Oklahoma Slap-Fighting Deemed a Combative Sport, Subject to State Regulation AG Says
KOKH - November 13, 2024 6:11 am
Power Slap competition
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Attorney General (AG) Gentner Drummond issued an opinion on slap-fighting regulation in Oklahoma after the State Athletic Commission(OSAC) asked the AG to weigh in on whether the OSAC can regulate the new sport in Oklahoma.
Slap-fighting is a relatively new phenomenon where opponents trade undefended open-hand slaps to the face.
The Oklahoma State Athletic Commission oversees rules and licenses for physical combat events like wrestling and boxing in the state, with a top priority of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the participants.
In July, the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission sent a formal request to AG Drummond, asking him to weigh in on whether slap-fighting fell under the state’s definition of combative sports, which would then fall under the commission’s jurisdiction.
In a formal opinion, AG Drummond wrote that slap-fighting does meet the requirements of the definition of combative sports, saying,
Slap fighting is ‘unarmed combat’ because contestants use only their hands to strike their opponent… Though slap fighting differs from existing combat sports as defenders may not ‘defend’ against the slap, the definition of ‘combative sport’ contains no requirements about available methods to defend against blows,
The opinion also mentions that other states like Nevada regulate slap-fighting through their state athletic commission.
To read AG Drummond’s full opinion, click here.
