OKLAHOMA CITY – Slap fighting is a combat sport subject to state regulation, according to an opinion released by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.

The opinion, released Thursday, was sought by Diana Fletcher, Oklahoma State Athletic Commission administrator.

The commission oversees rules and licenses for physical combat sports, such as wrestling and boxing.

Slap fighting, which is relatively new to the state, is a contest where participants trade undefended open-hand slaps to the face.

Contestants face each other and must keep both feet still while being slapped. 

The person being slapped must keep their head still and hands behind their back. Contestants can win by rendering their opponent unconscious, by winning points, or if a match cannot continue due to serious injury. 

Contestants are separated into weight classes.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond determined that slap fighting meets the requirements of Oklahoma’s “combative sports” definition.

“Though slap fighting differs from existing combat sports as defenders may not ‘defend’ against the slap, the definition of ‘combative sport’ contains no requirements about available methods to defend against blows,” he wrote.

Drummond wrote that other states have determined that their athletic commissions have regulatory authority over the sport.

The No. 10-ranked Oklahoma women’s basketball team will continue the 2024-25 season with a home game against Virginia at 8 p.m. Friday.

OU (1-0) tipped off its season with a 76-44 home win over Southern on Monday. Virginia (1-0) earned a 104-68 home win over American on Monday.

Here’s how to watch the OU vs Virginia game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

Watch Oklahoma vs Virginia live on Fubo

More: OU women’s basketball storms past Southern in NCAA opener as Raegan Beers scores 21

What channel is Oklahoma vs Virginia on today?

TV channel: SEC Network

Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

Oklahoma vs Virginia will be broadcast on ESPN’s SEC Network. Other streaming options for the game include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

More: OU women’s basketball roster: A look at the 2024-25 Oklahoma Sooners

What time does OU play today? Oklahoma vs Virginia time

• Date: Friday, Nov. 8
• Start time: 8 p.m. CT

The Oklahoma vs Virginia game starts at 8 p.m. from Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

More: OU women’s basketball vet Liz Scott learns from season on the bench

Oklahoma vs Virginia prediction

Oklahoma 76, Virginia 66: OU has a dominant frontcourt duo of Raegan Beers and Skylar Vann, which combined for 33 points and 21 rebounds against Southern. But Virginia has a ton of size, and 6-7 center Taylor Lauterbach is the defensive anchor down low. The Cavaliers will try to force the Sooners to shoot it from deep, where they struggle. But ultimately, OU will do enough to pass this non-conference test.

More: With a push from OU women’s basketball teammates, Raegan Beers fitting right in

Oklahoma women’s basketball schedule 2024

All times are Central Standard Time (CST)

• Monday, Nov. 4: Oklahoma 76, Southern 44
• Friday, Nov. 8: vs. Virginia at 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Wednesday, Nov. 13: vs. Western Carolina at 10:30 a.m. (SEC Network+)
• Tuesday, Nov. 19: at Wichita State at 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Friday, Nov. 22: at UNLV at 8:30 p.m. (TBD)
• Monday, Nov. 25: vs. DePaul at 4:30 p.m. in Las Vegas (FloHoops)
• Wednesday, Nov. 27: Duke or Kansas State at TBD in Las Vegas (FloHoops)
• Wednesday, Dec. 4: at Louisville at 4 p.m. (ESPN2)
• Sunday, Dec. 8: vs. Alabama State at 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Sunday, Dec. 15: vs. Oral Roberts at 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Tuesday, Dec. 17: vs. Michigan at 8:30 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina (ESPN2)
• Sunday, Dec. 22: vs. Omaha at 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Sunday, Dec. 29: vs. New Mexico State at 4 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Thursday, Jan. 2: vs. Texas at 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
• Sunday, Jan. 5: at Tennessee at 2 p.m. (ESPN)
• Thursday, Jan. 9: at Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Sunday, Jan. 12: vs. Texas A&M at 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Thursday, Jan. 16: vs. Missouri at 6 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Sunday, Jan. 19: at South Carolina at 2 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
• Sunday, Jan. 26: vs. Georgia at 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Thursday, Jan. 30: at LSU at 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
• Sunday, Feb. 2: vs Kentucky at 3 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Thursday, Feb. 6: at Ole Miss at 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Monday, Feb. 10: vs. Auburn at 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Sunday, Feb. 16: at Missouri at 1 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Thursday, Feb. 20: vs. Vanderbilt at 6 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Sunday, Feb. 23: at Arkansas at 2 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Thursday, Feb. 27: at Florida at 6 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Sunday, March 2: vs. Alabama at 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)

More: OU women’s basketball schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for 2024-25 season

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Oklahoma got great news on Thursday’s SEC Availability Report. 

Receivers Jalil Farooq and Deion Burks have both been upgraded from questionable to probable for this week’s battle with No. 24 Missouri.

Farooq has been out of the lineup since Week 1, where he virtually played just one drive, and Burks hasn’t seen the field since OU’s Week 4 loss to Tennessee. 

Running back Jovantae Barnes maintained his status as questionable for Saturday’s game with the Tigers.

Barnes rushed for 203 yards and three scores last Saturday against Maine, and would be a key piece of Oklahoma’s offensive game plan against the Tigers on Saturday night if he’s able to take the field. 

Should Barnes be unable to go, the Sooners will turn to true freshman Taylor Tatum, who has carried the ball 43 times for 239 yards and three scores this year, and Gavin Sawchuk, who was listed as questionable on Thursday’s report. 

Right tackle Michael Tarquin was also listed as questionable, and reserve center Joshua Bates was downgraded to doubtful, and OU tackles Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor have already been ruled out of the trip to Columbia, MO. 

Defensive end Ethan Downs was listed as probable on Wednesday’s report, but he was removed altogether indicating that he’ll be available to play Saturday. 

Missouri’s injury situation isn’t any more clear than on Wednesday.

Starting quarterback Brady Cook is still questionable as the Tigers monitor a wrist injury that saw Cook exit their last game against Alabama. 

Missouri leading rusher Nate Noel is also still questionable, which would be another major blow to Eli Drinkwitz’ offense.