Allen’s SB7 builds on an administrative prohibition already enforced by the Alabama Athletic Commission, which has ruled that slap fighting is illegal to promote, participate in or attend in Alabama.
Even though the commission currently enforces that ban through its rules, SB7 would codify the prohibition in statute, placing it squarely in state law.
The legislation treats slap fighting as a form of prohibited, unarmed combat and reinforces Alabama’s position that it falls outside the scope of permissible combat sports.
By doing so, the bill removes ambiguity about whether slap fighting could be licensed or sanctioned by future regulatory changes.
Currently, the Athletic Commission serves as the state’s sole regulator of unarmed combat and enforces its ban through administrative action and civil penalties.
SB7 expands that framework by placing enforcement authority directly in statute and strengthens the tools available to stop illegal events.
The bill authorizes the Alabama Attorney General to bring civil actions seeking relief, including temporary or permanent injunctions, against individuals or organizations believed to be violating the ban.
It also ties violations to existing criminal penalties associated with unlawful or unlicensed unarmed combat, elevating enforcement beyond commission rules alone.
Even medical research has raised concerns about slap fighting safety. A study published in JAMA Surgery analyzing slap fighting matches found signs of concussion occurring after nearly one-third of individual slaps and in more than half of slap sequences reviewed.
The study reported that most participants exhibited at least one indicator associated with traumatic brain injury during competition.
Unlike traditional combat sports, slap fighting doesn’t allow defensive movement, leaving participants unable to protect themselves from repeated head strikes and increases the risk of serious brain injuries.
While some states have moved toward regulating slap fighting, Alabama has taken a different approach. The Athletic Commission has consistently treated the activity as unsafe and outside the scope of regulated unarmed combat.
SB7 would lock that position into law, preventing future reversals without legislative action.
The bill has been filed and will move through the Senate committee process during the 2026 session.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
