By Slap News | April 2025
New to Power Slap but not new to combat sports, Dustin Bodden is coming off the first-ever Power Slap Combine Training Camp at the UFC Apex. He’s got the look, the background, and now — maybe — the numbers to back it all up.
“I Love All Aspects of Combat”
Originally from the small island of Utila in the Bay Islands of Honduras, Bodden moved to New Orleans at age 12 — and it’s clear that Southern grit still runs through him.
“I love all aspects of combat,” he told Slap News. “This was just another pool to dip my toe in and try out. I love competition — and this was an opportunity I wanted to run with.”
He’s already got a taste of the fight world, having competed in both MMA and influencer boxing under the USC Boxing banner. But now, Bodden’s eyes are locked on Power Slap’s middleweight or light heavyweight divisions, depending on where the weight settles.
From the Combine to the Cube
The Combine itself was designed to evaluate athletic potential — including striking power, neck and shoulder strength, and mobility — with metrics tracked by the UFC Performance Institute.
“It was a full-on Combine. They ran us through strength, force generation, all sorts of measurements to get metrics for the PI,” Bodden said. “I got to meet Erica, the whole PI staff, and work with guys like Rob, Anthony, and Wolverine. It was a real learning experience.”
And yes — he hit the Power Cube.
“I think I got 89… something,” he said with a laugh. “Might’ve been 8.9 — I didn’t have my glasses on! But we’ll get the full results soon.”
“The Coaches Were Incredible”
Meeting top-level athletes like Wolverine, Anthony Blackburn, and Rob Trujillo could be intimidating for a newcomer — but not for Dustin.
“They were some of the nicest guys — but they can slap the hell out of you too,” he joked. “I’m a little ADHD, so I probably asked the same question three times. But every single time, they answered with patience and detail. They want to make you better.”
What You Didn’t Know About Bodden
Outside the cage — and off the slap stage — Dustin’s life is full of side hustles:
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He’s the co-host of a food vlog/podcast, launching April 7th with his fiancée.
“She’s the foodie. I’m just the eater,” he said. “She runs the show — I’m just there for the banter.”
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He’s also behind Warrior Mind Management, a startup geared at helping new fighters with branding, sponsorships, and nutrition.
“When I started, I didn’t know what to do,” Bodden said. “So now that I’ve got my foot in the door, I want to help other guys build their brand and get started the right way.”
The Road Ahead
While Dustin doesn’t yet have a contract, his showing at the Combine — combined with his MMA experience and undeniable charisma — make him a solid prospect for future Power Slap events.
“I didn’t know how serious it all was until I got here,” he said. “But after seeing the PI, learning from the best, and feeling the structure — yeah, I want to do this.”
🔥 Keep your eye on Dustin Bodden. Whether it’s 185 or 205, slap fans might be seeing this Louisiana powerhouse on stage soon.