Las Vegas, NV – Chelsea Dodson is ready for her moment on American soil. After making waves in Abu Dhabi at Power Slap’s international showcase, Dodson will step up to the table once again, this time against Italy’s Micol Di Segni at Power Slap XII on March 7th from the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
For Dodson, the opportunity to compete in front of a live U.S. crowd is an exciting milestone—but she admits there’s one thing missing.
“I was kind of sad that it was a pre-recording just because I wanted to go out there and have my kids come watch,” she shares. “But next time!”
Regardless, Dodson is fully focused on the matchup ahead, and with a new weight class, a new challenge, and a familiar face across the table, she’s determined to leave a lasting impression.
A Friendly Matchup – But No Holding Back
Unlike most matchups in Power Slap, there’s some history between Dodson and her opponent, Micol Di Segni.
“She actually used to train with my husband at Jackson Wink in Albuquerque,” Dodson reveals. “So I’ve actually met her before. She’s super nice and outgoing. I have nothing bad to say about her.”
The two even ran into each other at the UFC Apex training facility in the days leading up to the fight.
“I saw her just now at the Apex while I was weight training, and she was doing her slap training,” Dodson says. “There’s no beef or anything, so when I see her, I’ll tell her what’s up and talk to her.”
Despite the mutual respect, Dodson knows this is still a competition.
“Let’s go out there, have some fun, and put on a good show,” she says.
Competing at 125 lbs – Finding Her True Home in Power Slap
This fight marks a new weight class for Dodson, as she transitions down to 125 lbs after previously competing at 135 lbs.
“I gained weight for 135, and now I’m losing weight for 125,” she jokes. “So here we are!”
While the back-and-forth weight shifts might be challenging for some, Dodson believes 125 is where she belongs.
“My frame is so tiny. I feel like 125 is a great place for me to be physically,” she explains.
The Growth of the Women’s Division – A New Era for Power Slap
Power Slap has been making major moves to expand the women’s division, and Dodson is excited to see where things go.
“They’re trying to create weight classes like the men’s division and bring in more females,” she explains. “I think that’s so exciting because it means more names involved in slap fighting.”
With multiple women’s fights on the Power Slap XII card, including her own, Dodson believes the division is heading in the right direction.
“The women in Power Slap are some of the biggest stars in the sport,” she says. “We get a ton of engagement, and when we compete, the crowd gets loud. I think it’s only going to keep growing from here.”
However, finding the right female athletes for Power Slap isn’t as simple as just signing more names.
“You can’t just pick anybody for this sport,” she says. “They’re looking out for people’s health, their capabilities, weight cutting, all of that. There are a lot of factors that go into it.”
Losing the Coin Toss – Preparing to Take the First Strike
In this matchup, Dodson will receive the first slap, as Di Segni won the coin toss.
Does that make her nervous? Not at all.
“Honestly, I’m not even nervous about it,” she says. “When Paige [VanZant] slapped me, it actually made me hit harder because it spiked my adrenaline. I was like, ‘Okay, cool, I can eat that.’”
She’s expecting the same effect this time.
“It’s just going to spike my adrenaline and make me hit harder. So I’m taking it as a win-win situation.”
More Prepared, More Focused, More Dangerous
Competing in Abu Dhabi for her Power Slap debut was an unforgettable experience—but now that she’s done it once, Dodson feels even more ready for the challenge.
“I definitely feel more prepared this time around,” she says. “There will still be nerves, of course, but I know what to expect now.”
More than anything, Dodson wants to prove herself.
“I went to a draw with Paige VanZant, and now I’m in a new weight class. I just have to go out there and prove what I’m capable of doing.”
Final Message to Micol Di Segni
When asked if she had anything to say to her opponent, Dodson kept it simple.
“Hey girl, let’s go out there, have some fun, and slap the shit out of each other!”
💥 Power Slap XII – March 7th – Live from Fontainebleau, Las Vegas 💥
🔹 Can Chelsea Dodson make a statement at 125 lbs? Drop your predictions below! 🔹