​Although Jake Hager enjoyed a successful April debut, the one-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion and AEW veteran quickly learned how demanding slap fighting can be. Over the past ten years, slap fighting has evolved from a niche pastime into a competitive sport with a dedicated following. Its potential to generate viral social media moments and capture broad attention was strong enough to prompt UFC president Dana White to launch his own slap fighting venture, Power Slap, three years ago. Since then, White has aimed to grow the brand by placing Power Slap events on the same weekends as major UFC cards and by drafting recognizable mainstream talent. One of the most notable additions to Power Slap’s roster came in April, when Hager stepped into the ring for his first bout. The pro wrestler and mixed martial artist performed well, securing a third-round knockout over Devin Jenkins.
However, his return on Friday night did not go as smoothly. At Power Slap 21, the former WWE champion faced independent wrestling star Amanpreet Singh. The two heavyweight competitors traded heavy blows through the first two rounds, but in the third, Hager’s momentum stalled as Singh landed a decisive shot. In a viral moment captured above, the Indian athlete delivered a slap that immediately knocked Hager out, sending him backward to the ground in a dramatic, almost fencing-like fall. The blow, of course, ended the contest.
Hager now sits at 1-1 in this unconventional sport, and it remains to be seen whether he will resume his Power Slap career for a third bout after such a brutal knockout.