Jake Hager Suffers Bizarre Eye Injury In Power Slap Loss

Former WWE champion Jake Hager suffered a bizarre eye injury in his second consecutive Power Slap loss, bleeding from his tear ducts after absorbing a second-round strike that prompted a doctor stoppage.

Hager, who competed under the ring name Jack Swagger during his WWE run, absorbed the blow and remained conscious but immediately winced in visible pain before red fluid began leaking from his eyes, MMA Mania reports. "He hit me right in the eye," Hager told officials afterward.

Hager's Combat Sports Journey From Wrestling To Slapping

The 44-year-old Hager transitioned to Bellator MMA after leaving WWE, leveraging his collegiate wrestling background to compile a 3-0 record as a heavyweight before his cage career stalled. He raised eyebrows by signing a six-fight deal with Power Slap earlier this year.

Hager knocked out his opponent in his April debut but dropped back-to-back losses in recent months. His first defeat came via knockout two months ago, and he returned to the podium despite the quick turnaround.

The incident comes days after Demetrious Johnson explained why risking blindness made no sense for Tom Aspinall's potential UFC heavyweight title run. Hager now faces similar questions about the risk-reward calculation in a sport that pays competitors minimal purses while drawing criticism from the broader combat sports community.

No word yet on whether Hager will continue his Power Slap contract or seek medical clearance before his next appearance.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Video: Former WWE star Jack Swagger sheds tears of blood after second straight Power Slap loss