Slap Fighting: The Ridiculous and Dangerous Sport That Needs to be Stopped
Opinion piece: Facial trauma, concussions and fractures. Why is this legal?
Neuro Athletes,
Have you heard of slap fighting? It's a “sport” where competitors strike each other in the face with an open hand. While it may seem like harmless fun, there are some serious injury concerns associated with this sport.
It's a real shocker that getting hit in the face repeatedly can lead to head injuries. Who would have thought?
But this latest viral video of slap fighting just takes the cake for showcasing how ridiculous and dangerous this "sport" truly is.
The worst part?
The competitor who won this particular fight ended up with significant damage. I’m talking, most likely, damage to the arteries of his face and most likely this brain.
Here’s a clip from Instagram yesterday, watch it so you understand the scope of what I am talking about:
If you zoom in, you will see drooping of his lower face. This raises concern that nerve damage may have occurred.
The facial nerve, which controls the muscles of the face and is important for movement and expression, is located in the area where competitors strike each other.
Damage to this nerve can result in drooping of the face.
Additionally, there is a high risk for brain trauma and facial fractures associated with slap fighting.
According to the Daily Mail, competitors in slap fighting have been left with disfigured faces due to nerve damage and facial fractures.
The high risk for brain trauma associated with this sport makes it clear that it should not be allowed to continue.
But what is UFC president Dana White saying?
Well for starters he and the league have been criticised for lack of safety measures for its fighters and improve safety for the fighters.
This highlights the serious concerns for the safety of slap fighting and the need for it to be banned. It's important to consider these risks before participating in this sport or supporting it.
It's not safe and It should not exist, IMO.
What are your thoughts on this? Let me know by clicking the ‘leave a comment’ button below!
Stay healthy,
Louisa x
Totally agree. Any sport that requires the competitor to take repeated unprotected blows to the head should be banned as unreasonably dangerous. I'm no fan of combat sports but at least there the fighters are allowed to try and protect themselves and the fight is stopped if they can no longer do so.
Absolutely agree.