Sheena Bathory — real name Franciska Szabo — continues her Power Slap rise, earning another impressive victory at Power Slap 17 in Saudi Arabia. Coming off a previous win earlier this year in Riyadh, the Hungarian powerhouse once again showed why she’s one of the most dangerous strikers in the division.
Confident return to Riyadh
“I already came back with really good memories because I won my last fight here in January,” Bathory said. “So it was definitely positive to come back. And yeah, now I just repeated my winning.”
From the moment she stepped onto the stage, Bathory looked confident and composed. Despite battling through an earlier injury, she said the weight cut went better than expected.
“Honestly, the cut was good, but it could have gone better,” she explained. “I broke my foot about eight months ago and gained some unnecessary fat. But I had a really good nutritionist guiding me since August, and everything went as we wanted. Cutting weight is never easy, but this one went well — and the next will be even better.”
Staying ready for a busy 2025
Bathory said she plans to stay closer to her fight weight moving forward. “I didn’t get that food shock after weigh-in, which was new,” she said. “So I don’t think I’ll gain much back. I want to stay around 145 lbs because I’ll be competing a lot next year — in Muay Thai, MMA, and Power Slap.”
A calm and confident mindset
Asked to rate her performance, Bathory said this win felt like another step forward in her evolution as a fighter.
“It was my obligation to win — just a stepping stone on my journey,” she said. “Maybe because it was my fifth event, I wasn’t nervous anymore. In the beginning I felt a lot of pressure, but now I’m calm and confident. I knew my preparation was good and I trusted my energy.”
Bathory even referenced her previous knockout loss to Jackie, saying she felt a completely different energy this time. “When I got knocked out, I actually had a vivid dream about it before the fight. This time, everything was clear and smooth.”
Giving credit to a tough opponent
Bathory was full of respect for her opponent, Robyn Wereshchuk, who managed to push her through multiple rounds.
“I didn’t underestimate Robyn,” she said. “I knew I had more power, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. What really surprised me was how strong she came back after every slap. Usually when someone gets knocked down, they get weaker — but she came back even stronger. She’s a monster!”
Looking toward a title fight
After the win, Bathory mentioned a potential matchup with Abby Montez, a fighter she both respects and admires.
“I love Abby — we still chat sometimes,” she said. “She’s strong and tough, and I think she and I deserve to fight for the title. Give her one more match for more routine, and then let’s make it happen. The female division has earned a title fight.”
Taking time to recover
Bathory said she prefers to take longer breaks between Power Slap events to protect her long-term health.
“I usually take about six months between events,” she said. “I want to take care of my brain and recover fully. I train MMA too, but I don’t want to take heavy shots every month. I’m thinking long term — I want to stay in this industry for a long time.”
Supporting her brother after his debut
Bathory’s younger brother Frigyes Szabo also competed earlier in the night but suffered a loss.
“The men’s division is a different level,” she said. “I was hoping my brother would win the coin toss because that really matters for a debut. He’s got huge power like me, but he didn’t get to show it. His opponent was very tough and landed a perfect clean shot.”
Despite the setback, Bathory said her brother remained positive. “He said he loved the feeling, that Power Slap felt like something special — like we were gladiators walking in. Even though he lost, he was grateful for the opportunity.”
Focused on the future
As Bathory heads home, she’s already thinking about what’s next — balancing Power Slap, MMA, and Muay Thai, all while chasing gold. “I’m passionate,” she said. “I’ll take my time, recover, and come back stronger. Power Slap is waiting for me.”