Jaidan “The Koala” Fa’anana knows exactly what is waiting for him at Power Slap 20.
A veteran opponent.
A live crowd.
A major step up in competition.
And the biggest spotlight of his young Power Slap career.
But despite the nerves, the Australian prospect says he feels nothing but grateful for the opportunity.
“A little stress, but feeling blessed.”
After scoring a TKO victory in his debut appearance at Power Slap 18, Fa’anana now moves onto the live card at Power Slap 20, where he will face experienced light heavyweight contender Luke Simonds.
And according to Jaidan, fans should expect a war.
Staying Ready Before the Call Ever Came
Even before officially receiving another fight offer, Fa’anana says he had a strong feeling another opportunity was coming quickly.
So instead of slowing down after his debut win, he continued preparing immediately.
“I just had a feeling that I would get another fight.”
That mindset has become central to his preparation:
- stay ready
- continue training
- and approach every opportunity seriously
Because to him, nothing is guaranteed.
The Speed of the Power Slap Experience
One thing that surprised Fa’anana during his debut was just how fast everything happened.
From:
- meeting opponents backstage
- experiencing fight-week nerves
- stepping onto the stage
- and then suddenly competing
the entire process felt like a blur.
“It happened so quick.”
Even though his debut took place during the pre-recorded portion of the event with a smaller crowd, the atmosphere still hit him hard emotionally.
Now, Power Slap 20 presents an entirely different environment.
A live crowd.
A bigger stage.
More pressure.
And Jaidan is embracing it.
Excited — and Nervous — for the Live Card
Fa’anana admitted there are definitely nerves heading into his live-card debut.
But he believes feeding off the crowd energy while staying locked in on his opponent will ultimately help him perform.
“I’ll sense the energy of the crowd and I’ll also be locked in and focused.”
For him, the live-card experience is something he has dreamed about.
And now he finally gets to live it.
Respect for Luke Simonds
Unlike many fight build-ups that revolve around trash talk, Fa’anana spoke with genuine respect about Luke Simonds.
The two actually met during Power Slap 18 and spent time discussing:
- technique
- striking mechanics
- and the evolution of Luke’s slap over the years
According to Jaidan:
- Luke was welcoming
- helpful
- and extremely respectful
“I have no animosity towards him at all.”
Still, respect does not change what happens on fight night.
Fa’anana believes both men come from similar gym-warrior mentalities:
- hard workers
- fighters who refuse to quit
- and athletes willing to leave everything on stage
Which is exactly why he expects this matchup to turn into a battle.
“I really feel like this is going to be a war.”
Luke’s Experience vs. Jaidan’s Momentum
Fa’anana fully understands what Simonds brings into this matchup.
Despite Luke entering on a two-fight losing streak, Jaidan recognizes:
- the experience advantage
- Luke’s previous success
- and the urgency Luke will likely feel trying to avoid a third straight loss
That reality makes him dangerous.
But Jaidan believes his own growth and adaptability are equally important factors.
A New Version of “The Koala”
One of the more intriguing revelations during the interview was Jaidan hinting that fans have not yet seen his full striking style.
He acknowledged that during his debut:
- nerves played a role
- the adrenaline impacted timing
- and he rushed aspects of his strike
After reviewing the footage repeatedly, he says adjustments have already been made.
“I feel like my slap will be different.”
However, he stopped short of revealing exactly what has changed.
That, according to him, will be revealed on fight night.
Michael Bisping’s Voice Made It Real
Like many international combat sports fans, Fa’anana grew up watching Michael Bisping compete in the UFC.
So hearing Bisping commentate his own Power Slap debut was surreal.
“I look up to that guy as an idol.”
He specifically referenced:
- Bisping’s legendary UFC career
- his fights against Dan Henderson
- Georges St-Pierre
- Kelvin Gastelum
- and the toughness that made “The Count” iconic
To hear Bisping say his name on broadcast made the entire experience feel real for the first time.
“Let’s Give the People a Show”
When asked what the perfect fight night looks like, Fa’anana had a very clear vision.
Yes, he wants the knockout.
But just as importantly, he wants to entertain.
He wants:
- crowd energy
- momentum swings
- excitement
- and a true fight atmosphere
“Let’s give the people a show.”
He also expressed excitement about sharing the stage with several major names at Power Slap 20, including:
- Dorian Perez
- Nate Bernard
- Anthony “Babyface” Blackburn
- Andrew Provost
- and Esteban, whose move down to middleweight surprised him
Fa’anana admitted he initially wondered whether Esteban might become his opponent before the final matchup with Luke Simonds was announced.
The Goal: Fireworks
Fa’anana closed the interview with a respectful message directed toward Simonds.
No insults.
No trash talk.
Just excitement.
“It’s an honor sharing the stage with you.”
And then came the final message:
“Let’s create fireworks.”
At Power Slap 20, one of the division’s experienced veterans meets one of its rising prospects.
And if Jaidan Fa’anana is correct, fans are about to witness a genuine war inside the light heavyweight division.