Emirates’ first win of the DP World ILT20 season

ABU DHABI: The MI Emirates cruised to their first win of the DP World ILT20 season against the Dubai Capitals at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday evening.

With half-centuries from Tom Banton and Nicholas Pooran, the MI Emirates clinched a 26-run win.

Shai Hope was the star of the match with a magnificent 101 runs in 59 balls, but it was in vain as the Dubai Capitals lost to the MI Emirates for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The course of the game turned in favor of the MI Emirates with Fazalhaq Farooqi’s over, where he picked up two wickets and conceded just three runs.

With the Capitals chasing a daunting target of 188, the MI Emirates opened their bowling with spin. Akeal Hosein was handed the new ball and the move nearly paid off in the third over.

This was when Ben Dunk skied a quicker one, but Waqar Salamkheil dropped the sitter. Hope, at the other end, did the bulk of the scoring and anchored the Capitals’ innings.

Alzarri Joseph gave the MI Emirates the breakthrough as he bowled Dunk in the sixth over, but Hope motored on at the other end and brought up his 50 in 32 deliveries.

Hope and McMullen put up 61 for the second wicket before the latter was stumped by Pooran. It was a redemption tale for Salamkheil as he finally got his man.

Hope remained unscathed and hit AM Ghazanfar for a four and six as he brought up his T20 career’s second century. This was the first century scored by a Dubai Capitals player and also the third 100 in the history of the DP World ILT20. Hope fell with the next ball.

The momentum swung the MI Emirates’ way thereafter as Farooqi dismissed Sikandar Raza with a toe-crushing yorker. Farooqi made it two in two as he crafted another brilliant yorker to get rid of Dasun Shanaka’s off-stump.

The Dubai Capitals were left to rue their chances as Zahoor Khan bowled a fantastic 19th over, giving away just one run. The Dubai Capitals needed 36 in the final over, but it proved to be too steep a hill to climb.

Earlier in the evening, the MI Emirates stuttered as Dushmantha Chameera was on the money in his very first delivery. He outfoxed Kusala Perera and dislodged his leg stump to give the Dubai Capitals an early footing in the game.

Banton joined Muhammed Waseem in the middle and the duo offered the MI Emirates much-needed stability with a key partnership of 38 runs that was littered with boundaries.

However, Raza made amends for a missed catch earlier as he found the stumps with a stunning throw from mid-off and Waseem returned to the pavilion for 18. The powerplay ended with the MI Emirates putting up 50 for two, with both teams having plenty of positive takeaways.

Banton continued to thrive on one end, bringing up his half-century in style as he swept Zahir Khan for a huge six on the leg side to wrap up the 11th over.

Coming in at number four, Pooran joined the party as he clobbered two fours and six sixes in a 29-ball endeavor that yielded 59 runs. Pooran took Olly Stone for three successive sixes in the 15th over.

The skipper began his onslaught with a perfectly timed scoop, the next was a fortunate edge that sailed over the ropes, and the third was a repeat of the first. In pursuit of a fourth consecutive maximum, he holed out to Shanaka at deep midwicket.

Stone struck again in the 18th over as he got rid of Banton, the architect of MI Emirates’ innings, for a top score of 74 runs in 52 balls.

Romario Shepherd, Kieron Pollard and Joseph made up Gulbadin Naib’s second consecutive three-wicket haul in the final over as the Capitals restricted the MI Emirates to 187 for seven.

Expressing his regret on not bringing the Capitals home, centurion Hope said: “A 100 always feels a lot sweeter when you end up on the winning side.

“Just unfortunate I could not get the team there, but we just fell short with the bat. It was a pretty good pitch, and I thought we did well to restrict them to under 200.”

Meanwhile, Player of the Match, Banton remarked: “It was tricky to begin with. We spoke pre-game that someone’s got to bat through the innings. I looked to put pressure back on the bowlers when the ball was in my area.

“I’ve played a lot of cricket here and the wickets are always good. It’s my first year here, I was with MI Cape Town last year. Someone has to put his hand up every game, and today it was me.”

Brief scores:

MI Emirates beat Dubai Capitals by 26 runs.

MI Emirates 187-7 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 74, Nicholas Pooran 59, Kieron Pollard 22, Gulbadin Naib 3 for 27).

Dubai Capitals 161-6 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 101, Brandon McMullen 16, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2 for 22).


Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games

Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games
Updated 14 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games

Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games
  • Meeting at Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquarters in Riyadh

RIYADH: Officials representing the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto discussed on Monday plans for the hosting of the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya city in 2026.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the SOPC’s CEO and Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Baeshen attended the meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The officials discussed ways to facilitate the participation of Saudi Arabia’s sports delegation in the games.

Collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the SOPC and the Japanese Olympic Committee on the sidelines of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Set to begin in September, the theme of the 2026 Asian Games is “Imagine One Asia.”


‘Ready and excited’: Beterbiev looking to remain undefeated in rematch with Bivol at ‘The Last Crescendo’

‘Ready and excited’: Beterbiev looking to remain undefeated in rematch with Bivol at ‘The Last Crescendo’
Updated 14 January 2025
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‘Ready and excited’: Beterbiev looking to remain undefeated in rematch with Bivol at ‘The Last Crescendo’

‘Ready and excited’: Beterbiev looking to remain undefeated in rematch with Bivol at ‘The Last Crescendo’
  • The fight, backed by Riyadh Season, will determine the undisputed light-heavyweight champion

LONDON: Artur Beterbiev on Monday declared his readiness and excitement for his highly anticipated rematch against Dmitry Bivol, headlining the blockbuster boxing event “The Last Crescendo” on Feb. 22 in Riyadh.

The fight, backed by Riyadh Season, will determine the undisputed light-heavyweight champion.

“I am ready and excited, and looking forward to the match,” Beterbiev told Arab News during a press conference in London. The undefeated champion highlighted his respect for Bivol’s skills and his confidence in securing another win.

Their first fight was a closely contested bout, showcasing their talent and tenacity. Bivol, seeking redemption, expressed his determination to reclaim the title and avenge his only career loss.

The event features a stellar lineup of undercard bouts, with champions and rising stars ready to deliver memorable performances.

Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker
Dubois, the IBF heavyweight champion, will defend his title against former WBC champion Parker. “I’ve pushed myself harder than ever in training. This is my time to shine,” said Dubois. Parker, undeterred, vowed to use his experience to regain a world title.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield
In a WBC lightweight title bout, Stevenson will face Schofield, a rising star in the division. “This fight is a stepping stone to solidify my legacy,” Stevenson said. Schofield called the match a “dream opportunity” to prove his worth on the world stage.

Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz
WBC middleweight champion Adames will battle the undefeated Sheeraz. “I’m here to make a statement and bring the title home,” Sheeraz said. Adames, determined to retain his belt, promised to “show the world why I’m the champion.”

Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel
Heavyweight powerhouses Zhang and Kabayel will face off in a bout with global intrigue. “The support of Saudi Arabia is incredible, and events like these align with Vision 2030 to promote global sports and cultural exchange,” Zhang said.

Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith
Two rising stars of the light-heavyweight division will clash in a bout that could redefine the division’s future.