Las Vegas, NV — The super heavyweight division has a new rising threat, and his name is Cedrice “LaFlare” Paillant. In his Power Slap debut, Paillant scored an emphatic knockout over James Reddy on the tape card of Power Slap 15, officially stamping his name among the top contenders in the sport.
A Memorable Debut Experience
For Paillant, the trip to Las Vegas was more than just a fight—it was a milestone. “It was a great experience,” he said. “Being in Vegas, staying in a nice hotel, seeing the city… it was amazing.”
The experience stood in stark contrast to his first Power Slap training camp just weeks earlier. “That camp hotel wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t Circa,” he laughed. “Things have definitely moved fast for me, and it’s a blessing.”
Power and Precision in the Super Heavyweights
Facing fellow camp attendee James Reddy, Paillant entered the match with full confidence. “I went in with the mindset that he’d have to kill me to stop me,” he said. “I didn’t think he had much for me, but he’s a great competitor. I’m sure he worked hard too.”
The first round saw both men exchange massive strikes. When asked about taking a slap from Reddy, Paillant compared it to his football background. “It’s like getting blindsided by a middle linebacker coming through the A-gap,” he explained. “There’s nothing that replicates getting slapped by someone unprotected. It’s different.”
Paillant’s athleticism and 83-inch wingspan proved critical. “I generate a lot of speed with my reach,” he said. “It’s more speed than power, but it helps me land hard. That was a big part of why my strike connected so clean.”
Breaking Down the Knockout
In the second round, Paillant made adjustments from an early clubbing call and landed a picture-perfect shot that ended the bout. “That wasn’t even my strongest strike,” he said. “I leaned back too much and didn’t shift my weight, but it still landed flush. Watching the tape, I know I can hit even harder next time.”
It was a strike that sent a message to the rest of the division — the new generation of super heavyweights isn’t just big, they’re explosive.
Looking Ahead: Rest, Recovery, and Rankings
Despite the quick finish, Paillant isn’t rushing back into the cage. “I’ll probably compete again in three or four months,” he said. “I’ve had about four concussions in my life from football. I want to give my brain a chance to recover before I jump back in.”
Ranked #7 in the world after his debut, Paillant sits ahead of fellow Power Slap 15 super heavyweights Zak Lansing (#9) and James Reddy (#10). But he’s not calling anyone out. “I’m not ducking anything,” he said. “Whoever they throw at me, I’ll be ready.”
That said, he’s not blind to the names above him. When asked about potential matchups with Juicy Finau or Danie Van Heerden, Paillant didn’t hesitate. “Juicy’s a big dude—it’d be a good fight,” he smiled. “And if they want me to take out both the mentee and the mentor, set it up. I’m there.”
A Promising Future
Cedrice “LaFlare” Paillant is part of a new breed redefining the super heavyweight division—athletic, composed, and dangerously powerful. With his poise, knockout ability, and confidence, it’s only a matter of time before LaFlare climbs even higher in the rankings.