Daniyar Daurenovich is returning to Power Slap with championship ambitions when he faces Darren Godfrey at Power Slap 22 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Daurenovich has not competed in the promotion since his successful appearance at Power Slap 17, but the Kazakh combat sports athlete insists he has remained active throughout his absence. Between hand-to-hand combat, MMA, arm wrestling and strength-based competitions, he has continued testing himself while waiting for another opportunity on the Power Slap stage.
Now, with a potential title shot reportedly awaiting the winner, Daurenovich sees the matchup with Godfrey as far more than another fight. He believes it could be the final step before challenging Isack Hadley for the championship.
Daniyar Daurenovich Has Been Waiting For His Return
Daurenovich made an immediate impression during his Power Slap debut, combining an energetic walkout with a successful performance that introduced his personality and power to a wider audience.
Since then, he has been waiting for the promotion to call again.
“I’ve been waiting to come back for so long,” Daurenovich said through his translator. “I did very well in my debut, and I’ve been waiting to get back on that platform.”
He was initially expecting to compete again earlier in the year, but changes to the schedule prevented that appearance from taking place.
The delay never affected his motivation.
Daurenovich says he remained prepared to compete every month and continued training as though another fight could arrive at any moment.
“I’m ready physically and mentally,” he said. “I just cannot wait to get back.”
Daurenovich Has Stayed Active Across Multiple Sports
Power Slap has not been Daurenovich’s only competitive focus.
During his time away from the promotion, he continued participating in several combat and strength-based disciplines, including MMA, hand-to-hand fighting and arm wrestling.
“I’m not just sitting around,” he explained. “I do all different types of combat sports.”
That activity has allowed him to maintain his conditioning and competitive mindset while waiting for another Power Slap opportunity.
Daurenovich recently competed in hand-to-hand combat and earned another victory, reinforcing his belief that he is entering Power Slap 22 in strong physical condition.
His willingness to compete across several disciplines is central to his identity. Rather than specialising in one area, Daurenovich wants to prove that his athleticism and toughness can translate wherever he chooses to compete.
Darren Godfrey Brings A Boxing Background
Daurenovich has studied Godfrey’s previous fights and recognises that his opponent brings legitimate experience.
Godfrey has a boxing base, giving him an understanding of balance, rotational power and generating force through the lower body.
“He’s a good fighter,” Daurenovich said. “He’s strong and physically fit.”
Despite that respect, Daurenovich believes his own background is more diverse.
He began with wrestling before expanding into striking and hand-to-hand combat. That combination has helped him develop a strong base, explosive power and confidence under pressure.
Daurenovich expects Godfrey to be prepared, but he does not believe the matchup presents anything he cannot handle.
Daurenovich Promises To Bring Kazakh Power
Daurenovich wants to use the matchup to showcase what he calls the traditional Kazakh “shapala,” a term he uses to describe his national style of delivering a powerful slap.
He views his return as an opportunity to represent Kazakhstan and demonstrate the strength he has developed through years of competition.
“I’m going to show them the real national Kazakh chapala,” he said.
Daurenovich initially described himself as a three-time national slap champion, but his translator later clarified that the titles came in a punching-power competition rather than traditional slap fighting.
The competition uses a professional hanging bag rather than an arcade-style punching machine. Athletes compete within weight divisions and strike the bag to measure power.
Daurenovich says he became a three-time national champion in that format, recording the strongest punch in his category.
While the discipline differs from Power Slap, the achievement supports his reputation as an athlete capable of producing exceptional force.
His Debut Came Without A Power Slap-Specific Camp
One of the most important differences between Daurenovich’s debut and his return is the way he has prepared.
Before Power Slap 17, he did not fully understand the technical demands of the sport and did not build his camp specifically around slap fighting.
“I did not prepare specifically for my debut,” he admitted.
Despite that lack of specialised preparation, Daurenovich still produced a successful performance.
Now that he understands the rules, mechanics and physical demands of Power Slap, he has adjusted his training accordingly.
He believes the additional knowledge will make him a more dangerous competitor in Serbia.
Neck Strength And Technique Have Become Priorities
Daurenovich’s current camp includes traditional strength training, but he has also added exercises designed specifically for receiving and delivering legal Power Slap strikes.
Neck strength has become one of his primary areas of focus.
A stronger neck can help an athlete remain stable after impact and reduce the violent movement created by a clean strike.
Daurenovich has also worked on his striking motion, making sure his swing is both powerful and technically legal.
“I understand what the sport is now,” he said. “I work specifically on my neck strength and on the swing.”
Those adjustments reflect a more professional approach than he brought into his debut.
Daurenovich is no longer relying exclusively on natural power and toughness. He is attempting to combine those qualities with the technical details required to succeed consistently.
Daurenovich Says He Will Fight Anyone
Daurenovich has no interest in selecting favourable opponents.
He insists that he will accept anyone Power Slap places in front of him, regardless of size, reputation or experience.
“Even if they put King Kong in front of me, I’m ready,” he said.
That mentality comes from years of competing across different sports and facing unfamiliar challenges.
Daurenovich believes fighters should not waste time attempting to control matchmaking. His responsibility is to prepare himself, arrive ready and defeat whoever signs the contract.
Godfrey may represent a step up in competition, but Daurenovich sees the fight as another opportunity to prove that his confidence is justified.
A Victory Could Lead Directly To The Championship
The stakes surrounding the matchup appear to be significant.
Daurenovich says he was told that the winner could be next in line to challenge Isack Hadley for the Power Slap title.
“This is basically a number one contender fight,” his translator explained.
That possibility has added another level of importance to the contest.
Daurenovich is not returning simply to rebuild momentum after a long absence. He believes a victory could immediately place him in the championship picture.
If that information is correct, Godfrey represents the final obstacle separating him from the opportunity he has been targeting since joining the promotion.
Power Slap Gold Comes Before Other Ambitions
Daurenovich remains interested in several combat sports, but his immediate priority is becoming a Power Slap champion.
He wants to secure the belt before turning his full attention toward opportunities elsewhere.
“The idea is first to get the belt in Power Slap,” he said.
After that, Daurenovich hopes to explore other organisations under the wider TKO and Zuffa umbrella, including UFC and boxing opportunities.
His goals are ambitious.
Daurenovich spoke about eventually winning championships across three different promotions, believing Power Slap success could create the platform required to pursue those opportunities.
“I want to take all three belts,” he said.
That vision may be distant, but Daurenovich sees Power Slap 22 as the first major step toward making it possible.
Daurenovich Wants To Become A Multi-Sport Champion
Daurenovich does not see himself abandoning other sports once his Power Slap career advances.
Instead, he wants his success in slap fighting to open more doors.
His wrestling background, striking experience and continued involvement in hand-to-hand combat have given him confidence that he can compete at a high level in several formats.
Winning the Power Slap title would provide visibility, credibility and leverage.
Daurenovich believes those advantages could eventually allow him to pursue professional opportunities in MMA and boxing while continuing to defend his place among the promotion’s top slap fighters.
His ambition is not simply to participate across multiple sports. He wants to win championships in all of them.
Daurenovich Sends Godfrey A Respectful Message
Despite his confidence, Daurenovich avoided directing personal insults toward Godfrey.
He wished his opponent good luck, a productive training camp and good health before they meet in Serbia.
“I hope he prepares well,” Daurenovich said.
Once the competition begins, however, he expects both men to give everything they have.
“The best man wins,” his translator added. “The last man standing.”
Daurenovich believes their matchup will produce an entertaining fight and give both athletes the opportunity to demonstrate why they deserve a place near the top of the division.
He remains convinced that he will be the one leaving Belgrade with the victory.
Daniyar Daurenovich Is Ready To Chase The Belt
Daniyar Daurenovich has spent his time away from Power Slap competing, training and waiting for another chance to make an impact.
His successful debut showed that his natural power and competitive confidence belonged on the stage. His return will reveal how much he has improved after finally preparing specifically for the sport.
Darren Godfrey brings boxing experience, physical strength and his own championship ambitions, but Daurenovich believes his broader background and recent technical adjustments will make the difference.
With a potential title shot against Isack Hadley reportedly awaiting the winner, Power Slap 22 could become the most important night of Daurenovich’s career.
He is not returning simply to entertain the crowd.
He is returning to begin his pursuit of the belt.