When SlapFIGHT Championship launched its first event in 2017 in Branson, Missouri, no one could've predicted it would spark a global phenomenon. The sport that started as a niche, underground curiosity has officially gone mainstream - and SlapFIGHT 50 marks more than a milestone card; it's a defining moment for slap fighting as a legitimate combat sport and entertainment brand.
What I believe, though, is that I love fighting not in spite of my athletic limitations but because of them. Fighting is hard. The defining aspect of combat sports is discovering that you are worse at fighting than you had assumed and that getting better will be a grueling process that will chew you up, physically and mentally, unless you spend a life-altering amount of time on it. Therein lies the appeal.
The design is purposeful - clean, modern and unfussy - and every space has been created to deliver a specific training experience. The layout has been designed with precision. The Chamber is dedicated to combat sports, buzzing with energy during sparring sessions, while Room 101 is a serene space for yoga and Pilates. The trainers aren't just instructors ticking off sets; they're seasoned professionals, from combat athletes to strength coaches, who know how to draw the best out of you.
With the win, Volkanovski became the first fighter over age 35 to win a world title fight in a weight class under 170 pounds. And he did it with a performance that signaled a return to form for the fighter who dominated the 145-pound division from 2016 to 2023.
