At Power Slap 17, Dorian “DTP” Perez once again proved why he’s one of the most entertaining and durable athletes in the sport — defeating Zakir by unanimous decision in a three-round war that left both men marked up but Perez standing tall.
Battle-tested and still healing strong
Just a week after the match, Perez joined Slap News to talk about recovery and how he’s feeling. “I feel good,” he said. “I got my little Sharingan for all you anime fans out there. Looked like one of the zombies from 28 Days Later — but I feel good.”
Perez, known for his toughness, explained this wasn’t the first time he’s battled facial swelling. “I’ve had a hematoma three times,” he said. “Once during prelims when John Davis smacked me, then against Dwayne Crespo when he broke my orbital bone. This time was just really localized — he wasn’t hitting my chin, he was hitting me right in the front of my face.”
Breaking down Zakir’s power
When asked how Zakir’s strength compared to previous opponents, Perez didn’t hesitate to analyze it like a veteran. “It was about what I expected,” he said. “He’s strong, but not the most accurate. I could tell right away he wasn’t really a boxer — more like an MMA-style striker. So I just focused on clean, technical hits.”
Perez even gave his own power rankings. “Zakir hits harder than Pono,” he said. “But guys like Damien DeBell are faster — that makes your brain jump more. Bell’s speed and accuracy make his strikes more dangerous, even if Zakir’s stronger.”
The turning point in the match
Round two was where Perez started to take over. “After I took the first slap, I knew I was good,” he said. “Guys like Zakir try to nuke you on the first hit, but if you survive that, you’re fine. My round one strike slipped off his face a bit — he’s naturally a little oily — so I focused on accuracy and follow-through in rounds two and three.”
That adjustment paid off. Perez visibly rocked Zakir in round two, causing a stumble that showed the fight’s momentum had shifted.
Confidence before the decision
Despite the close fight, Perez said he was sure he’d done enough to win. “Normally I’m nervous before they raise hands, but this time I knew,” he explained. “Before they even called it, I raised my hand. I didn’t take a step back unless it was deliberate, and you could see it — he was stumbling and spinning.”
Trash talk and energy control
Known for his larger-than-life personality, Perez didn’t hold back in the cage — even if Zakir didn’t understand all of it. “I didn’t stop talking the whole time,” Perez laughed. “I just tried not to cuss. But I was up there saying, ‘Look at those pants!’ It’s about taking control. Even if he didn’t understand English, energy and body language do the talking.”
Perez even leaned into the cultural mix of the event. “There were so many different hats over there,” he joked. “I wore everyone’s — cowboy hats, turbans, even Zakir’s hat. I love all the hats.”
The callout: Damien DeBell
As for what’s next, Perez didn’t hesitate. “There’s only one fight to make — Dorian Perez vs. Damien DeBell 2,” he said. “That’s why I called him out right after. But if they want me to run through the whole top 10, I’ll do that too. Let everyone know who the real champion is.”
Dorian “DTP” Perez continues to be one of Power Slap’s biggest personalities — part technician, part entertainer, and all fighter. With his sights set on redemption and another big name, one thing’s certain: the DTP show isn’t slowing down anytime soon.