Power Slap’s return to the UAE lived up to expectations as $VET Power Slap 16: Wolverine vs Klingbeil Presented by Monster Energy delivered a thrilling night of action at Space42 Arena, part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week.
In a historic main event, Wolverine successfully defended his light heavyweight title against Alan “The Kryptonian” Klingbeil in the first-ever sudden-death round in Power Slap history. Wolverine earned a hard-fought victory by split decision (57–56 Klingbeil, 57–56 Wolverine, 57–56 Wolverine), cementing his reign atop the division in what UFC President Dana White hailed as “the best match in Power Slap history.”
The bout showcased both competitors’ precision, power, and endurance, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final strike.
In the co-main event, Makini “Big Mak” Manu (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) secured a unanimous decision win over Vasilii “Dumpling” Kamotskii after a hard-fought super-heavyweight showdown. The intense three-round contest tested both fighters’ toughness and composure, drawing cheers from the energetic Abu Dhabi crowd.
Power Slap CEO Frank Lamicella praised the landmark event, saying, “I agree with Dana – the main event between Wolverine and Klingbeil was probably the best match we’ve ever had in Power Slap. What made it so special is that it became the first title fight to go into a sudden-victory round. You could feel the energy in the arena; the crowd absolutely loved it. It proved that having that rule in place was the right call to determine a true champion.”
Lamicella also highlighted the growing international diversity of Power Slap athletes. “We had fighters from eight countries tonight, including India, which was represented for the first time. There’s tremendous interest in this region, especially from local talent. One of the reasons we bring Power Slap events to the Middle East is to discover new fighters. It’s much easier to bring in international athletes here, and with every event, we’re seeing more countries represented on the card.”
Following his win, Wolverine reflected on the atmosphere and recognition: “I really enjoyed the energy out there. The crowd was on their feet and loud the entire time. To hear Dana say it was the best Power Slap match ever, and to hear that directly from him, was amazing.”
Meanwhile, Makini “Big Mak” Manu expressed pride in his victory despite the physical toll. “I feel great—though my wrist hurts,” he said with a smile. “We had a very hard hit, and I’m just extremely blessed to have had this opportunity. I feel like this was the real super-heavyweight title fight.”
With Power Slap 16 now in the books, attention turns to UFC 321: Aspinall vs Gane, taking place tonight at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, continuing an unforgettable week of combat sports in Abu Dhabi, the region’s undisputed capital of global sports.
