March 7 | Fontainebleau, Las Vegas
Pono Pau’s highly anticipated battle with Dorian Perez at Power Slap XII ended in a split decision loss, but the Hawaiian Assassin put on a gritty and technical performance against the top-ranked heavyweight. Now, a few days removed from the fight, Pau is reflecting on the experience, evaluating the sport’s evolution, and questioning whether he’ll continue competing.
“I’m good, Cor. Everything’s solid,” Pau said. “Not that much damage was taken—just a little bit around the eye. Hands, arms, shoulders, everything else is good. Just taking in the loss, refocusing, and making sure we continue training and checking off the boxes.”
Looking Back – Did Anything Surprise Pau About Dorian Perez?
Facing the #1-ranked heavyweight in the world, Pau knew he had a challenge in front of him. While Perez’s durability and power were expected, one thing that stood out was his ability to brace for impact using a last-second breath technique.
“Dorian really knows how to absorb strikes. He gasps for air right before impact, and that allows him to brace in a way that helps him eat the shots a little better. It’s something I picked up on watching film, and I saw it in real time up there,” Pau explained.
Perez won the coin toss and struck first, immediately testing Pau’s durability.
“His first strike was solid, but I was coherent and locked in. The stumble is what cost me the first round. It wasn’t a knockout, but that little movement gave the judges a reason to score it against me,” Pau said.
Breaking Down the Fight – The High Strike & Questionable Calls
Throughout the fight, Pau noticed key moments where he felt officiating played a role in the outcome.
“I’ll give Dorian his credit—he did what he had to do. But there were a few things that I need to speak on,” Pau said.
One of those moments was the third-round strike that landed directly on Pau’s eye.
“His thumb went straight into my eye, and I turned around, and the imprint was there,” he recalled. “At that moment, I knew I couldn’t see clearly. I told the doctor, ‘Yeah, I can still see, but it’s blurry. I just wanted you to check it out.’”
Despite the clear contact to the eye, the strike was ruled legal, and the match continued.
“Chris Tognoni (the referee) called it a fair blow. And at that moment, I knew—if they’re not calling that, they’re not calling anything,” Pau said.
Did Pau Feel Slower Than Usual?
During the fight breakdown, Corey asked Pau if he felt slower than usual, noticing a more methodical, almost lethargic pace to his strikes.
“No, not really,” Pau explained. “From the walkout to the fight itself, I wanted to bring in my faith and represent what I always represent—God. That energy was very mellow. It almost felt like we were in church. That calmness carried into the match.”
However, Pau admits that after the controversial eye strike, he felt deflated.
“That last slap I threw, I just gave up. I knew already—I lost all confidence in that moment. If they’re not calling flinches, if they’re not calling clubs, then this match isn’t mine,” Pau said.
Ironically, the round where Pau felt least confident was the one the judges scored in his favor.
The Official Scorecards – Split Decision Loss
The final scorecards reflected a razor-close split decision:
✅ Judge 1: 29-28 Dorian Perez
✅ Judge 2: 29-28 Dorian Perez
✅ Judge 3: 29-28 Pono Pau
🔹 Round 1: All three judges scored it for Perez.
🔹 Round 2: Two judges scored it for Perez, one for Pau.
🔹 Round 3: All three judges scored it for Pau.
“Hearing that I won the final round was funny to me, because that’s when I felt like I had already lost,” Pau said.
Did Pau Get a Fair Shake, or Was It a Robbery?
While Pau isn’t making excuses, he does believe the officiating needs improvement.
“I wouldn’t say I got robbed—that takes away from Dorian’s performance. He did his job. But if you’re asking whether there were questionable calls? Absolutely,” Pau stated.
He pointed out that he wasn’t the only fighter who experienced questionable officiating that night.
“Michael (Mikael-Michelle Brown) got clubbed in the eye by Paige VanZant—no call. Hunter (Campbell) got clubbed by Angel (Alvarado)—no call. It’s a trend,” he said.
Pau also believes the sport’s officiating is being influenced by entertainment factors.
“The officials have already told me—they don’t want to call too many fouls because they need the matches to last longer. They need a full show,” Pau explained. “And I get it. But at some point, it’s going to hurt the sport.”
Future of Power Slap – What Needs to Change?
Pau is concerned about the long-term sustainability of the sport if officiating continues to allow poor technique, excessive clubbing, and inconsistent enforcement of the rules.
“People are going to start abusing these loopholes—lifting heels, pivoting, preloading, clubbing—and it’s only going to get worse unless the rules are strictly enforced,” he said.
His main priority is the safety of strikers.
“I don’t care about Power Slap’s views or likes—I care about the strikers. These guys are putting their chins on the line. The rules need to be cleaned up now, before it’s too late,” Pau emphasized.
Is This Pono Pau’s Last Fight?
In a surprising revelation, Pau admitted that he’s questioning his future in Power Slap.
“I haven’t talked to Erica (Nardini) or Frank (Lamicella) yet, but I will soon. Right now, I’m really thinking—this might be my last time,” he said.
Pau says his love for the sport and for the people in it has started to take a toll on him.
“I’ve put so much love into this sport and into these people, but when you put your heart into something and you keep getting burned, it changes you. And I feel that now,” he admitted.
However, he hasn’t made a final decision yet.
“I just need to take some time, talk to the right people, and figure out what’s next,” he said.
Final Thoughts – What’s Next for the Hawaiian Assassin?
Pono Pau may have lost the match, but he remains one of the most respected and influential figures in the sport.
Now, the question is—will we see him back in Power Slap, or was this his final battle?
“I’ve always done things my way. Whatever happens next, I’ll make sure it’s what’s best for me,” he said.
🔥 Do you think Pono Pau should continue in Power Slap? Who should he fight next if he stays? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🔥