The sporting event takes place on 31 October.

Riyadh Season is filled with exciting events. Whether you’re after family fun or food experiences, there’s something for everyone. So much so, the festival has announced the return of UFC’s Power Slap, which will take place on Friday, 31 October, at Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh.

If you’ve never heard of Power Slap, the clue is in the name. The event sees two contestants battle it out through the form of a slap – a powerful one, no less. Participants must be aged 18 years or above, and the match cannot exceed 10 rounds. Safety protection includes mouth guards and inner ear protectors.

Power Slap tournaments begin with a coin toss, which determines who strikes first. The slap must be flat, open-handed and strike the side of the hand. The striker must have both feet on the ground, and a minor lift is deemed a foul. If the defender is knocked down, the referee will count to 10. During this period, they must rise to their feet within the count. Otherwise, it is a knockout. 

Headlining Power Slap 17 is a welterweight title clash between undefeated champion Anthony “Babyface” Blackburn (6-0, 3 KOs) and No. 4 contender Cole “Full Send” Young (3-2, 2 KOs). Blackburn has held the belt since Power Slap 8, with two successful defences. Calm under pressure, he mixes precision with power, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most respected champions. Young arrives with serious momentum, fresh off a first-round knockout of Rod Alavi at Power Slap 11, and is chasing another statement finish to claim the crown.

In the co-main event, No. 1 heavyweight Dorian “Disturbing The Peace” Perez (4-3, 2 KOs) looks to protect his top spot against No. 6 Zakir Naimanayev (2-1, 2 KOs). Perez, a proven competitor with an iron chin, is known for his heavy hands and durability. Naimanayev burst onto the scene with a highlight-reel debut at Power Slap 11, followed by a first-round KO at Power Slap 14, and now aims to extend his knockout streak against elite opposition.

HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said: “Riyadh Season has built a reputation for hosting a diverse range of events that have an appeal to a global audience. The attention the first Power Slap event in the Kingdom attracted was huge in January, and we look forward to welcoming even more of the world’s best players when they come to compete in Riyadh this October.”

Riyadh Season 2025 begins this October. This year’s edition will feature the best in arts, culture, entertainment, and sports. Expect boxing and tennis matches, celebrity chefs, and world-class concerts. Full information will be announced in the coming weeks.

Check in with FACT for the latest things to do in Riyadh.

GO: Visit https://riyadhseason.com for more information.