Isaih Quinones is ready to remind everyone why he’s the reigning Power Slap middleweight champion.
After nearly nine months away from competition, Quinones returns at Power Slap 21 during International Fight Week to defend his title against undefeated challenger Stunt Marshall.
While many fans have been captivated by Marshall’s rapid rise through the division, Quinones believes one critical question still hasn’t been answered.
What happens when Stunt Marshall finally gets hit?
For the champion, that’s exactly what everyone is about to find out.
Isaih Doesn’t Believe Stunt Marshall Has Been Tested
Marshall has quickly built momentum since entering Power Slap, finishing opponents and becoming one of the faces of Sin Bodhi’s growing group of wrestling athletes.
But according to Quinones, none of those performances tell the full story.
He believes Marshall has yet to experience what every elite Power Slap competitor eventually must.
“He still hasn’t been hit.”
Quinones pointed to Marshall’s previous matchup with John Davis, suggesting the former title challenger never fully committed to his strike because of lingering shoulder concerns.
He also revealed that he had heard the athletic commission played a role in ending the contest early due to Davis’ recent knockout history.
As far as Quinones is concerned, Marshall still hasn’t faced true adversity inside the Power Slap arena.
“I think it’s time to get humbled.”
Experience Could Be The Biggest Difference
If there’s one area where Quinones believes he owns a major advantage, it’s experience.
The middleweight champion enters Power Slap 21 with an extensive résumé that includes championship fights, multiple title runs, and several battles that pushed him deep into difficult situations.
He’s been rocked.
He’s been knocked down.
He’s recovered.
And he’s learned from every single moment.
“That experience of getting rocked and knowing how to compose yourself after you get rocked… that’s a big game changer.”
Quinones referenced previous fights against Russel Rivero and Brandon Bordeaux, explaining how those experiences taught him when to stay composed instead of rushing back into exchanges.
He believes those lessons simply can’t be learned until an athlete has actually experienced them under the lights.
Champion Strikes First Changes Everything
One of the biggest storylines entering Power Slap 21 is the recently implemented rule allowing champions to strike first in title defenses.
Quinones couldn’t be happier.
With Marshall still relatively untested defensively, the champion believes the rule dramatically shifts the matchup in his favor.
“It’s game over for him.”
He’s spent months sharpening his accuracy and believes his first strike will immediately put Marshall into unfamiliar territory.
Quinones also revealed that he and his team discussed defensive positioning with Power Slap officials at the previous event.
According to him, referees are placing increased emphasis on ensuring competitors keep their chin elevated and shoulders back before each strike.
That only gives Quinones a more consistent target.
“I know I’m gonna find the accuracy on the first one.”
Staying Ready During A Long Layoff
Although fans haven’t seen Quinones compete since October, he insists very little has changed behind the scenes.
His motivation extends well beyond defending a championship.
Years ago, Quinones weighed more than 230 pounds.
He refuses to ever return to that version of himself.
Training has simply become part of his lifestyle.
“I’m always at the gym.”
But there’s another driving force behind his relentless work ethic.
Quinones wants Power Slap to become a legitimate career for athletes.
His goal is to continue earning bonuses, increasing his value, and helping elevate fighter pay across the organization.
“I want to be the main pioneer of us getting to that next level.”
Learning From Past Mistakes
One of the defining moments of Quinones’ career came when he missed Brandon Bordeaux during their championship rivalry.
Instead of ignoring the mistake, he’s spent months studying exactly why it happened.
The answer was surprisingly simple.
He took his eyes off the target.
“You gotta keep your eye on the ball.”
Since then, Quinones has become obsessive about improving his precision.
He studies film repeatedly, breaking down not only his own performances but also every available clip of Marshall competing.
Even subtle defensive movements matter.
Quinones explained that he now anticipates slight head movement before throwing his strikes, allowing him to adjust his targeting in real time.
It’s a level of preparation he believes only comes with years of experience.
Film Study Has Fueled His Confidence
Despite Marshall’s undefeated record, Quinones isn’t intimidated by what he’s seen on tape.
In fact, watching Marshall’s previous fights has only increased his confidence.
He’s repeatedly studied both Marshall’s offensive technique and the limited footage of him absorbing strikes.
The conclusion?
Marshall hasn’t experienced anything close to what’s coming at Power Slap 21.
“I’m just ripping his head off.”
It’s bold confidence—but exactly the mindset Quinones believes a champion should have.
Why Missing Shallow Is Better Than Going Too Deep
Quinones also offered insight into one of the finer technical aspects of Power Slap.
If a striker misses their intended target, he’d much rather miss shallow than swing too deep.
His reasoning comes from personal experience.
During his fight with Russel Rivero, Quinones struck too deep after Rivero flinched, resulting in a thumb injury that later turned out to be a hairline fracture.
Going too deep also increases the risk of disqualification if a strike lands illegally behind the ear.
“I’d rather just go shallow and whiff.”
It’s another example of how years of experience have shaped his approach.
Motivation Isn’t Coming From The Crowd
As Marshall continues gaining popularity among wrestling fans, Quinones isn’t paying much attention.
He expects Marshall to have plenty of supporters in Las Vegas.
It simply doesn’t matter to him.
Quinones believes his own fanbase extends well beyond Power Slap, and he remains completely focused on his own performance.
He even joked that he’d welcome fans betting against him.
“I’m just gonna smash him and everybody’s gonna lose their money again.”
A Message For Stunt Marshall
As the interview wrapped up, Quinones delivered one final message to his challenger.
He reminded Marshall that before becoming opponents, they actually shared history.
Quinones coached Marshall during his very first Power Slap appearance.
Now, the student faces the teacher.
“I’m about to humble you.”
For Quinones, this isn’t simply about defending a championship.
It’s about proving exactly why he’s still the man at the top of the middleweight division.
Isaih Quinones Plans To Remind Everyone Why He’s The Champion
After months away from competition, Isaih Quinones believes he’s returning as an even more complete Power Slap athlete.
The experience.
The film study.
The technical improvements.
The motivation.
He believes every piece is coming together at exactly the right time.
Stunt Marshall may arrive undefeated.
But Quinones believes International Fight Week is where the newcomer’s rise comes to an end—and where the middleweight champion reminds the entire division why the belt still belongs around his waist.