2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championships: Complete Breakdown And Results
Just weeks before the 2022 Arnold Classic, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul surprised the world by announcing that the Slap Fight Championships would be held at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. A somewhat controversial and instantly viral sport, its placement at the festival provides a deeper sense of legitimacy for the fledgeling competition series. Now the championships have come to a close – continue reading for the official 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship results.
There were a total of five fights during this year’s 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship. One battle in the women’s division, three light heavyweight division fights, and the headliner super heavyweight division fight. The headliner featured 3x Slap Fighting champion Dawid “Zales” Zalewski vs Koa Viernez. Both competitors were undefeated going into the fight, though Zalewski held considerably more overall wins with 16 victories compared to Viernez’s 9.
Ultimately, Dawid Zalewski earned yet another victory via a TKO against Koa Viernez during the third round. The battle had some controversy in the earlier rounds as Viernez accused Zalewski of an illegal head tilt and was also unhappy that there were no judges from the United States present.
Slap Fight Championship Fight Breakdown & Results
Adrianna Śledź vs Julia Kruzer (Women’s Slap Fight)
The first match of the afternoon was Adrianna Śledź vs Julia Kruzer in the only women’s match of the night. Adrianna was the more experienced fighter as this was Julia’s first ever fight. And it showed – as she landed two separate fouls in the first two rounds. Adrianna, on the other hand, landed sharp and powerful hits on Julia with every round of the match.
After all was said and done, Adrianna Śledź won the battle by decision.
Maksymilian “Mad Max” Leśniak vs Nikolas “Predator” Toth (Light Heavyweight)
The second battle moved us into the Light Heavyweight division and showcased two very powerful competitors facing off. The battle between Maksymilian Leśniak and Nikolas Toth was a clean one. However it ended up being short and sweet.
Maksymilian Leśniak landed a TKO against Nikolas Toth. Though Toth was able to get back up and desired to continue fighting, the judges determined that he should be removed from the match as a TKO.
Mateusz “Kazek” Kaźmierczak vs Michał “Kucik” Kuciński (Light Heavyweight)
In the second Light Heavyweight match of the afternoon, Mateusz “Kazek” Kaźmierczak battled against Michał “Kucik” Kuciński. Both competitors had strong wills as neither would go down. Though there was one slight complication in the first round, as Kaźmierczak earned a foul for lifting his shoulder to brace a hit.
In the end, Mateusz Kaźmierczak won by decision after the three rounds.
Pater “Aligator” Truchlik vs Karol “Pikolo” Wyłupek (Light Heavyweight)
In the final Light Heavyweight battle of the afternoon, we had what was probably the closest fight of the championship. Both Pater “Aligator” Truchlik and Karol “Pikolo” Wyłupek took each slap without faltering. They even playfully taunted each other after each round. Most notably, Pater would pull out his comb and fix his beard after he received each slap.
Both competitors made it through all three rounds. Pater Truchlik won by decision.
Dawid “Zaleś” Zalewski vs Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes (Super Heavyweight)
The headliner event of the night was the only Super Heavyweight match. And true to the size of these competitors, this was the most intense battle of the night. The fight not only contained the most powerful slaps but also some controversy.
Koa Viernes brought up concerns during the first round. First that Dawid Zalewski was pulling his chin down too low (this is an illegal tactic to brace a slap in the sport). After the first round was completed, Viernes also took the mic to complain that none of the judges were from the United States – a thinly veiled accusation about the fairness of the fight.
Ultimately, none of this mattered. The headliner match was set to be five rounds (as opposed to the three rounds for each of the other fights). The competitors didn’t even have to go past three.
Dawid “Zaleś” Zalewski won by TKO against Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes. With Viernes falling directly headfirst into the table after the slap. He quickly regained consciousness but, for health concerns, had to be taken out of the match.
2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship History
The Arnold Sports Festival is most known in the bodybuilding world for its highlight event – the Arnold Classic pro bodybuilding competition. While this takes the center stage, the festival also holds over 60 other athletic events including MMA, powerlifting, the Arnold Strongman Classic, and more. So it may be a pleasant surprise for fans that slap fighting is now official part of that list.
The 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship not only was held at the Arnold Sports Festival, it was also presented on their official Fanmio PPV live stream. In addition to this, Logan Paul also streamed the championship event on his official YouTube channel.
Logan Paul’s involvement is not unexpected. His connection to slap fighting goes way back to 2019, when he claimed that he would be preparing to fight in the championship himself. Ultimately after a few videos of him training, and a controversial claim that his slap videos were staged, he cancelled his plans to compete.
Notable Slap Fighting Championship Athletes
Vasilii Kamotskii, better known as Dumpling, is one of the most viral athletes who, arguably, first brought the sport to international attention. He is consider the first true legend in the early life of the sport. Though he has participated in many fights, his most notable might be the PunchDown 4 fight against Dawid Zales. Dumpling won by judge decision – but many believed that the fight should have went to Zales in the end.
Dawid “Zales” Zalewski is the current 3x PunchDown champion – having won PunchDown 2, 3, and 5. Zales did not compete in PunchDown 4 – leaving the championship open for Neippokonany Kostrzes to win the title that year. As of the time of this writing, Dawid Zales has yet to lose any professional slap fight.
Though Dumpling was absent from the 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fight Championship, Dawid “Zales” Zalewski ultimately maintained his win streak as the headliner event of the afternoon.
Generation Iron Fitness Network is providing full coverage for the entire Arnold Classic. Make sure to follow the event and results by visiting our official 2022 Arnold Classic coverage hub right here.