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Ultra-violent sports are on the rise, and experts warn: ‘We’ll pay for it as a society for another 70 years’

Nypost · · 896 words · By Gavin Newsham
Desensitization to Violence Combat Sports Regulation Public Health Risks
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What to know about Desensitization to Violence

On Friday night at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Dayne “Da Hawaiian Hitman” Viernes will just have to stand there — not moving, chin up, hands behind his back — as Makini “Big Mak” Manu, a fearsome 390-pound behemoth, strikes him in the head as hard as he…

Claims checked 15
Techniques found 4
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center83%
Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

On Friday night at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Dayne “Da Hawaiian Hitman” Viernes will just have to stand there — not moving, chin up, hands behind his back — as Makini “Big Mak” Manu, a fearsome 390-pound behemoth, strikes him in the head as hard as he…

Why it matters

Viernes, a 33-year-old, 6-foot-2 powerhouse, will have 60 seconds to recover — presuming he doesn’t lose consciousness — and return the favor to Manu, 32.

Common ground

The two men will continue alternating giving and receiving brutal blows until one of them passes out or is declared the winner of Power Slap.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Appeal to Fear: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/17/sports/power-slap-and-other-ultra-violent-sports-a…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 4 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 95% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Name Calling / Labeling 70% confidence
Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Appeal to Fear 85% confidence
Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to fear helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 15 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 5
info Single Source 4
check_circle Corroborated 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
schedule
Claim 1: “Lethwei, a Burmese style of bare-knuckle boxing that allows headbutts”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 2: “A 2025 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) analyzed 78 slap fights and found that nearly 79% of competitors exhibited signs of concussion after being slapped”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources (Wikipedia and a Pitt Study report) confirm that nearly 80% of fighters demonstrated signs of concussion. Note: The claim mentions a '2025 JAMA study', while the evidence refers to a 'Pitt Study'; however, the statistical finding (nearly 80%) is corroborated across sources.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nearly 80% of the fighters demonstrated a visible sign of concussion at least once in the series of matches.[32].
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slapping_(strike)
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Slap fighting is a combat sport involving hits to the head. As the first academic study to provide a quantifiable assessment of possible dangers.Nearly 80% of the fighters demonstrated a visible sign …
https://www.health.pitt.edu/news/pitt-study-first-record-sig…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Concussions can be tricky to diagnose. Though you may have a visible cut or bruise on your head, you can't see a concussion.Concussions in Babies. The signs of a concussion in a baby or toddler may be…
https://www.webmd.com/brain/concussion-traumatic-brain-injur…
schedule
Claim 3: “Launched in Australia in 2025, it [Run It Championship (RNC)] sees two hulking men, without protective padding, stand at either end of an indoor 60-foot runway.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 4: “In 2021, Polish slap fighter Artur Walczak was knocked out in a PunchDown event — a competition similar to Power Slap — in Warsaw, Poland. He suffered severe bleeding on the brain, and spent a month in hospital in a medically induced coma before passing away.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for Artur Walczak or the specific PunchDown event described.
info
Claim 5: “The inaugural event in Vegas in 2023 saw contestants suffer a range of injuries, from bloodied lips and black eyes to memory loss and unconsciousness.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided search results are irrelevant (concerts and vaccine trials) and do not contain information about injuries at the inaugural Power Slap event.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The site owner hides the web page description.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1354750X.2023.2…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Imagine.Dragons.Live.In.Vegas.2023. 8,1 тыс просмотров. Pamela.a.love.story.2023.
https://vk.com/video-210945081_456240828
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The trial design misleadingly stated: “One half of the participants will receive the active vaccine, while the other half will get the placebo vaccine (meaning a vaccine without active substance).” Th…
https://www.naturalnews.com/2024-07-08-merck-misled-particip…
verified
Claim 6: “The brainchild of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) impresario Dana White, Power Slap was first launched in 2023”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia confirms Power Slap is owned by Dana White, CEO of the UFC. While the provided search results for 'Power' were noisy, the Wikipedia entry for Power Slap (referenced in claim 0 evidence) establishes the ownership.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Power tells the story of James St. Patrick, an intelligent, smooth yet ruthless drug dealer who goes by the alias of "Ghost." He wishes to leave the criminal world to pursue legitimate business intere…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_(TV_series)
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A key element of LADWP’s renewable energy program is the development of local solar, particularly customer based programs that tap into the city’s abundant sunshine and provide residents and businesse…
https://www.ladwp.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Find out how and where to watch "Power" online on Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ today – including 4K and free options.
https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/power
schedule
Claim 7: “Last year, there were no fewer than 65 events for the bloody sport [bare-knuckle boxing]”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 8: “Viernes, a 33-year-old, 6-foot-2 powerhouse, will have 60 seconds to recover”
SINGLE SOURCE
One source confirms Dayne Viernes stands 6'2", but there is no evidence provided regarding his age (33 years old).
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — “Da Hawaiian Hitman”. Dayne Viernes.When and why did you start training to be a Slap Fighter? I got into slap fighting because my older brother is Da Crazy Hawaiian – super heavyweight champion of USA…
https://www.powerslap.com/striker/dayne-viernes/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dayne "Da Hawaiin Hitman" Viernes (0-0-0) is a Fighter out of Hawaii, USA. View complete Tapology profile, bio, rankings, photos, news and record.
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/426988-dayne-v…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — According to Dayne Viernes' official Power Slap profile, he stands ar 6'2" and weighs 365 pounds. We know that weight is often much more though, since Super Heavyweights have no limit. He strikes with…
https://fansidedmma.com/posts/dayne-hawaiian-hitman-viernes-…
help
Claim 9: “In 2018, Wyoming became the first state in the US to legalize bare-knuckle boxing.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for Wyoming's legalization of bare-knuckle boxing in 2018.
check_circle
Claim 10: “The winner is declared by knockout, technical knockout or a judge’s decision based on the power, accuracy and force of blows.”
CORROBORATED
Both Wikipedia and another source confirm winners are decided by knockout or judges' scores based on accuracy and durability/force.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Power Slap, which has been licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, uses rules similar to those established by other slap fighting leagues. After a coin toss to decide who goes first, the fir…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Slap
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The winner is decided by knockout or judges’ score based on accuracy, control, and durability. Jujhar Singh’s Journey from Mud Wrestling to Power Slap.
https://thedailyguardian.com/news/sports/who-is-jujhar-singh…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Welcome to the official Power Slap channel on YouTube - stay locked in with the world’s premier slap fight organization. Tune in to $VET Power Slap 20: TRUJILLO vs JOHNSON on Friday, May 15 Presented …
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5jqLi06mE3M3L_lAdj-eQ
schedule
Claim 11: “Power Slap was officially approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in October 2022”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 12: “Nowinski, who played defensive tackle collegiately for Harvard”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 13: “On Friday night at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Dayne “Da Hawaiian Hitman” Viernes will just have to stand there... as Makini “Big Mak” Manu, a fearsome 390-pound behemoth, strikes him in the head”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm the event: Tapology lists 'Power Slap 19: Viernes vs. Manu' in Las Vegas, and the official Power Slap profile for Makini Manu confirms his weight as 390 lbs.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Power Slap is an American slap fighting promotion company owned by Dana White, the chief executive officer of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Slap
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Power Slap 19 took place Friday, April 17, 2026 with 11 fights in Las Vegas, Nevada. View fight card, video, results, predictions, and news.
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/142022-power-sla…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 390 lbs. Division.I started training after doing the recording of the show in Vegas. I started training because I knew that this is a legit platform to make a better life for my family and helps accom…
https://www.powerslap.com/striker/makini-manu/
info
Claim 14: “Power Slap draws one billion views per month across social platforms and has nearly four million subscribers on YouTube and almost fourteen million followers across Instagram and TikTok.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results provided for this claim were irrelevant, discussing a TV series and the Department of Water and Power, with no data on social media metrics for Power Slap.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Power tells the story of James St. Patrick, an intelligent, smooth yet ruthless drug dealer who goes by the alias of "Ghost." He wishes to leave the criminal world to pursue legitimate business intere…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_(TV_series)
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A key element of LADWP’s renewable energy program is the development of local solar, particularly customer based programs that tap into the city’s abundant sunshine and provide residents and businesse…
https://www.ladwp.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Find out how and where to watch "Power" online on Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ today – including 4K and free options.
https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/power
info
Claim 15: “Manu, 32”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for 'Makini' returned unrelated results (software, a fictional character, and a doctor), providing no information on the age of the fighter Makini Manu.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Makini is the common denominator for software systems companies use for ERP, maintenance (CMMS/EAM) and warehousing (WMS). This means you don’t have to deal with multiple data structures, authorizatio…
https://www.makini.io/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Makini suggests that she and Kiara start digging for water, and the two start to move away from the other animals. But while searching, Makini is unable to keep quiet. Janja's Clan pounced on her, str…
https://lionguard.fandom.com/wiki/Makini
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dr. Makini, along with myself and the staff here at Eyes Plus, are a group of warm and wonderful individuals who collectively look to do everything possible to take great care of the visual needs of y…
https://www.eyesplusinc.com/meet-the-team.html
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.