Power Slap’s first female star has racked up millions of social media views.
Sheena Bathory – real name Franciska Szabó – went viral and outperformed pop sensation Taylor Swift when she fought for Dana White’s slap fighting league in November 2023.
Power slap, like the UFC, is the leading organisation in its sport, which is licensed and sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The former wrestler and bodybuilder landed a monstrous shot that knocked out her opponent, Christine Wolmarans, who hit her head while falling.
However, it was how she reacted to being slapped that made her a viral star.
Wolmarans landed a big hit on Bathory, and her eyes seemed to roll into the back of her head before she regained her senses and blew a cocky kiss at her rival.
Footage of the now-iconic moment earned 1.7 million likes, including one from Conor McGregor, during the first month it was available on Instagram.
Power Slap employee AJ Curry shared the overall viewership figures and compared them to those of the world’s biggest pop star.
She wrote: “136M! In case you’re wondering, this reel from Power Slap has more views than any reel Taylor Swift has ever posted.”
The UFC CEO then shared that information with his followers.
In February, Bathory, who is often compared to MMA legend Ronda Rousey due to her blonde hair and judo background, went viral again when she got KO’d and still won.
The Hungarian’s opponent was adjudged to have hit her with a palm strike, which is considered clubbing and is an illegal move that saw her big win become a disqualification defeat.
It’s currently unclear when Bathory will fight next, but the woman who helped her become famous will face ex-UFC star Paige VanZant during international fight week in Las Vegas on 28 June.
She took the bout on short notice, with ’12 Gauge’ announcing she will debut in another new sport against Wolmarans to the surprise of many.
“I got called if I would do Power Slap, I said, ‘Absolutely,’ and that was it,” VanZant told reporters at the UFC 303 media day.
Having won the coin toss, VanZant could begin her new career in style. Her experience as a professional mixed martial artist could benefit her on her debut.
She continued: “Signed the contract and here I am to do Power Slap. I think it’s exciting for me because it’s like, listen, I am a gangster. Whether people want to admit it or not, I am here to slap somebody, it doesn’t matter what organization, what combat sport, I’m here to take over and have some fun.”
A knockout either way in that fight could outdo Bathory’s kiss to become the most-viewed clip in Power Slap’s short history.
White will be sure to let us know about the numbers sometime soon.