A controversial new type of combat is making its debut in Scotland at the weekend but clinicians have warned of potential brain injury risks for those taking part.
There is no doubt about it, slap fighting is violent.
In boxing, MMA and Muay Thai there exists a defensive element, a competitive give-and-take – but not in slapping.
Here competitors exchange forceful bare-handed blows to the side of the head without defending themselves.
Flinching, dodging or deflecting blows is not allowed.
The winner is declared by knock-out, a points win or by a medic or referee ending the battle.
Slap fighting started as a viral sensation between Russian strongmen and grew into Eastern Europe and America where Dana White, president and CEO of the multi-billion-dollar UFC, established his league, Power Slap, in 2023.
Now an independent British league has sprung up and is staging its first Scottish fight night at Glasgow’s University Union on Saturday night, following four events in England.
Josh Skeete, the man behind BritSlap/SlapFight UK, said he was excited to bring slap fighting to Scotland for the first time.
Skeete told the BBC he got hooked after watching fights online in 2021.
“It intrigued me and I was really entertained,” he says.
“After doing research, I realised there was no-one doing it in the country so I set out to start the league.
“I saw the potential that the sport has.”
The headline fight in Glasgow will be 34-year-old Dan “One Shot” Mitchell against Louis “The Razor” Robinson, who is defending the British Heavyweight Championship he won at SlapFight 4 in Liverpool in October. (BBC)