Legendary Mirko Filipović, Dražen Forgač, and Francisco Barrio have fiercely condemned Power Slap, the UFC's slap-fighting competition. Amid sharp criticism, the meager earnings of competitors and devastating scientific data on permanent neurological damage come to light.
As part of the UFC event in Belgrade, the 22nd edition of the slap-fighting competition known as Power Slap was held. This controversial 'sport' under the umbrella of the world's leading mixed martial arts organization has drawn sharp condemnation from some of the biggest names in the Croatian fighting scene, who consider it a dangerous spectacle devoid of any sporting value.
UFC President Dana White has recognized enormous potential in this business. Crypto platform VeChain reportedly shells out $76 million annually for the main sponsorship, and White claims Power Slap is the fastest-growing business venture of his career, with a billion views on social media.
Despite the organizers' dizzying revenues, the competitors' earnings are dismally low. Beginners receive $2,000 for showing up and the same amount for a win, meaning a loser goes home with $2,000 and a very likely concussion. Mid-tier fighters earn $5,000 per bout plus another $5,000 for a victory, while only a few elite 'slappers' can reach earnings above $20,000.
Dražen Forgač, owner of the Croatian fighting promotion FNC, revealed that he was approached with an offer to launch a similar competition but flatly refused. "Given our production and marketing expertise, some people contacted me even before 'power slap' grew this big. But I wasn't for it then, and I'm not for it now. For me, that's not fighting. You don't need any great skill beyond a hard head and a strong punch. It reminds me more of something you'd see at a firemen's party rather than a serious sport," Forgač told Večernji list.
Croatian-Argentine Francisco Barrio, better known as Croata, also turned down an offer to compete. "That's not a sport; it's a show, like bare-knuckle boxing. I guess it's a sport for those who haven't achieved anything in combat sports. I'm not interested, and that's why I asked for a lot of money, knowing they wouldn't accept it. I'm a fighter, and I won't let someone slap me without defending myself," Barrio said.
However, the harshest criticism came from the legendary Mirko Filipović. "Calling power slap a sport is beyond absurd. It's so dangerous for the participants' health that the consequences must be seen and felt, sooner or later. Don't get me wrong-MMA, kickboxing, and even boxing are dangerous for participants' health, but in those sports, as a competitor, you have the right to defend yourself," Cro Cop emphasized.
Filipović detailed the brutal reality of this 'sport': "In power slap, you stand at that table and let your opponent slap you with all their might. If they don't knock you out with the first slap-which often happens, resulting in horrifying knockouts and, of course, severe brain trauma-then you go to another round of slapping. It's terrifying. I understand that people are willing to do anything for money, but I don't know if they're aware of the brain trauma they're enduring from full-force blows to the head."
Cro Cop doesn't hide his disgust at what he sees. "It's sickening to watch people do this for chump change. Even if big money were involved, it wouldn't make a difference, but the pay is actually laughable, and people are taking bombs to the head without any chance to defend themselves. So, the required skill is zero. You just need to be crazy enough to allow it," he said.
He also took particular aim at the awarding of championship belts: "You're a champion at taking slaps. Because it's equally important, if not more so, to stay on your feet after your opponent 'freezes' you. Every now and then, I see some 'champions' on social media. Sure, those guys are beasts, no argument there. But standing across from such a guy is terrifying because when he slaps you with his right, you get Parkinson's instantly, and with his left-dementia. But everyone lives and works as they see fit. I honestly feel sorry for these people because I believe they're being exploited for chump change and aren't fully aware of the inevitable health consequences this 'sport' leaves behind."
Cro Cop's words are not an exaggeration. One study analyzed 333 'sporting' slaps and found devastating results: visible signs of concussion were recorded after 30 percent of individual slaps and as many as 50 percent of consecutive slaps. Even more alarming, nearly 78 percent of the studied competitors showed visible signs of neurological damage, including poor motor coordination, slow rising, and a blank stare.
