Power Slap Camp 4 brings the biggest group yet
Power Slap Camp’s fourth edition wrapped up in December, and according to reigning 155-pound champion Robert Trujillo, it may have been the most impressive group of athletes yet.
Despite being organized on short notice, the camp featured a larger turnout than expected, including several returning athletes from earlier combines. Trujillo believes that return appearances may signal Power Slap’s commitment to developing raw talent over time rather than rushing athletes straight to competition.
“There was lots of good talent,” Trujillo said. “I really like the route they’re taking, bringing in different people and training them up.”
Expanding the talent pool beyond wrestling
While Power Slap has leaned heavily into recruiting wrestlers, Trujillo believes the sport could benefit from a broader athletic base.
The combine included wrestlers, rugby players, and eight women, but Trujillo emphasized that MMA fighters could add another layer to the sport’s evolution.
“They’ve been doing the wrestling crowd a lot, which I think is great,” he explained. “But I think bringing in more MMA fighters would look good for the sport.”
Trujillo also expressed interest in personally helping recruit new athletes from different backgrounds.
A major influx of 155-pound athletes
One of the biggest takeaways from Camp 4 was the heavy presence of 155-pound competitors — a welcome sight for Trujillo, who has been vocal about wanting movement in the division.
“It was 155-heavy this time,” he said. “Usually you see heavyweights and super heavyweights, but these guys really impressed me.”
Trujillo believes the division is overdue for change and didn’t hold back when discussing the current rankings.
“Our rankings definitely need some shaking up,” he added. “There are some dudes ranked that I don’t even feel should be ranked.”
Could Anthony Blackburn move down to 155?
Trujillo was also asked about former welterweight champion Anthony ‘Babyface’ Blackburn and whether a move down to 155 could be realistic.
While the idea is intriguing, Trujillo acknowledged the harsh reality of weight cutting — especially for athletes who haven’t done it before.
“A lot of guys say they want to come down,” he said. “But once they realize how bad real weight cutting is, it changes things.”
He pointed to Vince Tracy as an example of how difficult the cut can be, noting that a potential matchup between them fell apart due to weight issues.
Vince Tracy as a potential challenger
Despite that, Trujillo didn’t shy away from the idea of facing Vince Tracy if the opportunity arises.
“I coached Vince Tracy in season three,” Trujillo said. “He’s a solid competitor and would give me a good match.”
Still, Trujillo remains confident in his dominance at 155 and made it clear that he doesn’t see his reign ending anytime soon.
“I feel like I am the most dominant champion in Power Slap,” he said. “I don’t really see myself losing this belt for a long time.”
Pound-for-pound debate with Damian DeBell
When asked to compare himself to fellow champion Damian DeBell, Trujillo gave a respectful but confident breakdown.
“Damian has more knowledge because he’s been doing it longer,” he said. “But pound-for-pound, I have more raw power and a better chin.”
According to Trujillo, the true debate between the two champions won’t be settled by opinions — only by time.
“It really comes down to who loses their belt first.”
Coaching alongside Brandon Bordeaux
Closing out the interview, Trujillo reflected on coaching alongside Brandon Bordeaux during the camp.
Rather than seeing it as a competition, Trujillo described their styles as complementary.
“He’s great at explaining things,” Trujillo said. “I’m better one-on-one, making connections and helping people out.”
The result, he says, is a strong coaching dynamic that benefits athletes across the board.
What’s next for the 155-pound champion?
With fresh talent entering the division and potential challengers lining up, Robert Trujillo remains firmly planted at the top — confident, composed, and ready for whoever steps up next.
As the 155-pound division continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the champion isn’t going anywhere quietly.