Russel “Kainoa” Rivero (4) vs. Bear Bennett: (Coin Toss Winner: Rivero)
Prediction: Bennett def Rivero
Russel is coming off a loss at Power Slap 2 in the light heavyweight championship fight against Ayjay Hintz. To absolutely nobody’s surprise, he was called for a “stepping” foul which resulted in a DQ due to Hintz being TKOed.
Russell’s inability to go a complete match without a foul has troubled him in his four matches so far in Power Slap. His record stands a (1-3) with his only win (TKO) coming against Isaih Quinones in Power Slap 1, which you could argue he was trailing going into Round 3 because of fouls. Unless he has made significant improvements from May until now, I expect to see the same results from Rivero. That being said, he does have the power to need just one clean shot to take down his opponent and Rivero will strike first.
His opponent, Bear Bennett will be making his first appearance on the PS stage. He was an alternate at PS2 so we’ll finally get to see what Bennett has to offer. From what I’ve read, Bennett seems to be a no-nonsense guy who looks like he doesn’t take shit from anyone. Size comparison, I think Bennett could stack up to Rivero who both look like they live in the gym.
With that all being said, even with the unknown of Bennett’s striking ability and chin, I’m still going to take Bennett in this one. Rivero’s inconsistency to have a clean match is too much to lay any money down.
Andrew “Casper” Fields (8) vs. Jewel “Kidd Diamond” Scott (9): (Coin Toss Winner: Fields)
Prediction: Scott def Fields
Disclaimer: Jewel is my boxing trainer in New Orleans so I will have rooting interest in this match.
We’ll start with Fields first in this one who’s coming off his first win in Power Slap with a TKO over Jimmy Jumps Santamaria at PS2. Fields will be making his third appearance on the PS stage so his technique and experience should be defined.
Fields chin wasn’t tested in his match against Santamaria because he was able to strike first and get the early one-and-done TKO. But his match against Chris Debow at PS1, he was stunned by Debow’s slaps. Debow was also a much shorter opponent compared to his second match opponent Santamaria who is 5’10, so Fields (6’0) will be at a height disadvantage against Scott (5’6) who will be closer to Debow’s height, if not shorter.
Jewel (2-2 record) took off PS2 after his loss to Robert Trujillo at 155lbs (lightweight). Now he’s coming back up to 170lb (welterweight) where he’s (2-1) in the division. Scott will be Fields’ first opponent with a MMA/fighting background so his power and chin should be strongest yet. Trujillo, who also has an MMA background, has been the only striker to knock down Scott. So that’s just something to consider in this match. Jewel’s two wins in Power Slap have come against Anthony Green (TKO) and Andrew Provost (broken hand) so he’s looking to add a legit win to his resume since his qualifying match in March 2022.
Jewell will also be featuring a new striking technique in this match after imitating a Mike Tyson knockout style in his previous matches. If Fields isn’t able to TKO Jewel in the 1st round, I think Scott eventually ends the match in the 1st or 2nd round by TKO.
Azael “El Perro” Rodriguez (2) vs. Amir “The Comebackk Kidd” Nuriddeen (4): (Coin Toss Winner: Nuriddeen)
Prediction: Rodriguez def Nuriddeen
Both of these strikers were last seen in the preliminary matches before the live Power Slap 2 event. Both are coming off victories so a win for either of them would set them up for a possible title match with middleweight champion John Davis.
We’ll start with Nuriddeen who had one of the best TKOs in the last event against Joseph Landman. Dana White himself posted video of it on his own social media. He’s also known for being on the wrong end of a slap against Vern Cathey during Season 1 of Road to the Title. Dana White called it the best slap of the series.
Amir will have his hands full against Azael who touts an impressive record (4-1). Rodriguez is coming off a decision victory against Jessie Nutting. Outside of his match against Reece Archer, Azael hasn’t shown TKO power but has been able to take a slap against all of his opponents not named John Davis. His only loss being a brutal knockout from Davis in PS1. Nutting looked stunned from Azael’s strikes in the last event and Nutting has yet to be TKOed in his career so far. Rodriguez looks to have added some power since his match vs Davis in Power Slap 1.
I can see this match going two ways. It all depends on each strikers chin. Is Nuriddeen’s power legit and will his chin hold up if Azael returns the favor? I see Rodriguez winning by decision in this one but an 2nd round TKO is always possible.
Emanuel “No Love” Muniz (2) vs. Cole “Full Send” Young (4): (Coin Toss Winner: Young)
Prediction: Young def Muniz
Both of these strikers led off Power Slap 2 with exciting matches, although neither were able to TKO their opponents. Muniz was able to win his match against Chris Debow by decision. He also dropped from the middleweight division (185lbs) to welterweight (170lbs) in the last event and seems to feel more comfortable against smaller opponents.
His opponent Cole Young was highly touted in his last event in his match against Anthony Blackburn. Oddly, their match ended in the first draw in Power Slap history after a controversial stepping foul on Young in the final round of the match.
Now both strikers will face off for an opportunity for a contender shot in the next event. Muniz has never been knocked down even in the middleweight division but does sport two losses by decision from the top two contenders in that division (Azael Rodriguez and Wesley Drain). Young has real power as we’ve seen in his last two matches. He TKOed Jay Rivera in the 1st round and broke Blackburn’s orbital bone as a result of their draw in PS2.
I’m going to stay on the Cole Young bandwagon here. While Muniz has been able to take a slap throughout his time in Power Slap, if both strikers keep it clean Young should do enough damage to win by decision. I also think Young has more knockout power between the two and if the match ends early, Young should be the one still on his feet.
Dorian “Disturbing the Peace” Perez (1) vs Duane “Iron Giant” Crespo (2): (Coin Toss Winner: Crespo)
Prediction: Crespo def Perez
This match features Dorian Perez (4-0), who’s one of two fighters that are undefeated with at least four matches under their belt in Power Slap (Chris Thomas being the other striker). Perez is coming off wins against Frank Holland and Darius The Destoryer in the past two live events. Meanwhile, Duane Crespo (3-1) responded with a TKO at PS2 with a win over Cody Cox.
This should be one of the more exciting matches of the night with possibility of this match going all three rounds. Duane has claimed nobody is going to beat him if a match goes to the judges and it may just happen as Dorian Perez has yet to be knocked on his feet. Crespo has taken his workout and technique seriously hosting a “slap camp” with strikers Chris Debow, Austin Turpin and heavyweight champion Damien Dibbell this past month.
It’s hard to go against someone who’s undefeated here, but I like Crespo in this match. This is going to be Perez’s toughest match yet and I think a Crespo victory leads to a rematch from Power Slap 1 between him and Dibbell.
Alan “The Kryptonian” Klingbeil (2) vs. Austin “Turp Daddy Slim” Turpin: (Coin Toss Winner: Klingbeil)
Prediction: Klingbeil def Turpin
Another match that features undefeated strikers both making their third Power Slap appearance. Alan Klingbeil is coming off an upset victory over Vern Cathay while his opponent Austin Turpin had no problem with an early TKO over Bryan Dozier.
Both strikers come from the “new crop” of Power Slap and have been the most successful of the newer strikers to the league. One of them will take a loss on July 7th and it’s likely to come from a knockout.
Austin Turpin has been the most vocal shit talker of any striker in the league and his opponent Alan Klingbeil couldn’t be more opposite. Klingbeil has a MMA/kickboxing background and you could tell in his match with Vern Cathay. Alan has been the only striker to remain upright after a Cathay strike and was able to drop him twice before the eventual TKO.
I think the coin toss plays a factor in this match as Klingbeil will strike first. Turpin’s chin wasn’t tested in PS2 and his opponent Cody Cox in PS1 which didn’t display the knockout power. This will also be Turpin’s first “live” event as his previous two matches were recorded. Winner of this one could be receiving that bonus performance from Dana when it’s all over.
Ayjay “Static” Hintz (C) vs. Ron Bata “Wolverine” (1): (Coin Toss Winner: Hintz)
Prediction: Bata def Hintz
Our main event of the night features the light heavyweight champion Ayjay Hintz taking on a slimmer Ron Bata who’s moving down in weight class from heavyweight (205lb) to light heavyweight (185lb). This will be Wolverine’s third straight main event match while Ayjay has stay undefeated during live event matches.
Wolverine lost his heavyweight belt in his most recent match to Damien Dibbell in what arguably was his first time being knocked down in slap fighting. His opponent Ayjay Hintz was also rocked and knocked down in his PS2 match by Russel Rivero, but due to a stepping foul Hintz was declared the winner by DQ.
This match will come down to whose chin do I trust the most? I think Dibbell is arguably the alpha dog in the Power Slap League right now and his power was shown by his knockdown of Wolverine. I just don’t think Ayjay has that same kind of power Dibbell possesses and he may have a hard time getting the TKO on Wolverine.
On the other hand, we’ve seen Ayjay getting knocked down in his last two live events but still come out with the victory. Wolverine has shown he can go five rounds in each of his last two title matches. I don’t think Ayjay’s chin can hold up for five rounds which is why I’m leaning Ron Bata with the TKO.
Written By Tim Zimmer