Eddie Hall, a former World’s Strongest Man, left YouTuber Dean Dodd with a black eye and a burst eardrum after delivering two powerful slaps at a Slap Fighting Championship event in Dubai. Dodd, known for taking on fan challenges, accepted a dare to get slapped by Hall, resulting in serious injuries.
Slap fighting championship event details
Dodd met Hall at the Dubai event, where fans challenged him to take a slap from the 350-pound strongman. Hall, initially cautious, delivered a light slap that knocked Dodd down. Dodd stood up and requested a harder hit, saying:
“Give me 70 [percent]. Come on! A little bit harder.”
Hall’s second slap floored Dodd again. Dodd later said:
“Ahh, my ear’s gone. My eardrum has been burst.” On Instagram, he confirmed, “Black eye and a popped eardrum.” He added, “Think I’m quite lucky, if he hit me 100% I wouldn’t be able to post this.”
Eddie Hall, 37, is from Newcastle-under-Lyme, England, and won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2017. He turned pro in strongman in 2010 and set a world record by deadlifting 500kg in 2016. Hall retired from strongman in 2018 due to health concerns but moved to combat sports. He lost a boxing match to Hafþór Björnsson by unanimous decision in March 2022 in Dubai. He won his professional MMA debut against Mariusz Pudzianowski by TKO in 30 seconds at KSW 105 on April 26, 2025, in Poland, though the win was controversial due to illegal punches to the back of Pudzianowski’s head. He also fought an exhibition MMA bout against the Neffati Brothers in a 2v1 fight at World Freak Fight League 1 in June 2024.
Dean Dodd, 34, is a Welsh YouTuber known for taking on fan dares like eating spicy foods or attempting physical stunts. The slap challenge with Hall was part of his series of bold tasks, shared on YouTube and Instagram, where he has a large following.
Hall also competed in arm wrestling, losing to Brian Shaw at King of the Table 13 in 2024, and had a planned MMA fight in Qatar that was canceled.
