Power Slap has selected Abu Dhabi to stage its latest major competition on October 24 at Space 42 Arena, the promotion said in an announcement released on July 18. The event will coincide with Abu Dhabi Showdown Week and run alongside UFC 321, creating a packed schedule of combat sports action in the emirate. Officials expect the show to build on the momentum from the organization’s first international outing in the city the previous year, which drew a capacity audience.
According to the announcement, last year’s Power Slap 9 featured a sold-out crowd that watched former Super Heavyweight Champion Da Crazy Hawaiian defend his title against top-ranked challenger Vasilii “Dumpling” Kamotskii in a contest that ended in a dramatic draw. The performance captivated both local residents and visitors from abroad. That debut helped position the UAE capital as an emerging venue for the fast-growing slap fighting format.
Power Slap figures from the prior Abu Dhabi show placed total social media views for promotional and coverage content above 700 million. The event also attracted global influencers whose combined online audiences surpassed 1 billion followers. These numbers reflect the format’s expansion beyond its American origins into new territories.
Power Slap founder Dana White said in the announcement, “Power Slap has had 13 straight sold-out events, and is now heading back to Abu Dhabi, one of the premier fight capitals in the world.” He added that in just two years Power Slap has exploded with nearly 30 million followers and close to 20 billion video views across its platforms. White concluded that the Middle East is becoming a hotbed for Power Slap and expressed excitement about the return.
A description included with the announcement identified Power Slap as the world’s premier slap fighting promotion. It was founded by Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian in partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is regulated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission among other bodies. The format delivers all its events through free live streams on YouTube.
Interest in Power Slap 25 can be registered via the Abu Dhabi Showdown Week campaign platform, the announcement indicated. Organizers plan to release the full fight card and ticketing information in the coming weeks. The decision to return to the emirate comes after the strong reception received during the 2024 edition.
