Jake Hager (FKA Jack Swagger) has signed with UFC President Dana White\’s Power Slap league and will make his debut in the sport on April 17 in Las Vegas over WrestleMania 42 weekend.
The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion made the announcement during an appearance on TMZ\’s Inside The Ring.
\”I\’m so excited to announce that I\’ve signed with UFC Power Slap,\” Hager said. \”They are doing a show April 17th in Vegas live — that\’s the Friday [before] Mania. I\’ll be competing in that show in the heavyweight division.\
Hager revealed he signed a six-appearance contract with the promotion. \”Absolutely, long term,\” he said.
The Transition From MMA
The signing fills a competitive void left by Hager\’s exit from MMA. The former Bellator competitor — who went 3-0 (1 NC) in his pro career — admitted that his body can no longer handle the demands of cage training now that he\’s approaching 44.
\”If you\’re not training with your back against the wall, giving it everything you got, you\’re going to go into the octagon and get hurt,\” he said.
Power Slap, by contrast, requires a different but demanding kind of physical preparation. Hager acknowledged the sport carries real risks but expressed confidence in the UFC\’s infrastructure.
\”You know what you sign up for. I expect injuries to happen. I know UFC does a great job of covering all expenses related to the injuries,\” he said. \”I\’m not worried about it, to be honest.\
He also noted an unlikely physical advantage in his build.
\”There are certain exercises — a lot of shoulder techniques — and you definitely want your neck strengthened to absorb the blow,\” Hager said. \”Luckily, I don\’t have a neck, so it just goes shoulder to head. Hopefully that\’s an advantage for me.\
Hager will also be appearing at WrestleCon in Las Vegas that same weekend alongside fellow wrestling veterans. His Power Slap debut falls on the same night, making for a packed few days in Vegas for the former WWE and AEW star who departed All Elite Wrestling in 2024.
