LAS VEGAS — The energy was electric Friday night at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as Power Slap 24 delivered a night of explosive knockouts, rising contenders and memorable performances.
With fans anticipating every strike, the event showcased the unpredictable nature of slap fighting, where a single clean connection can bring an abrupt end to a matchup.
Former welterweight champion Emanuel “No Love” Muniz stole the spotlight, delivering a devastating first-round knockout against Ayjay “Static” Hintz in the middleweight main event on Oct. 9.
The highly anticipated matchup featured two former champions competing in a scheduled five-round contest. Muniz, however, had no intention of letting the fight go the distance.
“I got a really pretty face, Frank,” Muniz joked during the post-fight press conference, referring to Power Slap CEO Frank Lamicella. “I can’t let it go five.”
Muniz credited his family, particularly his younger brother, for supporting him throughout his preparation and helping him stay focused ahead of the matchup.
His victory could also position him for another championship opportunity.
During the post-fight press conference, Lamicella praised Muniz’s performance and suggested that a return to the welterweight title picture could be a logical next step.
“I think that was a pretty big statement performance for Manny,” Lamicella said.
Knockouts and rising contenders highlight Power Slap 24
Muniz was not the only competitor to make a statement.
Darius “The Destroyer” Mata-Varona secured a first-round knockout victory over Nate “The Buffalo Soldier” Burnard in their heavyweight matchup.
The victory carried additional significance as Burnard’s departure from competition was among the topics discussed following the event.
Despite their competitive encounter, Mata-Varona expressed respect for his opponent while making it clear he remains focused on facing the division’s toughest competitors.
“I don’t turn down fights,” Mata-Varona said. “They offered me one name, I said yes. They offered me another name, I said yes.”
Mata-Varona, 26, also revealed that the matchup marked his 25th career slap-fighting appearance, highlighting his experience despite his relatively young age.
Meanwhile, Azael “El Perro” Rodriguez returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Waylon “Ice Cold” Frost.
Rodriguez won by scores of 30-26, 30-26 and 29-27, showcasing improved defense and composure following a difficult stretch in his career.
The eight-match event produced five first-round knockout or technical knockout finishes, including victories by Christapher “KO Chris” Thomas, William Shockey and Pono Pau.
From a new combat sport to a growing international promotion
Launched in 2022 by UFC CEO Dana White and his partners, Power Slap introduced a regulated format to competitive slap fighting, featuring established weight classes, rankings, championship titles and official judging criteria.
The promotion gained national exposure with the debut of its reality competition series, Power Slap: Road to the Title, in January 2023.
Unlike traditional boxing or mixed martial arts, competitors alternate delivering open-handed strikes while their opponents remain in a designated defensive position. Matches can end by knockout, technical knockout, decision or disqualification.
The format creates a distinctive live experience, with anticipation building as competitors prepare to deliver each strike.
At Power Slap 24, that anticipation translated into an energetic atmosphere, with emphatic finishes and emotional celebrations helping drive the excitement throughout the evening.
Frank Lamicella reveals plans for college campus expansion
Beyond the action, one of the biggest developments came during Lamicella’s post-fight press conference, where he discussed plans to take Power Slap to additional college campuses in 2027.
The announcement follows Power Slap 23, held Sept. 17 at United Supermarkets Arena on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Asked whether the promotion would consider hosting more events at universities, Lamicella confirmed that discussions are already underway.
“That’s already in the plan for next year,” Lamicella said. “We’re already talking to a dozen universities.”
Lamicella explained that the organization is targeting cities capable of generating an atmosphere similar to its Texas Tech event.
Oklahoma also emerged as a potential destination during the discussion, with Lamicella acknowledging interest in bringing an event to the state.
The comments signal an effort to expand Power Slap’s live-event presence beyond its established venues, although no additional university dates were formally announced.
Lamicella also discussed plans for more international events and continued roster development, including opportunities for competitors from Hawaii and the Pacific region.
What’s next for Power Slap?
As Power Slap continues to build its roster and expand into new markets, Lamicella emphasized that compelling matchups will remain a priority, regardless of whether a championship is at stake.
“You never want to just make a title fight for the sake of making a title fight,” Lamicella said.
He added that the promotion would continue evaluating potential matchups based on competitive appeal rather than automatically reserving main events for championship contests.
For Muniz, Friday’s knockout could open the door to another title opportunity. For Mata-Varona and Rodriguez, their victories provided momentum as they pursue higher-ranked opponents.
With five first-round finishes, established names delivering decisive performances and plans for additional events at university venues, Power Slap 24 offered a glimpse of the promotion’s ambitions both on and off the stage.
