Las Vegas, NV — Power Slap 16
When Dana White calls your fight “the best match in Power Slap history,” you know you’ve made an impact — win or lose. That’s exactly what Alan “Kryptonian” Klingbeil did in his epic five-round war against Ron “Wolverine” Bata for the light heavyweight championship at Power Slap 16.
Though Klingbeil didn’t walk away with the belt, he walked away with something equally powerful — the respect of the fans, the promotion, and the UFC boss himself.
“Dana came up and said, ‘You’re one of the toughest sons of bitches I’ve ever met — hands down the best Power Slap match I’ve ever seen.’” Klingbeil said. “As an athlete and fan of the sport, that’s such huge praise. I probably made him uncomfortable when I hugged him,” he laughed.
The First-Ever Sudden Death Championship Round
Power Slap 16 marked a historic moment — the first-ever sudden death round in a championship fight. Both fighters stood toe-to-toe after five rounds, forcing one final exchange to decide the champion.
“When they announced it, Ron and I looked at each other like, ‘Holy shit, we have to take another hit?’” Klingbeil said. “I thought I had it. I thought if you win the sudden death round, you win it all. But I guess that’s not how it works.”
Ultimately, one judge gave it to Klingbeil, one judge gave it to Wolverine, and the deciding vote went Wolverine’s way.
“I felt the weight of it,” Klingbeil admitted. “I’m ecstatic about the fight — but it hurts knowing how close it was.”
Going Toe-to-Toe with Wolverine
Few fighters have ever pushed Wolverine that far. Klingbeil absorbed massive shots but kept firing back, showing elite durability and precision.
“I felt mostly in control,” he said. “That last round, I knew I had to knock him out. I thought I got him — I could see his eyes rolling a bit, felt his power draining. I really thought I did enough to win.”
Even so, a few minor details might have made the difference.
“Herzog told me I was flinching,” Klingbeil explained. “I didn’t feel it. I thought I was just biting down. I even watched the playback — I wasn’t sure it was a flinch. But it’s a championship match. I apologized after, because small mistakes like that can cost you gold.”
Pushing Through the Pain
By the end of the fight, Klingbeil’s face told the story — bruised, swollen, but unbroken.
“It’s just a little swollen,” he said with a grin. “I had some minor nerve compression on stage. I started seeing those little lightning bolt things in my vision — like when you get a migraine. The last two rounds I couldn’t fully see out of my left eye.”
Even partially blinded, Kryptonian kept swinging.
“It threw me off,” he said. “Normally, I can see my whole range — my elbow, my follow-through. That can be the difference between a knockout and just rocking someone. But props to Ron. His hits were incredible.”
The People’s Champion — And The Likely Rematch
While Wolverine retained the title, fans online have already dubbed Klingbeil “the people’s champion.” Calls for a rematch have flooded social media, and Dana White himself hinted that a second meeting could happen soon.
“There’s good potential for a rematch,” Klingbeil said. “Maybe not right away — but hopefully that’s what happens.”
What’s Next for Kryptonian
Klingbeil’s performance at Power Slap 16 didn’t just cement his place among the elite — it elevated him into Power Slap legend status. Whether the rematch happens next or not, it’s clear the sport has a new superstar.
“If I’m gonna be out here, I’m gonna be a champion,” Klingbeil said. “No more small mistakes. Next time, I’m coming for that belt.”