LAS VEGAS -- Many of the viral moments from Power Slap's first six events aren't from the KOs that ensue following a crushing slap. Rather, the crowd seems to love the strikers who are able to eat a big slap equally as well. Given that, it stands to reason the crowd at UFC Apex on Friday should love Ryan Phillips.
Phillips, who calls himself "The King of Kings," will challenge Damien Dibbell in the main event of Power Slap 7 for the heavyweight title, which will stream free on Rumble. Dibbell has ambitions of becoming a lawyer, and also wants to box. He's saving the money he's making in his slapping career to help pay his way through law school.
Philips earned a shot at Dibbell's title at Power Slap 6 at the Durango Resort in February when he knocked out Nate Burnard in the second round. Significantly, he was able to eat two slaps from Burnard, a former college football player who had aspirations to make it into the NFL.
Getting hit in the face is nothing new for Phillips, who said he had more than his share of scrapes as a child growing up near Cleveland, Ohio. He said he remembers a dance recital he attended in where three tough guys picked his younger cousin.
"These three guys were attacking my little cousin, and I stood up for him," Phillips said. "Those three guys actually started punching me in the face. I took about 20 or so hits and I didn't go down. Unfortunately, those guys felt the brunt of that and it wasn't a good day for those guys, either."
A lot of us could spin tales of their athletic escapades, but usually, it's 95 percent fiction and it doesn't have any relevance to what they do as adults.
Getting in fights as a kid is kind of a coming of age thing for many young men. For as long as he can remember, Phillips came through those fights just fine.
"I have always been able to take a shot, and in Power Slap, that's a big deal," he said. "If you can't take a shot, you're not going to be a top contender."
He's one step from the promised land after the win over Burnard, but the challenge gets considerably more difficult on Friday. Dibell is already the heavyweight champion, held a super heavyweight belt in another organization and at only 22, probably has the most potential of any striker.
"Bell has a chance to be one of the greatest of all-time, and a legendary slap fighter," Power Slap president Frank Lamicella said.
Dibbel is an affable and intelligent young man how has put together a 5-1 slap fighting record. He's been shocked at the growth of the sport, and said he's frequently recognized when he is out and about in his hometown of Ruskin, Fla. He never wished for fame, and could do without the added attention, and it hasn't always been good.
He's stopped at the gym, when he's out eating, while walking through a parking lot.
"It's been a hard adjustment if I'm going completely honest," he said of the fame he's garnered. "It's hard being that social person who smiles all the time [while] getting hit up by random people. It's just hard being in that circumstance, but I've really been pushing myself forward over the past coupel of months to do more push to be more public. I'm trying to be more open to people and just put myself out there more and just improve myself in that aspect because that's just an important trait you need in life."
Dibbell has no such inhibitions when he's competing, though. He's made it to the top of the sport and everyone involved with Power Slap raves about his potential.
He's a 2-1 favorite, but Lamicella said Phillips' chin is legitimate. Both of them have the power, as evidence by their respective wins over Burnard in their most recent outings.
"Absolutely Phillips does [have the chin]," Lamicella said. "Guy has never been knocked down. I've only seen him get staggered once. Tough dude."