World champion bodybuilder, Hollywood action hero, successful businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, best-selling author and 38th Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger took part in a virtual press conference on Tuesday to discuss the Arnold Sports Festival. The event takes place Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6 from the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Advertisement

The virtual press conference also featured famed YouTuber and social media personality Logan Paul and Fanmio CEO Solomon Engel previewing the Slap Fighting Championship, which debuts Saturday, March 5 at the Arnold Sports Festival as an epic display of slap fighting superstars going to fight live and for free on Fanmio, Logan Paul’s YouTube Channel and Logan Paul’s Facebook Live.

Pro strongman Martins Licis, professional bodybuilder Brandon Curry and undefeated Slap Fighting super heavyweight Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes also took part in the call, as they discussed their upcoming competitions at the Arnold Sports Festival. .

Arnold Sports Festival 2022

While Fanmio will present select events as raw video for fan enjoyment, the Arnold Strongman events and several other historic and high-profile festival events will be fully produced pay-per-view segments with rare commentary and looks in the behind the scenes, including Friday IFBB Pro League Fitness, Figure & Classic Physique Prejudging (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the main Expo stage) and the Arnold Friday Night Finals (6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. in the Battelle Grand); Saturday IFBB Pro League Bikini, Wellness & Men’s Physique Prejudging (10:00am-12:00pm on the Main Expo Stage) and the Arnold Saturday Night Finals (7:00pm-10:00pm in the Battelle Grand).

There are several ways to watch Slap Fighting Championship on Saturday, March 5, 2022 (2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT) on Fanmio by clicking HERE on Logan Paul’s YouTube channel by clicking HERE or Logan Paul’s Facebook Live page by clicking HERE. Slap Fighting Championship, sponsored by BetOnline and Lootie, will feature a main event featuring two of the world’s toughest super heavyweights, three-time undefeated PunchDown champion Dawid “Zales” Zalewski (16-0) and well-known internet sensation . and the first American fighter to win a Super Heavyweight Championship, Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes (9-0) of Oahu, Hawaii, for the World Slap Fighting Championship Super Heavyweight Championship.

Schwarzenegger launched the now famous Arnold Classic with businessman Jim Lorimer in 1989 to showcase his beloved sport of bodybuilding. It was later renamed The Arnold Sports Festival as more competitions and exhibitions were added as the event grew into a full weekend, featuring one of the premier bodybuilding events in the world, as well as the best in strongman, fitness and combat. sports.

Advertisement

Check out what press conference attendees had to say on Tuesday below. The video is available at the top.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

“We started this event in Columbus, Ohio in 1976, but back then it was called Mr. Olympia, and we’ve had world championship competitions ever since. The sport really took off in the 70s and 80s so much so that we had so many sports outside of bodybuilding reaching out to us asking to be part of our event. This is how it became the Arnold Sports Festival.

“This year we will have around 18,000 athletes participating from over 60 nations, with over 100,000 participating throughout the weekend. It’s a great event and I want to thank everyone who made this possible at new.

“We don’t do anything on our own. There is no self-made man. We had huge success with The Arnold Classic. It’s the biggest festival of its kind in the world and it’s not just because of me. There are thousands of people working throughout the year putting this together. Everyone brings something to the table.

“What makes us unique is that we are an event that does not promote any particular sport. We say no matter what you do, if it’s good for your body, we want to use all the different sports to inspire everyone to train and exercise every day.

“We have all kinds of crazy sports during this event, because we don’t judge anything. We like to bring all these sports together to celebrate fitness.

“We are here all these years later, still in Columbus, Ohio, and we continue to grow and grow. We are truly announcing that we are back now with this great show happening this weekend.

“I realized when I came to America that the reason bodybuilding was unknown or why there were misconceptions about it was because no one really communicated well to the masses and the press. I felt very strongly that I had to take charge of this and really explain the sport of bodybuilding.

“It was important for me to inspire others. I had inspirations that led me to sports, so I wanted to make sure I did that too. The idea was to not only create millions of followers, but to create millions of champions.

“We always have sports asking us to join the festival and we are watching the reactions of fans to them. Most of the time the fans stick around, as these are entertaining events. I found the slap fights very interesting, especially considering how guys can face off at such a short distance. It seemed strange to me, but also very interesting. I’m really looking forward to watching it live this weekend and having a great time.

“It was great to hear that Logan was inspired by the Arnold Classic when he was a kid. Because I was inspired watching Logan get in the ring and fight. We were inspired by one of each other, so it’s natural for us to work together. I’m very interested to see how this works with the slap fights and hopefully we can go around the world. We don’t know where this will take us , but I’m really looking forward to this event.

“I’m really excited for this coming weekend. I can’t wait to get to Ohio and see all of these amazing men and women compete. There’s going to be so much action. No matter where you look, there will be action at every level. Let’s celebrate fitness, form and all those things together.

Logan Paul

“It’s honestly a dream come true for me. Arnold explained that the backbone of this event is to motivate others. Well, you’re talking to someone who was inspired by Arnold at The Arnold Classic there I was 13. My dad took me there and I found myself less than a meter away from Arnold. I was inspired by strong men and strong women pushing their bodies. It inspired me to take that fitness journey.

“I was able to use that athletic background in my adult life and pivot it into boxing. It just goes to show that you never know what kind of future you’ll be able to create through events like these.

“To be able to legitimize a sport like slap fighting, which I think is on the rise, is awesome. We have incredible athletes from all over the world looking to put on a show.

“I absolutely think people from other combat sports could join the slap fight. Everyone knows how to slap. It’s an easy way for MMA fighters, influencers, celebrities, and basically anyone with an online beef to go and settle those disputes without months of practice. It might be crazy, but I really think there’s something here.

Solomon Engel, Founder and CEO of Fanmio

“It is an honor to work with the only Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul, both supporting the Arnold Sports Festival and the Slap Fighting Championship.

“This is the first time the Arnold Sports Festival has been on PPV and we are very excited to bring this event to a wider audience around the world. We have a significant reach and believe that whatever happens at the festival offers people from all over the world the opportunity to get a taste of what this wonderful spectacle is all about.

“We are doing everything we can to raise awareness and present everything in the best possible package throughout the weekend.

“Working with everyone to present Slap Fighting Championship is amazing. It’s a sport that has been validated. We’re very excited about this live stream so we can really show the world what this sport is all about.

“Be sure to tune in to the Arnold Sports Festival on PPV. It has all the coverage you can imagine. Plus, on March 5, you can stream the Slap Fighting Championship live on Fanmio and Logan’s Facebook and YouTube.

Martins Licis, professional strongman

“This festival is several days away and I am in full battle mode. I’ve won world championships and finished first in a few Arnolds competitions, but never in the finals. It’s my favorite competition and I can’t wait.

“I’ve looked up to Arnold since I was a kid when I read his bodybuilding encyclopedia. To be at this competition again is full steam ahead. It’s very special to me and to be a part of it is just phenomenal. .

Brandon Curry, Professional Bodybuilder

“It’s been a few years and it’s a pleasure to be back with the Arnold Sports Festival in full swing. I didn’t know if I was going to compete again, but fate wanted me to be there. I’m ready to go on stage again.

“It’s going to be really exciting to see my results in this contest. I hope this will give me a boost to get the Mr. Olympia title. I can’t wait to have that onstage interview with Arnold and walk away with that trophy.

“I have three Arnold trophies, but the Arnold Classic one is Arnold posing and that’s the one I’m looking to win. I’m looking to continue building my legacy and I can’t wait to see all the fans come out. It’s a great opportunity for me and I appreciate being able to come back and play.

Super heavyweight Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes undefeated in slap fight

“I’m happy and I’m going to put on a show. I face a formidable opponent in Zalewski. I have to be weighted about this. I have to make sure people know it’s a serious sport. It may be considered a spectacle, but ultimately there is a winner and a loser.

“I’m an island boy who comes from nothing. I went to food banks just to feed myself. I’m not supposed to be here. I could cry now. It’s humiliating to be on this call.

“Don’t blink. Someone is going to bed on Saturday. It will be a fun ride.

Advertisement