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.”


Ronaldo closes on Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides reign

Ronaldo closes on Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides reign
Updated 28 February 2025
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Ronaldo closes on Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides reign

Ronaldo closes on Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides reign
  • Al-Hilal topped the league stage on goal difference from Al-Ahli with both unbeaten in eight matches
  • Al-Nassr finished five points clear of fourth-placed Al-Sadd of Qatar and Ronaldo’s side take on Iran’s Esteghlal over two legs, the first in Tehran on Monday

TOKYO: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr travel to Iran in the Asian Champions League next week with his side one of three from Saudi Arabia in the last 16 of the region’s top club competition.
Saudi teams dominated the tournament’s West zone league stage, with four-time Asian champions Al-Hilal leading Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr in the top three in the final table.
Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo’s move in late 2022, and the desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034.
Al-Hilal, the last side from Saudi Arabia to win the Champions League in 2021, topped the league stage on goal difference from Al-Ahli with both unbeaten in eight matches.
Al-Nassr finished five points clear of fourth-placed Al-Sadd of Qatar and Ronaldo’s side take on Iran’s Esteghlal over two legs, the first in Tehran on Monday.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United star Ronaldo scored six goals in the league stage and is still going strong at the age of 40.
A first Asian crown would add to a bulging trophy haul that already includes five UEFA Champions League titles.
The Portuguese has been joined at Al-Nassr by Colombian striker Jhon Duran, although the big-money signing from Aston Villa was sent off during a Saudi league game last week.
The red card infuriated Ronaldo, who lashed out at the referee and booted the ball into the stands before continuing to remonstrate with the officials.
Coach Stefano Pioli will need his players to keep their heads against Esteghlal, who Al-Nassr beat 1-0 in the league stage thanks to a late goal from former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte.
“We must try to improve every day as we have not yet reached the level where we can compare ourselves with the first level of world football,” Pioli said.
Al-Hilal can no longer call on the services of Brazil’s Neymar but they will still start as heavy favorites in their last-16 tie against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.
Al-Ahli meanwhile saw their front three of England’s Ivan Toney, Brazil’s Roberto Firmino and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez all enjoy goalscoring form in the league stage.
German coach Matthias Jaissle will need them keep it going in the last 16 against Qatar’s Al-Rayyan.
“We achieved a historic record in this edition without losing, and this is not easy,” he said.
“We have the support of the fans and we look forward to winning this tournament.”
Japanese sides led the way in the East zone’s league phase, with last season’s runners-up Yokohama F-Marinos topping the table ahead of compatriots Kawasaki Frontale.
Yokohama, now coached by Gareth Southgate’s former England assistant Steve Holland, play China’s Shanghai Port in the last 16.
Kawasaki face Shanghai Shenhua while a third Japanese team, the domestic champions Vissel Kobe, take on South Korea’s Gwangju.
At least one non-Japanese team is guaranteed to advance in the East zone, with Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim meeting Thailand’s Buriram United.
Johor’s Argentine coach Hector Bidoglio has been impressed with his team’s performances so far.
“Before the start of the competition we set our target to qualify for the next stage,” he said after they booked their place with a 5-2 win over South Korea’s Pohang Steelers.
“But now we have not only qualified but we did it by showing our type of football.”
Last-16 games are played over two legs, with the winners going through to a finals stage to be played in Saudi Arabia in April and May.


Australia in Champions Trophy semis after rain hit Afghanistan’s chances

Australia in Champions Trophy semis after rain hit Afghanistan’s chances
Updated 28 February 2025
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Australia in Champions Trophy semis after rain hit Afghanistan’s chances

Australia in Champions Trophy semis after rain hit Afghanistan’s chances
  • Afghanistan had totalled 273 all out in 50 overs after they winning the toss and batting
  • Australia were 109-1 in 12.5 overs when rain stopped play, giving them technical victory

RAWALPINDI: Australia qualified for the Champions Trophy semifinals on Friday after their Group B match against Afghanistan ended without a result in persistent rain in Lahore on Friday.
Chasing 274 for victory at Qaddafi Stadium, Australia were 109-1 in 12.5 overs when rain stopped play, giving them four points in their three games.
Afghanistan, who have three points from two games, need England to beat South Africa by a big margin in Karachi on Saturday to sneak into the last four on net run-rate.
Afghanistan’s -0.99 net run-rate is inferior to South Africa’s 2.14 despite beating former world champions England by eight runs in Lahore on Wednesday.
Australia were well placed to chase down the target with opener Travis Head not out after a 40-ball 59 not out spiced with nine boundaries and a six.
Steve Smith was unbeaten on 19 after Matthew Short was dismissed for 20.
Heavy rain stopped play and as water pooled in the stadium the umpires ended the match at 20:55 (1555 GMT)
Afghanistan had totalled 273 all out in 50 overs after they winning the toss and batting.
Sediqullah Atal hit 85 and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai 67 as they sought a win to seal a semifinal berth.
In overcast conditions, Afghanistan lost opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for nought in the first over to Spencer Johnson.
Ibrahim Zadran, hero of Afghanistan’s win over England in the first match with the highest-ever Champions trophy score of 177, added 67 for the second wicket with Atal before he fell for 22 to spinner Adam Zampa.
Atal and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (20) put on 68 for the fourth wicket before Australia fought back with four wickets for just 40 runs.
Atal’s 95-ball innings included six fours and three sixes.
At 199-7 Afghanistan were in danger of being dismissed for a below-par total, but Omarzai held the innings together, smashing five sixes in a 63-ball knock and adding an invaluable 74 runs with the last three wickets.
Rashid Khan chipped in with a 17-ball 19 with two boundaries.
Ben Dwarshuis was the best Australian bowler with 3-47. Zampa took 2-48 and Johnson finished with 2-49.


Guardiola rules out mass Man City clearout

Guardiola rules out mass Man City clearout
Updated 28 February 2025
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Guardiola rules out mass Man City clearout

Guardiola rules out mass Man City clearout
  • Guardiola told his pre-match press conference on Friday that his experienced players would have an important role next season
  • "There are players here that are over 30 and they will be part of the future of this club"

LONDON: Pep Guardiola says his veteran Manchester City stars have a key role to play in the club’s rebuild as he tries to recapture former glories after a chastening season.
City have just the FA Cup still to play for in terms of silverware after the collapse of their Premier League title defense and their Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.
Guardiola’s team host second-tier Plymouth in the fifth round on Saturday.
The club have been criticized for not being quicker to renew an aging squad that has delivered six out of the past seven Premier League titles.


City made four signings in the January transfer window — Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis — illustrating the scale of the rebuild required following injuries and a loss of form for key players.
But Guardiola told his pre-match press conference on Friday that his experienced players would have an important role next season.
“There are players here that are over 30 and they will be part of the future of this club,” he said on Friday.
“Except Kevin — Kevin and the club will decide in the future — the others have contracts and next season I expect them to be here. They are going to help us.”
He added: “We cannot do it just with the new ones or the old ones. We have to be all together... It’s really, really important at the end of the season, the next season.
“I count with Gundo (Gundogan, 34), I count with Berni (Bernardo Silva, 30), I count with all the players that have a contract. They are there. I have no doubt about that.”
Guardiola, whose team are trying to reach the FA Cup final for a third straight season, is refusing to take Plymouth lightly.
The southcoast team, in the Championship relegation zone, shocked runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round.
“We played many times in the Carabao (League) Cup and the FA Cup against lower league teams and always they are tricky,” he said.
“What these teams do, they do really well. And if you are not ready you are in trouble. We have a chance to arrive in the last eight of the FA Cup again and we want to do it.”


‘Don’t care’: Hosts’ exit deflates Champions Trophy buzz in Pakistan

‘Don’t care’: Hosts’ exit deflates Champions Trophy buzz in Pakistan
Updated 28 February 2025
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‘Don’t care’: Hosts’ exit deflates Champions Trophy buzz in Pakistan

‘Don’t care’: Hosts’ exit deflates Champions Trophy buzz in Pakistan
  • The South Asian country has been gradually returning to hosting international teams after years of militancy marked it a no-go zone
  • Security in cities has vastly improved in recent years, including in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, where the matches are being held

KARACHI: Champions Trophy fever in Pakistan has plummeted after the hosts crashed out of the first major cricket event in the country in three decades without winning a game.
“It feels like attending a wedding where you don’t know the bride or groom,” said Kashan Khan, a medical student who watched Pakistan get beaten by New Zealand by 60 runs in the opening match in Karachi last week.
The defending champions then lost to great rivals India by six wickets to seal their fate, before their dead-rubber last group game against Bangladesh on Thursday was washed out.
“Pakistan’s poor performance has drained my enthusiasm. I don’t care about watching other teams now,” added Khan.
Pakistan’s failure to advance beyond the group phase or even win a game was a huge letdown in a country that has been gradually returning to hosting international teams after years of militancy saw it marked as a no-go zone.
Security in cities has vastly improved in recent years, including in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, where the matches are being held.
But disheartened fans have begun abandoning the tournament.
Outside Rawalpindi Stadium ticket-holders were seen trying to sell their unwanted seats ahead of Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh, but there were no takers.
“I had three tickets but no one wanted to buy them,” said Farooq Ali.
“I even tried giving them away for free, but my friends weren’t interested.”
For many, the final on March 9 holds little appeal, particularly given its location is still undecided.
Arch-rivals India, with which Pakistan has fought several wars, refused to visit its neighbor and are playing all their matches in Dubai.
In painful contrast to Pakistan’s woes, India are into the semifinals and if they reach the title decider, the final will be moved from Lahore to Dubai.
“If Pakistan isn’t playing in it, why should we care?” asked Amna Mashadi, who watched the tournament on television.
Pakistan’s latest flop dealt a severe blow not just to supporters, but also to the financial ecosystem surrounding the eight-nation event.
With Pakistan out, TV viewership has nose-dived, advertising revenues have shrunk and sponsors are demanding reductions in their campaign costs.
Pakistan’s stated-owned PTV and Ten Sports bought the joint broadcast shares of the 15 matches, each paying 1.2 billion rupees ($4.25 million).
Sources with knowledge of the broadcast deal told AFP that the two broadcasters have already lost close to 180 million rupees in two rained off matches in Rawalpindi.
Broadcasters are bracing for losses as they search for takers for the usually prime advertising spots in the semifinals and final.
“Sports advertising is always a gamble,” said a senior employee at a Pakistani company, one of the tournament’s top advertisers.
“Sponsorship deals cover the whole tournament, so pulling out isn’t an option.
“But when the national team exits early, consumers go away and the sale of the product suffers.”
Shopkeeper Mohammad Rizwan — he coincidentally has the same name as the Pakistan captain — had anticipated selling 60,000 cricket shirts of the home team.
Instead he only sold about a third of that.
“The demand for Pakistan shirts was overwhelming and in the week leading up to the event, I doubled my order,” Rizwan told AFP.
“But as soon as the team started losing, the demand plummeted. Now, I have huge unsold stock in my warehouse.
“It’s a massive loss.”
Renowned television and film actor Adnan Siddiqui fears that Pakistan’s underwhelming performance might push young fans away from the sport altogether.
“I grew up watching cricket late at night or early in the morning,” Siddiqui told AFP.
“But after these defeats, my son has lost interest completely. The real loss here is of the next generation of players and fans.”
Siddiqui flew to watch the India-Pakistan match in Dubai on Sunday and returned heartbroken.
“We used to beat India frequently but now they are well ahead of us in terms of skill and bravery. Our team looked scared.”
Despite the gloom some remain hopeful.
“This is a low point but the sun will rise again,” said Khalil Khan, a club-level cricket coach in Karachi.
“Cricket is the only sport that puts Pakistan on the global map and I’m sure our team will bring joy again in the future.”


Afghanistan wins toss and elects to bat against Australia in must-win Champions Trophy game

Afghanistan wins toss and elects to bat against Australia in must-win Champions Trophy game
Updated 28 February 2025
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Afghanistan wins toss and elects to bat against Australia in must-win Champions Trophy game

Afghanistan wins toss and elects to bat against Australia in must-win Champions Trophy game
  • Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the coin toss under overcast conditions and elected to bat in Afghanistan’s must-win last Group B game of the Champions Trophy against Australia
  • Afghanistan made a big turnaround in the tournament when it eliminated England from the tournament with a stunning eight-run victory at the same venue on Wednesday

LAHORE: Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the coin toss under overcast conditions and elected to bat in Afghanistan’s must-win last Group B game of the Champions Trophy against Australia on Friday.
Afghanistan made a big turnaround in the tournament when it eliminated England with a stunning eight-run victory at the same venue on Wednesday.
Afghanistan, which lost the first match to South Africa by 107 runs, went with the same playing XI for the third successive game and banked on three spinners — Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad and ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
Australia has three points from its record-breaking 352-run chase against England and a point from its washout game against South Africa at Rawalpindi.
Australia named an unchanged side.
New Zealand and India have already qualified for the semifinals from Group A with host Pakistan and Bangladesh eliminated.
Lineups:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson