Lansing reflects on early setbacks and the road ahead
After a quiet stretch away from the Power Slap stage, super heavyweight prospect Zak Lansing sat down with Slap News to give an update on his progress, his mindset, and his plans for a comeback. Lansing has shown flashes of elite potential, but early career setbacks — including a disqualification loss to Roma Untanya and a razor-close split decision defeat to Juicy — have kept him from fully breaking through.
Still, Lansing insists he’s grown tremendously since stepping into the sport.
“I made a huge jump in technique”
Asked what it will take to unlock the next level of his game, Lansing didn’t hesitate.
“I’m just going to keep training. Keep working. I definitely made a huge jump in technique from my first match to my second.”
Despite losing a tight decision to Juicy, Lansing believes the experience was invaluable. And he had nothing but respect for the man who beat him.
“That dude felt like hitting a tree stump covered with skin,” he joked. “He’s special.”
Eyeing a matchup with Avian
When asked who he wants next, Lansing answered immediately: Avian.
“I’m heavy on Avian next. I think that’d be a good one. Haven’t seen him in a while.”
The matchup makes sense. Avian, currently ranked #9, has long been viewed as a raw but exciting prospect — a fighter who came into Power Slap with explosive defensive reactions and a big personality.
Lansing believes the stylistic matchup favors him.
“Being taller in this sport isn’t always a good thing. I’ve seen Avian hit the floor a couple of times. I’ve never been moved at this point. I think it’d be a good matchup for me.”
The super heavyweight division is wide open
Lansing agrees with what many fans and analysts have noticed: the super heavyweight division is quietly one of the most intriguing in Power Slap. With new athletes emerging, former standouts returning, and rankings shifting rapidly, a strong win now could propel Lansing into real contention.
Bulking up strategically for power and performance
Right now, Lansing is focused on adding size — but the right kind of size.
“I want to be in the 400s, like the low 400s. I’m trying to put on good weight and stay athletic.”
He confirmed he’s currently hovering around 395 lbs, not far from his goal, but emphasized that simply bulking for bulk’s sake isn’t the plan.
“I can put on shitty weight — but what am I going to do with shitty weight? It won’t help me.”
His training focuses heavily on Olympic weightlifting, rotational power, and explosive movements from a dead stop.
“Olympic lifting is the best training for any sport,” he said. “If you want to get better at anything athletic, it helps.”
Lansing alternates between strongman work, Olympic lifts, and powerlifting depending on the year — simply because he loves all of it.
Lansing’s message to Power Slap matchmakers
Before wrapping up, he delivered a clear message to Frank, Justin, and the matchmakers:
“I’ve proven my toughness every time. I cleaned up my technique. Put me in front of people — let me do this again. My last match was one of the best days of my life. I just want to keep slapping. Ring my bell, and I’ll keep going.”
Calling out Avian directly
When asked to cut a WWE-style callout, Lansing didn’t hold back.
“Let’s get you off the bench. Let’s get you in the hot seat. I haven’t seen you in a while. When I was getting into the sport, I was watching you — and I want you. Let’s get this going. We’re young. Let’s not waste our youth waiting.”
A clean, respectful, but fiery challenge.
Life outside Power Slap
Away from training, Lansing stays grounded by the simple things — including being a die-hard Baltimore Ravens fan.
The early part of the NFL season was rough, but with the Ravens heating up, Lansing’s mood has lifted.
“I live and die by what Lamar Jackson does. Every time we lose, people hit me up talking smack about it.”
With Baltimore set to face Cincinnati on Thanksgiving night, Lansing plans to enjoy the game while waiting for the phone call that brings him back to the Power Slap stage.
What’s next for Zak Lansing?
Whether he gets his wish and faces Avian or returns against another top super heavyweight, one thing is clear: Zak Lansing is hungry, motivated, and ready to prove he belongs among the division’s elite.