Alan “The Kryptonian” Klingbeil is back in the Power Slap light heavyweight division, and this time he gets to compete in his home state of Texas.
At Power Slap 23 in Lubbock, Klingbeil will welcome Carson Lee into one of the promotion’s deepest divisions, with the veteran entering as the No. 2-ranked contender against an unranked opponent.
Klingbeil may not love the “gatekeeper” label, but he understands what it represents.
He has been around since the early days of Power Slap, has competed against some of the best names in the division, and believes newcomers should have to prove themselves against fighters like him before climbing toward the top.
More importantly, Klingbeil still believes he belongs at the very top himself.
Klingbeil Does Not See Himself As A Gatekeeper
When asked whether he had become the gatekeeper of the light heavyweight division, Klingbeil immediately pushed back.
“That’s hurtful. Gatekeeper. Wow,” Klingbeil joked.
In his mind, his position is much higher.
“I think I’m the light heavyweight champ. That’s who I think I am.”
Klingbeil has never been shy about expressing his thoughts on previous judging decisions, and while he did not dive deeply into those frustrations again, it is clear that he still views himself as one of the elite competitors in the division.
Still, he welcomes the challenge of facing Lee.
“Welcome Carson Lee.”
Despite the competitive stakes, Klingbeil said he has heard positive things about his upcoming opponent and expects the matchup to be entertaining.
Power Slap Finally Comes To Texas
For Klingbeil, this fight carries additional significance because Power Slap 23 marks the promotion’s first event in Texas.
As a proud Texan, he has wanted this opportunity since the promotion’s earliest days.
“I have been waiting for this,” Klingbeil said.
While he admitted that a rematch with Wolverine would have been his dream matchup for the Texas card, simply competing in his home state means a great deal.
“Just being on the card is a privilege.”
Power Slap has discussed coming to Texas for years, and now Klingbeil finally gets to represent the Lone Star State in front of a home crowd.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do, is be able to fight in Texas and be a top-ranked fighter in something.”
For Klingbeil, being associated with a UFC-related promotion while representing his home state only adds to the importance of the moment.
What To Expect From Lubbock, Texas
Klingbeil knows Texas well, but even he admitted that Lubbock was not necessarily the first city he expected Power Slap to visit.
The city is best known as the home of Texas Tech University.
“It’s a college town,” Klingbeil said.
Texas Tech has long carried a reputation for having an energetic student population and passionate sports fans, something that could create a strong atmosphere for Power Slap 23.
Klingbeil believes that environment could work perfectly for the promotion.
“The Texas Tech fans, big college town. I’m super pumped.”
After waiting years for Power Slap to come to Texas, the exact location matters much less than finally having the event happen.
Klingbeil Respects Carson Lee’s Athletic Background
Klingbeil admits that he does not know everything about Lee.
Most of what he has learned has come through conversations, Power Slap profiles and limited research.
What has caught his attention is Lee’s athletic background.
Klingbeil understands that Lee has experience in boxing and an Ivy League education, two characteristics that immediately earned some respect from the veteran.
“I respect it 100 percent.”
Klingbeil believes he can relate to athletes entering Power Slap after previously competing in more traditional sports.
“I’ve been a real athlete in my life. I’ve competed in real sports.”
That background is something Klingbeil believes could help Lee long term.
At the same time, Klingbeil has no intention of allowing Lee to use him as a stepping stone.
“Let the real Slim Shady please stand up,” Klingbeil joked. “The real light heavyweight champion, the Kryptonian, this guy right here.”
Carson Lee Is Still Looking For His First Power Slap Win
Lee’s first appearance in Power Slap ended in a disqualification loss against Kid Lava.
That gives Klingbeil another significant advantage heading into Power Slap 23.
Experience.
Klingbeil has already competed eight times in the promotion and has gone through nearly every scenario imaginable.
He knows what it feels like to win.
He knows what it feels like to lose.
He has been rocked, recovered, committed fouls, dealt with judging, adjusted between rounds and competed under the brightest lights the promotion can offer.
Lee has yet to build that same experience.
And Klingbeil believes that could become a major factor.
Staying Clean Could Decide The Fight
Klingbeil believes one of the most difficult parts of Power Slap is maintaining technique after absorbing a clean strike.
Every fighter enters the match believing they can land a knockout.
The reality is that many fights continue beyond the opening shot.
“You always go in there with the mindset that maybe this guy does have something that I don’t,” Klingbeil explained.
Lee has already experienced a disqualification, and Klingbeil believes the challenge will be maintaining composure if the match becomes difficult.
“You get hit really hard in the head and then you have to really focus your body.”
That becomes even more difficult when thousands of fans are watching and emotions begin to rise.
“You’ve got a massive crowd around you.”
For Klingbeil, those are situations that only experience can truly prepare an athlete for.
Klingbeil Wants To Return To His Old Approach
Klingbeil has experimented with different approaches throughout his Power Slap career.
For this matchup, he wants to simplify things.
He comfortably walks around near the light heavyweight limit and does not anticipate needing a significant weight cut.
“I don’t plan on losing any weight.”
Instead of attempting to manipulate his body before fight night, Klingbeil plans to arrive healthy, strong and fully hydrated.
“I’m just gonna kinda go old-school me.”
He believes that approach will allow him to retain his natural strength while avoiding unnecessary physical stress before competing.
The goal is simple.
Arrive clear-headed.
Stay composed.
And be prepared for the possibility that the fight lasts all three rounds.
Klingbeil Believes Light Heavyweight Power Gives Him An Advantage
Carson Lee has previously competed at a lighter weight, while Klingbeil has spent years establishing himself as a legitimate light heavyweight.
That difference could matter.
Klingbeil believes his body has adapted to both delivering and absorbing the kind of power found at 205 pounds.
“I comfortably weigh in at around 200 to 210.”
If Lee is still adjusting to the division, Klingbeil believes the power difference could become apparent once the first clean strike lands.
“I anticipate to knock this kid out.”
While he respects Lee’s boxing background and believes he can probably absorb punishment, Klingbeil wants to find out whether that durability translates against an established Power Slap light heavyweight.
Being Ranked No. 2 Against An Unranked Opponent
Klingbeil enters the matchup ranked No. 2 in the division.
Lee is currently unranked.
On paper, that creates an unusual matchup.
Rather than viewing it simply as an insult, Klingbeil believes several factors may have contributed to the booking.
The Power Slap roster continues to change, and new regulatory requirements have affected which athletes are available for certain cards.
Whatever the reasoning behind the matchup, Klingbeil understands that his responsibility remains the same.
Show up.
Stay professional.
And win.
Being ranked does not protect anyone once they step onto the stage.
Eight Power Slap Fights Have Prepared Klingbeil For Almost Anything
At 4-4, Klingbeil has accumulated one of the deeper résumés in the light heavyweight division.
He has seen nearly every type of competitor.
Power hitters.
Technical strikers.
Durable fighters.
Emotional fighters.
Experienced veterans.
Newcomers.
That makes it difficult for him to imagine Lee showing something completely unfamiliar.
“I don’t think so,” Klingbeil said when asked whether Lee could bring anything he had never seen before.
Still, he refuses to become complacent.
“Every body type’s different.”
Arm length, hand size, speed, power and timing can all alter how a strike lands.
That uncertainty is why Klingbeil continues preparing as though every opponent presents a new problem.
Defensive Preparation Remains A Major Focus
Klingbeil has also spent significant time thinking about the defensive side of Power Slap.
The sport continues to evolve, and officiating standards surrounding stance, foot placement and receiving position remain important factors.
Rather than obsessing over those variables, Klingbeil is focusing on what he can control.
Building the muscles involved in absorbing impact.
Maintaining proper posture.
Keeping his composure after being hit.
And understanding that any fight can change in a second.
The light heavyweight division has consistently produced violent finishes, making defense just as important as offensive power.
Klingbeil Sends Carson Lee A Message
As the interview came to an end, Klingbeil delivered his strongest message of the conversation.
Lee had apparently been expected to participate in an interview setting but did not appear.
Klingbeil immediately used that absence as motivation.
“Where are you at, man?”
He questioned whether Lee was ready for the mental battle that comes before the actual match.
“You can’t even come to the battleground of the interview to have a little bit of intellectual discourse.”
Then the Kryptonian personality came out.
“I thought you were an Ivy League guy, but you’re not. You’re not ready for this.”
Klingbeil followed with a prediction for fight night.
“I’m gonna be victorious.”
And finally:
“The Kryptonian is gonna take you down.”
Alan Klingbeil Wants To Reassert Himself At Power Slap 23
Power Slap 23 represents more than another appearance for Alan Klingbeil.
It is an opportunity to compete in Texas.
An opportunity to remind the division why he remains ranked near the top.
And an opportunity to prove that newcomers still have to go through established veterans before reaching championship contention.
Carson Lee brings athleticism, boxing experience and plenty of intrigue into the matchup.
Klingbeil brings something different.
Eight Power Slap fights worth of experience.
Years of competing at light heavyweight.
And the belief that he should already be considered the true champion of the division.
Now he gets the chance to prove it in front of a Texas crowd.