Brandon Wilson and Brian Ellis are set to collide in a heavyweight matchup at Power Slap 23 in Texas, and both men are expecting violence when they finally stand across from one another.
Wilson enters as one of the newer faces in the division, while Ellis brings considerably more Power Slap experience and believes his veteran knowledge can help push him back into the rankings.
Despite the mutual respect between the two heavyweights, neither man is pretending this is anything other than a fight.
Both want a knockout.
And with Wilson’s power meeting Ellis’ size, durability and experience, the matchup has the potential to become one of the most physical contests on the Power Slap 23 card.
Brandon Wilson Is Ready For Another Step Up
Wilson has quickly made an impression since arriving in Power Slap.
After putting together strong performances early in his career, he now gets an opportunity to test himself against a much more experienced opponent.
For Wilson, that is exactly what he wants.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity once again,” Wilson said.
He described Ellis as a big, experienced competitor and acknowledged that the matchup represents another important step in his development.
“Brian seems like a cool dude,” Wilson said. “He’s been in the sport, nice big guy as well.”
Wilson has never been interested in overcomplicating his approach.
He wants to show up, compete and continue doing what has already brought him success.
“I just like doing my thing.”
Brian Ellis Finally Gets A Home-State Fight
For Ellis, Power Slap 23 carries additional significance.
The veteran heavyweight finally gets an opportunity to compete in Texas, giving him what he considers a legitimate home-field advantage.
“I’ve got to give him a good Texas welcome,” Ellis said.
After spending much of his Power Slap career traveling for opportunities, being able to compete closer to home brings a different level of excitement.
“I got the home-field advantage on this one, finally.”
Ellis is already embracing everything surrounding the Texas event, from local food to the atmosphere expected around the card.
But once fight night arrives, the hospitality ends.
Mutual Respect Before The Violence
The interaction between Wilson and Ellis was noticeably friendly.
They joked about food, Texas barbecue and the differences between American barbecue and the South African tradition of cooking meat over a wood fire.
That respect does not mean either man plans to take it easy once they reach the Power Slap stage.
Wilson made his intentions clear.
“I’m going to try and knock you out, my brother.”
Ellis responded with essentially the same message.
“I’m trying to take your head off.”
Their mentality reflects an increasingly common dynamic in Power Slap: athletes can respect each other before and after the match while still understanding exactly what they signed up to do.
As Ellis put it:
“We know what we signed up for.”
Ellis Hopes He Enters As The Underdog
Ellis currently finds himself outside the rankings despite previously defeating a ranked opponent.
Rather than being frustrated by the possibility of entering Power Slap 23 as the underdog, he welcomes it.
“I hope I’m the underdog, actually,” Ellis said.
Wilson has earned his ranking through impressive performances, and Ellis believes that deserves respect.
“I got to give him his respect for making those rankings.”
At the same time, Ellis believes he has unfinished business.
His previous opponent was ranked ninth when they fought, yet Ellis says both athletes later found themselves outside the rankings.
Now he wants to force his way back in.
“I got to get that ranking back.”
A victory over Wilson would be difficult for the division to ignore.
Wilson Has Studied Brian Ellis
Once Wilson learned Ellis would be his opponent, he immediately began studying his previous performances.
“I did go and search his name once I signed the contract,” Wilson explained.
What immediately stood out was Ellis’ size.
At approximately 6-foot-6, Ellis presents a significantly different physical challenge than Wilson’s previous opponents.
“He’s a big guy,” Wilson said.
Wilson also believes Ellis can provide something he has yet to truly experience in Power Slap.
A legitimate test of his chin.
“I’d love to test my chin.”
Through his background in MMA and boxing, Wilson believes he already knows that he can absorb punishment.
But Power Slap is different.
Standing stationary and accepting a clean strike from a heavyweight the size of Ellis presents a completely different challenge.
“None of my previous opponents really hit me properly.”
That could change in Texas.
Ellis Wants To Be The First Man To Truly Test Wilson
Ellis sees the matchup from a similar perspective.
He respects Wilson’s power and what he has accomplished so far, but he also believes Wilson remains relatively untested defensively.
“He hasn’t really been hit yet,” Ellis said.
Wilson’s previous opponents were significantly less experienced, according to Ellis.
That makes Power Slap 23 a different type of challenge.
“We’re going to see if he can take a real hit.”
For Ellis, that is one of the biggest questions surrounding the matchup.
Wilson has already shown that he can deliver knockout power.
Now Ellis wants to find out what happens when that power is met with an experienced heavyweight who can fire back.
Heavyweight Athletes Are Changing Power Slap
Both Wilson and Ellis come from serious athletic backgrounds.
Wilson has years of experience in MMA and boxing, while Ellis competed as a Division I defensive end before transitioning into Power Slap.
Ellis believes athletes with those backgrounds represent where the sport is heading.
“You can see the change over time,” he said.
Power Slap’s talent pool continues to evolve, with more experienced combat athletes, wrestlers and high-level traditional athletes entering the promotion.
According to Ellis, that development will only make the heavyweight division more competitive.
“The new guys they’re bringing in, there’s more athletes joining now.”
The days of simply showing up with natural toughness may eventually disappear.
Technique, conditioning, athleticism and legitimate striking power are becoming increasingly important.
Wilson Believes Power Slap Is Becoming More Serious
Wilson agrees that the sport is evolving.
He believes the competitive level will continue increasing as more experienced fighters enter the promotion.
“Eventually Power Slap is going to get much more serious,” Wilson said.
For Wilson, the danger of the sport cannot be overlooked.
He knows the kind of power he carries and understands what can happen when a heavyweight lands cleanly.
“I hit really hard,” he said. “It’s not a joke if I’m going to hit you and I’m going to land.”
As Power Slap attracts more experienced athletes, Wilson expects the difference between casual participants and legitimate fighters to become obvious.
“We’re going to start getting some more fighters. Killers, as I say.”
In his view, athletes either possess that mentality naturally or they do not.
“You either got it in you or you don’t.”
Wilson Isn’t Interested In Playing A Character
Wilson understands that Power Slap is entertainment as well as competition.
Still, he has no interest in manufacturing a personality just to promote a fight.
“I’m not really here for the show.”
He does not believe every matchup requires personal animosity or exaggerated trash talk.
At the same time, he admits there is a strange psychological element to becoming friendly with someone you are preparing to hit as hard as possible.
“I’m not here to buddy-buddy with everybody.”
His previous opponents were people he genuinely liked.
Then fight night arrived and the objective changed completely.
“I’m going to try and take this guy’s head off now.”
That contradiction is simply part of combat sports.
Wilson prefers to let his performances create the attention.
“I think my fights will sell themselves.”
Wilson Tells Ellis Exactly What He Plans To Do
When asked to sell the fight directly to Ellis, Wilson kept the message simple.
“I’m going to try and knock you out, my brother.”
He encouraged Ellis to hit him with everything he has if the veteran gets the opportunity.
“Hit me as hard as you can. Put me to the test.”
But Wilson also delivered a warning.
If Ellis strikes first and Wilson remains standing, he plans to immediately return the favor.
“If you hit me and I look you in your eyes, it’s coming your way, brother.”
There was no screaming or manufactured hostility.
Just confidence.
Ellis Still Has Championship Ambitions
Ellis has been in Power Slap long enough to understand how quickly careers can change.
He believes he has taken a step backward in recent appearances, but the championship remains his ultimate objective.
“My mind is still focused on that belt.”
To reach that level, Ellis knows he needs more than simply winning.
He needs a statement.
“I need a knockout.”
That goal has shaped his preparation.
Ellis says he has been improving his chin, sharpening his technique and attempting to maximise everything he has learned through years in the promotion.
“I’m just using this wisdom that I gained from being here so long.”
Against an explosive newcomer like Wilson, that experience could prove crucial.
Experience Could Be Ellis’ Biggest Weapon
Wilson may possess natural power and legitimate combat sports experience, but Ellis has something that cannot be simulated in training.
Power Slap experience.
He understands the stage, the officiating, the timing, the nerves and the small technical details that can determine whether a strike lands legally or becomes a foul.
That accumulated knowledge is something Ellis believes he can use against the newcomer.
He has already experienced both success and setbacks in the promotion.
Now he wants to apply those lessons to one of the biggest opportunities of his recent career.
“I took a step backwards and I’m all about going forward.”
A victory over a ranked fighter like Wilson could immediately change the direction of his career again.
Neither Man Wants A Decision
There is one thing both athletes appear to agree on.
They do not want the judges involved.
Wilson has already demonstrated his ability to generate significant knockout power.
Ellis is entering the matchup openly saying that he needs a finish to reignite his climb through the division.
That creates a dangerous dynamic.
Both men are big.
Both believe in their durability.
Both believe they can hurt the other.
And neither appears interested in fighting cautiously.
“I’m trying to take your head off,” Ellis said.
Wilson’s response was almost identical.
“I’m going to try and knock you out.”
Brandon Wilson Vs. Brian Ellis Could Deliver Heavyweight Fireworks
Power Slap 23 represents two very different career trajectories colliding.
Brandon Wilson is the rising newcomer trying to prove that his early success can continue against experienced competition.
Brian Ellis is the veteran attempting to remind the division that he remains a serious heavyweight threat.
Wilson wants his chin tested.
Ellis wants to be the man who tests it.
Ellis wants his ranking back.
Wilson wants to keep climbing.
There is mutual respect between them now, and there may still be mutual respect once the match is finished.
But when they step onto the Power Slap stage in Texas, friendship will temporarily disappear.
Both men have already promised the same thing.
They’re coming to take the other man’s head off.