The Road to Power Slap 14: A Look at Damien Dibbell’s Journey
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Underrated. Underappreciated. Underage.
Damien “The Bell” Dibbell has heard it all. Once barred from competition due to his age, he is now the longest-reigning Heavyweight Champion in Power Slap history. On July 19, he returns to New Orleans’ XULA Convocation Center to defend his title at Power Slap 14.
As Dana White and company kick off Dustin Poirier’s retirement weekend in style, the celebrations begin with two title matches the night before the BMF belt is contested at UFC 318. This is shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend for combat sports, culminating in a historic heavyweight showdown between two powerful strikers.
The Champion
Set for his fourth title defense, Dibbell is the longest reigning champion in Power Slap history, and his path to the top has been anything but ordinary. Interestingly, he first appeared on Power Slap: Road to the Title not as a competitor, but as a coach. At the time, he was too young to compete. By the time the show aired in 2023, Dibbell had turned 21 and was preparing for his debut at the inaugural Power Slap 1.
Before stepping into the slap-fighting spotlight, Dibbell had been boxing in Florida when he discovered the sport. But his story begins even earlier. While studying at UCF with plans to become a lawyer, he worked various jobs, including one as a mover. The manual labor helped build his strength and endurance, essentially becoming part of his training.
Slap fighting started as a curiosity he and his wife stumbled across online. With her support and his competitive drive, Dibbell gave it a shot and quickly made waves. His rise was fast, but it wasn’t by accident. His discipline, natural power, and relentless work ethic helped him climb to the top of the Power Slap world.
Even as he chased gold, Dibbell never lost sight of his original dream of going to law school. Slap fighting became a way to help fund his education. As a young married man, he continued working, training, and studying. His body grew stronger and his technique sharper with each match, as the highlights began to stack up.
Now a champion, the plan may have shifted slightly, but the mission remains the same. As “The Bell” builds his legacy in Power Slap, he has also grown his presence outside of competition. From launching new merchandise to posting YouTube videos and signing with an agent, he continues to evolve.
Heading into his next match, fans can expect the same focused approach. But to truly understand Dibbell’s dominance, you have to rewind and trace his journey to the top.
The Journey
Before joining the promotion, Dibbell competed in SlapFight Championship, where his biggest bout came against a slap fighting legend, Frank “The Tank” Holland. At the time, Holland was regarded as the most experienced slap fighter in the sport. Dibbell secured a seventh-round knockout in their grueling 14-round scheduled match, a defining victory that put him on the map.
Following that win, Dibbell joined Season 1 of Power Slap: Road to the Title as the assistant coach to a future opponent, “Wolverine” Ron Bata. From his post at the UFC Apex, Dibbell had the opportunity to train with a host of Power Slap athletes and learn directly from the veteran himself.
When the season wrapped, Power Slap launched its first official event in March 2023. Both Wolverine and Dibbell appeared on the same card. Wolverine claimed the inaugural Heavyweight Championship by knocking out fellow coach Darius “The Destroyer” Mata-Varona in the first round. Earlier that night, Dibbell made his promotional debut with a brutal second-round knockout of Duane “The Iron Giant” Crespo. The performance was an eye-opener, marking Dibbell as a serious contender. The win earned him a title shot in his very next fight.
Rise to the Top of the Heavyweight Division
Just two months later, Dibbell and Wolverine met at Power Slap 2 with the heavyweight title on the line. It was a war from the start. The fight went all five rounds, with both men landing big strikes. But, it was Dibbell who pulled away down the stretch. The unanimous decision win crowned him the new champion and sent Wolverine down to light heavyweight, where he eventually made history as Power Slap’s first two-division champion.
Now holding the heavyweight crown, Dibbell made it clear who ruled the division. Before turning 23, he had already racked up three title defenses and cleaned out the top contenders. Knockout wins over Nate “The Buffalo Soldier” Burnard and Ryan “The King of Kings” Phillips only added to his growing highlight reel.
In his most recent defense, Dibbell faced his toughest challenge to date: current No. 1-ranked contender Dorian “Disturbing the Peace” Perez. The two went toe-to-toe in a razor-close five-round battle, both landing clean, punishing strikes. When the dust settled, the judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of the champion, cementing his place at the top once again.
A rematch may be looming, but first, a new challenger emerges. Wes “The Boom” Mena, the No. 3-ranked heavyweight in the division, has surged up the rankings and now headlines his first main event at Power Slap 14. “The Bell” will be watching closely.
The New Challenger
Wes Mena, 34, joined the promotion during Season 3 of Power Slap: Road to the Title. His debut was anything but typical. Mena only had one match that season, earning a win by disqualification after his opponent committed fouls. Though it was a strange start, it didn’t take long for Mena to return… And he came back with a vengeance.
Competing at Power Slap 9, 11, and 12, Mena has been on fire. His run to a 4-0 record in the promotion began with a second-round knockout of hyped prospect Jashell Ticha Awa, who was known for his massive size and the largest hand measurement in Power Slap. Mena followed that up with a first-round KO against Devin “Big Jinxx” Jenkins. The highlight-reel finish launched him up the rankings and earned attention from fans across the sport.
Riding that momentum, Mena stepped into a matchup with fellow unbeaten contender Aaron Turner. Turner, another large heavyweight, was coming off a highlight-reel KO of his own. Their fight was a close, gritty battle between two rising forces. Mena walked away with a majority decision win, showing grit, durability, and heart when it mattered most.
Built for the Big Stage
Mena is a self-made contender. At 6’1” and 235 pounds of muscle, he fits the mold of a Power Slap heavyweight. Outside the cage, he works as a bodyguard for high-profile athletes and is known for his imposing presence. According to his Power Slap bio, Mena can bench 435 pounds.
His interest in slap fighting started years ago. Mena recalls being slapped before high school wrestling matches, something that lit the spark for what would eventually become his calling. Now, he is on the cusp of a title shot, and everything he has done up to this point has prepared him for this moment.
Mena knows what to expect from the champion. He has already faced three opponents with frames similar to Dibbell. He has also proven that he can adapt when the going gets tough. His raw power, mental composure, and ability to rally during a fight are all signs of a future champion.
One element of his game that stands out is his wind-up. It is unorthodox. In his last fight, commentators pointed out that he pauses just before swinging, which could cost him some momentum and power. However, his willingness to commit on all counts plays into the mental warfare of the match. He also shows strong fundamentals, rarely fouling and staying composed under pressure.
Now, Mena prepares for the biggest test of his career. As Power Slap continues to grow, so does the stage. With more fans watching than ever before, the anticipation for this heavyweight clash has been building. Mena is ready to deliver.
The Match: Title Defense #4
As mentioned earlier, Mena has faced several opponents where he was at a size disadvantage. So heading into this matchup, it’s nothing new. However, despite his age and physical strength, he will be at a disadvantage in terms of experience and competition level. Dibbell enters with a perfect 5-0 record in Power Slap, in addition to a 2-1 record before joining the promotion. He has faced both legends and rising stars, proving himself against the best the sport has to offer.
As always, the coin toss will play a major role in how this match unfolds. But regardless of who goes first, both men have shown they can absorb heavy slaps and continue fighting. They recover quickly, maintain strong posture, and stay composed under pressure. It’s easy to expect that someone will hit the ground, yet both fighters have proven that staying upright is part of their toughness. While Mena has faced powerful opponents before, none have been on the level of Dibbell.
Still, all it takes is one clean shot. On July 19th, Mena gets that opportunity. Dibbell will look to defend his heavyweight title once again, something he’s done successfully in the past. With massive hands, long arms, and a powerful base, “The Bell” has refined his technique into a clean and repeatable process. He uses the natural whip of his arm to generate power and has shown tremendous improvement since his early days in the sport.
The Intangibles: Size, Rounds, and Fight IQ
Along with that technical edge, Dibbell also brings size. In their most recent appearances, Dibbell weighed in 20 pounds heavier than Mena. With both men having had plenty of time to prepare, we should see them in peak condition. But it would not be surprising if Dibbell still holds a size advantage on fight night.
Another factor that could impact the outcome is the number of scheduled rounds. This main event is a five-round match, which gives the champion another edge. Dibbell has been scheduled for five rounds in nearly all of his Power Slap bouts and has gone deep into championship rounds multiple times. Mena, on the other hand, has never been past three rounds. If the match goes long, could that become a problem?
The later this fight goes, the more it seems to favor “The Bell”. His consistent technique, reliable power, and proven durability give him a clear edge. Both fighters have been rocked in previous matches, and both are capable of doing serious damage. But we have yet to see Dibbell’s chin truly fail him. Mena’s knockout power is real, but so are the champion’s strengths.
With improvements expected from both sides, this main event promises fireworks. Dibbell is no stranger to the spotlight, while Mena steps into the biggest match of his career. Expect a competitive start, with each fighter landing big shots. But as the match wears on, look for Dibbell’s size, experience, and composure to present real challenges for Mena. If the champion weathers the early storm, he may be able to turn the tide and respond with power of his own.
Prediction
Prediction: Damien Dibbell wins by KO in Round 4
Expect an early firefight, but Dibbell’s experience, size, and technical precision should ultimately be the difference. Look for him to weather Mena’s early power, stay composed, and respond with calculated, statement-making shots.
He’s likely to land one late that ends the fight, extends his title reign, and pushes him one step closer to legendary status in the sport.
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