March 7 | Fontainebleau, Las Vegas
If there’s one thing we know about Dorian Perez, it’s that he’s always ready for a fight. The most active heavyweight in Power Slap history is back once again, this time facing Pono Paul on March 7 at Power Slap XII.
“It feels fing amazing, bro,”* Perez said. “I like being the most active person on the roster. If they give me the opportunity, I’m saying yes. They could tell me to fight a fing rhinoceros, and I’d be like, ‘Where do I sign?’”*
After a long layoff from February to December 2023, Perez is back in back-to-back Vegas cards, looking to keep his momentum rolling.
“When you have a long hiatus, you have to rekindle that fire. But if you keep rolling, that fire never goes out. I’m already there, and I’m staying there.”
Pono Paul: A Glass Cannon?
Perez isn’t underestimating Pono Paul, but he believes the matchup favors him heavily.
“I think he’s a glass cannon type of guy—he hits really hard, but can he take a hit? Does he hit harder than Bell? Not even close. Bell hit me five times, and we went the distance. Pono’s only going to hit me three times max. This fight is decided by me. Do I knock him out? Maybe. If I keep it clean, I win for sure.”
While Pono Paul impressed in his last fight, Perez isn’t buying into the hype.
“They gave me this fight because they want to give me a highlight reel before they give me Bell again. And I’m all for it.”
Winning the Coin Toss – A Game Changer?
Perez won the coin toss, meaning he’ll strike first—a major advantage in a fight where he believes his power will be the difference.
“Going first is always big. If you’re going to knock somebody out, you want to go first. You get the first shot every round to mess them up. But I kind of wish they wouldn’t announce it beforehand. I like the drama of finding out on stage. That’s how it should be—like Russian roulette, you know?”
Perez even compared it to his first Power Slap fight, where he told Michael Bisping not to tell him who won the toss.
“I like the suspense, man. It makes the moment even bigger.”
A Personal Motivation: Standing Up for Cooper
Perez is known for his passion, but this time, he’s bringing extra motivation to the table.
“I didn’t like what Pono did to Cooper after their fight,” Perez said. “He was nice to him the whole lead-up, didn’t talk any s**. But then, as soon as he won, he stood over him and started calling him a b****. That s*** pissed me off.”*
Perez sees a difference between his own post-fight reactions and what Pono did.
“People might say, ‘Oh, but Dorian yelled in James’ face.’ Yeah, because James deserved it. That dude needed to be humbled. But Cooper? He didn’t deserve that. And neither did Frank Tank. When I knocked him out, I walked away. My reactions are always measured.”
Heel or Hero? This Time, He’s the Good Guy
With his Mexican heritage, brash personality, and electric fight style, Perez has always been seen as a heel—but not this time.
“I think I’m the hero in this one, which is weird,” Perez admitted. “I’m usually the bad guy. But this time, I’m doing it for Cooper. I’m coming in to humble Pono.”
Perez’s energy and unpredictability make him a fan favorite, whether he’s singing on stage or going to war.
“You gotta be a warrior in the f**ing garden, brother. You can’t just be a farmer when the raiders come to town.”*
Looking Beyond Pono Paul – How Much Gas is Left in the Tank?
With OG heavyweights like Ryan Phillips and Wolverine stepping away, many are wondering if Perez is nearing the end of his run. The 27-year-old fighter says that’s not even close to happening.
“I feel like I’m hitting my stride. Maybe I’m a late bloomer. Maybe I’m hitting my second puberty or something, but I feel different. I feel stronger. I feel better.”
After signing his second contract renewal, Perez says he’s more experienced, more motivated, and more prepared than ever.
“I’ve forgotten more about slap fighting than these new guys will ever know. I’ve got 10 more years in this sport. Ask me again when I’m 33.”
Final Message to Pono Paul
With fight night approaching, Perez had one final message for Pono Paul.
“Aloha, howdy, motherfer. I’m coming in there to split your fing wig in half. And then we can have a beer afterwards. On me.”
💥 Power Slap XII – March 7th – Live from Fontainebleau, Las Vegas 💥
🔹 Will Dorian Perez continue his rise back to title contention? Or will Pono Paul shock the world?
🔥 Drop your predictions below! 🔥