Power Slap 14 Results: Champions Dominate in New Orleans

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Power Slap 14 added to an already landmark weekend for combat sports, coming just before UFC 318 in New Orleans. The promotion led by Dana White followed Dustin Poirier’s retirement tour to “The Big Easy” and it did not disappoint.

With a 75% finish rate on the televised portion of the card, the slap-fighting promotion delivered a highlight reel lineup of matches. From heavyweight KOs to tight decisions at middleweight, this card brought action from the start. Let’s break it down:

Heavyweight Champion Stays On Top

Damien Dibbell is the Power Slap Heavyweight Champion four times running. Entering this match, he was the youngest champion, longest reigning champion, and had the most title defenses for an active champion. After another successful defense against a dangerous prospect, the UCF graduate who is now aspiring to be a lawyer showcased his resolve, toughness, and strength in this match.

From the moment “The Bell” walked out of the locker room, you could see that he was focused on the task at hand. He faced a viable opponent who was surging with the momentum of a four-match win streak. But, the outcome for Wes “The Boom” Mena was just like many that came before him at the hands of “The Bell”.

Carrying a significant size advantage, the reigning champion hoped to impose his will. After his opening slap, he was not happy. He had missed the target, and Mena was standing strong. When Mena came back to strike, he brought his patented power. “The Boom” landed clean and seemingly hurt Dibbell. Dibbell blinked it out, took his time, and slowly got back to the slap podium.

When it was his turn to strike, he did not miss again. His strike landed perfectly, and Mena hit the ground hard. “The Boom” tried to get up, but the power of “The Bell” was too much. Dibbell showed clear emotion after the win, celebrating his fourth title defense. He proclaimed that he “is him” and asked for a rematch with Dorian Perez for Power Slap 16 in Abu Dhabi.

The Lightweight Title Stays Home

Robert “The Real Deal” Trujillo has already faced off against this adversary before. But, that did not stop him from accepting this co-main event spot. In their previous matchup, Trujillo faced off with Dakota “The Maritime Menace” McGregor for the inaugural lightweight title. After a unanimous decision win, Trujillo returned to the spotlight to defend his throne and delivered in a big way.

Despite having respect for each other, both men came into this match with something to prove. In the spotlight, neither shied away from the moment. As they squared off for the second time, Trujillo, the smaller of the two, was able to strike first. While a clean strike, McGregor stayed on his feet, ready to return. McGregor responded with force. In the end, it was a tight round that could’ve been scored either way.

The second round came, and Trujillo dropped McGregor. After hitting the ground hard, McGregor got to his feet and beat the referee’s 10-count. When it was his time to strike, though, he did not have the same power as in the first round. The momentum had swung, and it was apparent. Trujillo stepped up and showcased why he is “The Real Deal”. A massive strike sent McGregor to the ground once and for all and showcased the lightweight’s power.

Despite his small stature, Trujillo does not have a clear matchup at lightweight to defend his belt next. It was mentioned that he could move to 170 pounds and attempt to become a two-division champion. As the lightweight division continues to grow, more contenders will come to the forefront. But, for now, Trujillo is the face of the division.

Second Time’s The Charm

The main card opened with two rematches of matches that ended in a knockout in the first rendition. Each ended in a Knockout once again, albeit with different stories. After seeing a stacked preliminary card before them, these two fights delivered as highlight reels expanded on the main card.

Just before the title fights, the return of “Turp Daddy Slim” Austin Turpin occurred, this time at heavyweight. When Turpin hit the stage, his energy was high like it normally is. However, he was just as locked in as we have ever seen. He faced a former foe in Vernon “The Mechanic” Cathey. Cathey knocked out Turpin in their first encounter, and the rivalry was evident.

Cathey struck first, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Turpin. “Turp Daddy Slim” stepped up to the plate and brought his right hand, but Cathey flinched. Even with the flinch, Cathey did not wear the strike well. Turpin got to strike again, and it was over quickly. A small adjustment from throwing his first strike on one, to the second coming on three, and Cathey hit the ground. It was a vicious knockout victory for the heavyweight contender.

The other rematch was between the UK’s Darren Godfrey and Hawai’i’s Ke’Ali’i Kanekoa. In the first match, Godfrey won by knockout, but there was controversy surrounding a potential flinch. In this match, though, almost nothing changed. Kanekoa struck first and wobbled Godfrey slightly. Once recovered, Godfrey stepped up to the plate and brought a big strike, but Kanekoa flinched.

Once Godfrey landed his second strike, though, it was over. Almost a repeat of the last knockout, where Kanekoa hit his head hard on the Slap Podium. Godfrey is a certified contender moving forward in the middleweight division.

The Early Card

The featured prelim showcased a heavyweight bout. “Colossus” Aaron Turner faced off against pro wrestler Ro Montana in what was a fun battle that ended in a decision. With a massive reach advantage, Turner showcased improved technique and a strong chin as he out-dueled the entertaining Montana. As both men will find a home in this division, Turner can start looking to the top 5 on his way to a title run.

Before that match was an extremely anticipated heavyweight bout, Kazakhstan’s Zakir Naimanbayev had a tough test against Cooper “The House” Housley. Coming off a DQ loss, Naimanbayev had something to prove, and that almost didn’t happen as Housley struck first and landed clean. Naimanbayev stayed on his feet, took his time, and delivered the biggest slap of his life, sending “The House” to the ground. The Kazakhstani slapper made a major statement to the rest of the heavyweight division; this is a future contender.

Two more massive slap fighters squared off in a super heavyweight match. In what may have been the match of the night, surging prospect Makini “Big Mak” Manu took on a veteran in Duane Crespo Jr. Having fought at the top of the heavyweight division, Crespo was a legitimate threat for “Big Mak”. But, the sumo wrestler had no fear. He was too big and too powerful, and by the third round, Manu found his shot that sent Crespo to the canvas. He made a massive statement as he maintains his undefeated record with a win against the current champion, potentially setting up a rematch shortly.

To open the televised portion of the card, the middleweight division welcomed former welterweight champion Emmanuel “No Love” Muniz. Muniz came into the match looking ready for his new weight class but faced the ranked Brandon “The Ripper” Rhodes. Rhodes came in ranked ninth in the division and stayed one step ahead of the smaller Muniz. As they both traded slaps, Rhodes had slightly more power and came away with a unanimous decision that will see him move up the rankings.

In what was a jam-packed Power Slap card, with more broadcasted matches than ever before, the 14th edition did not disappoint. New Orleans was the perfect place for a crowded arena and an appetizer of violence.

There is a loaded weekend of combat sports, but there is no doubt that the fans will remember Power Slap 14. Two champions continued their legacy, while many other athletes continued to build their own.

Power Slap returns soon, so stay tuned to The Scrap for all the latest coverage!