Power Slap 11: Full Card Predictions
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Power Slap 11 is highly anticipated as the promotion makes a return and takes place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia inside Riyadh’s ANB Arena. The Dana White-led promotion will be making its return for the first time in 2025 with eight hard-hitting matchups on Thursday, January 30th.
Check out our Power Slap 11 predictions for each matchup:
Super Heavyweight Title Fight
Da Crazy Hawaiian (2) vs. Dumpling 2
Layne Viernes, otherwise known as Da Crazy Hawaiian has been the promotions Super Heavyweight Champion since Power Slap 5. He has successfully defended the belt once and now steps onto the stage with his former foe, “The Dumpling”. They have already stood across from each other and went the distance on Power Slap 9.
The match was scored a draw due to fouls from Viernes, which led to a point deduction. Some, including the “Dumpling” disagreed with the scoring of a draw as there were multiple close rounds. In the end the judges leaned to the champions side on 3/5 rounds. In the rematch t Power Slap 11, Vasily Kamotsky will look to correct his mistakes and ensure he can win at least three rounds this time.
Despite this, Da Crazy Hawaiian did look very impressive in that match. He was able to take all of the Vasily’s strikes and return fire. Neither man seemed too hurt, but both landed good shots. They both lost power as the match got into the championship rounds.
In this match, we will see Da Crazy Hawaiian striking first. This is a massive swing, as it can do major damage and impact the future strikes coming back his way. For the rematch, expect a similar match to the first encounter, with it going the distance. Both men have proven track records in the sport and it will take a lot to put them down. If the fouls get cleaned up by the champion, he should be able to get a decision win this time.
Prediction: Da Crazy Hawaiian via Unanimous Decision
Light Heavyweight Title
Ron Bata (C) vs. Vernon Cathey
Ron “Wolverine” Bata will be returning to defend his belt after a KO loss to Austin Turpin at Power Slap 7. The KO occurred in round 5, in a match where Turpin was not eligible to win the belt due to missing weight. In Bata’s return to the stage, he faces off with the veteran “Mechanic” Vernon Cathey. Cathey is coming off of three highlight-reel KO wins and is an OG in the sport.
Bata, has proven over time that he has a great chin and great striking technique. You always know he is on the stage by the unique boots he likes to wear. Standing across from him will be the “Mechanic”, who is respectful and kind… But, once he hits the stage, the violence arrives.
Despite everything positive about these two trailblazers in the sport, they both have the same question about a potential weakness in their game, their chin. Having taken a lot of damage, we saw Ron Bata get knocked out in his last match. Additionally, prior to Cathey’s winning streak, people were saying he’s a “chinny” fighter that is first-round or bust. Since that fight, Cathey has proven he can take a slap. But, he has yet to face someone like “Wolverine”, the former heavyweight champion.
In this match, I expect the first two-division champion in Power Slap to have a resurgence after over nine months away from he sport. Bata, will have done his chin well and he will bring heavyweight power into the light heavyweight division. Cathey has ungodly power, but Bata has proven he can take a slap in the past. Even if he gets hurt, you know he will get back up. Cathey earned his way to this shot and has the power to take the belt. But at Power Slap 11, the lean has to be on the current champion.
Prediction: Ron Bata via 1st-Round KO
Women’s Featherweight
Sheena Bathory vs. Jackie Cataline
While they have faced off against each other at Power Slap 6, since, they’ve gone on different routes. Bathory took some time off after eating a strong, but illegal slap from Cataline. Whereas Cataline went on to beat Robyn Wereshchuk.
Bathory was the first woman in Power Slap. She helped coach under Darius “The Destroyer” Mata on Season 1 of Power Slap: Road to the Title. Cataline will hope to showcase her improved technique in a battle of wits in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In the same weekend that UFC will host their first female fight in Riyadh, Power Slap 11 brings this highly anticipated rematch. As noted, the first match ended before it could get started. But, Cataline was able to showcase her talent. Now, this matchup will be a massive test for both women, who could be in line for the first women’s title fight.
Seeing them face off will be fun, and you shouldn’t blink, as this could end quickly. Despite this, Cataline and her improved striking means she must take a little power off her shots. Whereas Bathory has displayed great technique in the past with her only fumble being against Cataline. Expect this one to be a close match that’ll put you at the edge of your seat.
Prediction: Sheena Bathory via Unanimous Decision
Super Heavyweight
Kalani Vakameilalo vs. Danie van Heerden
In a battle between two 300+ pound men, we’ll see two former opponents of the current champion square off. Both lost their matchup with Da Crazy Hawaiian. But, they are eyeing a second oppurtunity at the belt after coming off of victories in their last match.
Vakameilalo is coming off a second-round KO where he dropped his opponent in both rounds. Van Heerden was dominant and his hard strikes left his opponent in a daze. It lead to a DQ victory after his opponent could not slap him cleanly.
Entering this fight, the two giants will look to cement their spot at the top of the division with a win over the other. In this matchup, we will see the slightly taller, Vakameilalo take the first slap and return fire. Danie comes with clean technique and lands in the same spot every time, so he can be very dangerous.
If Vakameilalo can take the first slap, he may be able to return strong as van Heerdan is slightly smaller. Vakameilalo also looks pretty athletic for a big man. The winner will be the fighter who can bounce back the best from taking a slap.
Prediction: Kalani Vakameilalo via 2nd-Round KO
Middleweight Featured Prelim
Ke’ali’i Kanekoa vs. Brandon Rhodes
The featured prelim has two hard-hitting middleweights looking to bounce back. “The Chief” Ke’ali’i Kanekoa is coming off a KO loss against Darren Godfrey. Kenekoa made a name for himself on Season 3 of Road to the Title as an aggressive and exciting athlete. Brandon Rhodes is coming off a loss to Brandon Bordeaux who recently challenged for the title.
The two hold mutual respect as they spent time together in the house on the reality show. They are looking to improve from their last fight, Kanekoa his defense and Rhodes, his technique. As they journey to Abu Dhabi, the competitors are looking for a quick night at the office. Rhodes has proven he’s able to get up after getting hit. Kanekoa has shown he has impressive striking and hip rotation in his strike.
Kanekoa was awarded the first slap and this is essential as these two do not want to take a second straight loss. Considering this matchup, he needed this first slap. Even if Rhodes is knocked down, he’ll probably get back up and look to get some offense of his own. This is where the fouls occurred in his last bout.
In this match, look for Kanekoa to give his first slap everything he has. In his last match, he got hit on the button and was not able to give a return slap. If he does not get Rhodes out in the first round, it may be risky waters. Do not be surprised if this match does not go the distance. Both guys have been calling for first-round KO’s.
Prediction: Brandon Rhodes via 1st-Round KO
Middleweight
Darren Godfrey vs. Merlis Muusikus
In what will be a battle of Europeans, Darren Godfrey and Merlis Mussikus will look to get back-to-back wins for themselves and rise up the rankings.
Muusikus slaps first and this will be massive as Godfrey has the highest slap score in the middleweight division. The highly anticipated return of both should see massive power showcased and toughness. As they step onto the stage, they will look to create a highlight to help approach a title shot.
The middleweight division is tied up with a rematch on the horizon for the belt. This makes now the perfect time for each striker to create a name for themselves. With both competitors being high energy, expect to hear some loud screaming and showboating on the stage. Godfrey brings all his personality with him…
Darren must outlast the first strike, but we have yet to see him make it to the judge’s scorecards. It would be unlikely that this match makes it the distance as well. Godfrey has ungodly power and does not mind getting hit, so this could be dangerous for Muusikus.
Prediction: Darren Godfrey via 1st-Round KO
Heavyweight: Wes Mena vs. Devin Jenkins
Two former competitors on Road to the Title will go head-to-head. Wes Mena returns to take on Devin Jenkins. These men match up well, as both are hoping to get a ranking next to their name at the end of the night. Mena is coming off a second-round KO of Jashell Awa on Power Slap 9. Whereas Jenkins is returning from Season 3 of the reality show and being on hiatus.
Mena has had issues with fouls in the past but when he strikes cleanly, it is vicious. For Jenkins, he has had to wait since his last fight, which has given him plenty of time to prepare. With both men weighing in below the heavyweight limit, this fight should be fireworks. Look for both men to showcase improved technique and better power. This one could make it out of the first round as each competitor has strong chins.
As long as this match stays foul-free, anticipate it getting out of the first round and being a back-and-forth affair. Despite this being a coin flip bout, the lean here has to go to the competitor that has fought higher level competition.
Prediction: Devin Jenkins via Unanimous Decision
Light Heavyweight: Luke Simonds vs. Garrett Blakesslee
In what may be the best matchup of the entire card, bodybuilder Luke Simonds faces off against Garrett Blakeslee. It’s one between two strikers with a history of fouling issues. For Blakeslee, it has been an issue with clubbing. For Simonds, it has been an issue with flinching. They each pack crazy power and have proven capable of taking a slap and getting back up.
Additionally, both men have faced off with TJ Thomas. They were able to knock him down without him being able to continue to compete. But, for Simonds, it was a vicious KO. For Blakeslee, he was called for clubbing in the first round and lost via DQ. Coming off these matches, look for the light heavyweights to have cleaner performances.
Prediction: Luke Simonds via 2nd-Round KO
Quick Picks for The Power Slap 11 Early Prelims:
- Tyler Gross def. Sean Kilmartin via Unanimous Decision (Welterweight)
- Troels Nielsen def. Zakir Naimanbayev via 1st-Round KO(Heavyweight)
- Rod Alavi def. Cole Young via 3rd-Round KO (Welterweight) Prediction
- Nicole Schaefer def. Tai Emery via Unanimous Decision (Women’s Bantamweight)
- Denis Vildanov def. Dayne Viernes via Unanimous Decision (Super Heavyweight)
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