Polynesian passion fueling PowerSlap vibe
Layne "Koa" Viernes, better known as “Da Crazy Hawaiian,” puts his super heavyweight belt on the line Friday against Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden.
PHOTO: Slap News
By W.G. RAMIREZ
LAS VEGAS — There's a certain energy that electrified UFC's headquarters for the first five PowerSlap live events. It was a vibrancy that carried over to PowerSlap 6 at Durango Station and PowerSlap 7 back at the UFC Apex.
It’s a vibe that’s ignited with each slap as the faces of strikers wince, some with blades of hair from their beards sliced into the air upon impact.
The events have been littered with celebrities, professional athletes, national media members, and widely followed social media influencers who can't get enough of one person slapping another.
Incredibly, that energy has grown exponentially since the inclusion of Layne "Koa" Viernes, a 33-year-old Hawaiian who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs an astounding 385 pounds and who is set to headline Friday night’s PowerSlap 8 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Viernes (14-1, 12 KOs) is putting his super heavyweight belt on the line Friday against Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden (2-1, 2 KOs).
Affectionately known as "Da Crazy Hawaiian," Viernes, the reigning super heavyweight champion, enters the arena to a walk-up song donning the same name as his moniker, and his mere presence accompanying his thumping theme song drives the intensity and decibel levels through the roof.
"The Hawaiians are definitely good at getting behind their people and making statements and being loud and that's what it's all about; the Hawaiians excite me," said No. 1 light heavyweight contender Austin "Turp Daddy Slim" Turpin, widely recognized as one of the most excitable and energetic strikers in the league.
Now the face of PowerSlap heading into the third public event, Viernes leads a brash contingent of Polynesian strikers who've collectively fueled much of the excitement for each card.
"The energy that they bring for their competitors and who they're rooting for in PowerSlap is the same energy that I think we all deserve to get," middleweight champion John "The Machine" Davis said. "The camaraderie that comes through to those folks is truly amazing. And that's what I hope ... transfers over to everybody else for the rest of us in the future."
For some opponents, it can be a make-or-break moment.
"It will definitely boost you up there, and maybe it'll break you if your opponent is from (Hawaii)," No. 1 middleweight contender Azael "El Perro" Rodriguez said. "Definitely is something that is great to see for the sport. They back each other up so great. And I feel like it's just a great way to provide that little extra pump, even if the person doesn't need it.
"I just imagine myself having a Mexican crowd out there. And it would be great, you don't want to let them down if they're out there cheering you on like that."
Viernes said while many of the strikers, like Turpin, can engage the crowd during their walk-up to the podium, there's something different when it comes to his "Polynesian Ohana."
"We just bring a different energy," Viernes said. "If you got some Polynesians up there, you'll see the best of us come out. And just like warriors, just trying to come out in numbers and the love and support is amazing. It's an honor to be here and just to carry Hawaii on my back."
Viernes got emotional after being crowned the inaugural super heavyweight champion at PowerSlap 5, where he delivered a statement second-round knockout over fellow-Polynesian Kalani Vakameilalo in a monumental bout.
"Going up against another Polynesian, that's one trump move from Dana (White)," Viernes said.
Added Vakameilalo: "Just being able to be a part of that, it's a blessing. Us being able to represent in this sport is big."
Both Viernes and Vakameilalo said being raised by disciplinarian parents who used an occasional slap and learning respect and discipline along the way, is what they believe has instilled the roots of slapping into their genetic code.
"It's just in our veins, it's how I was brought up, I think it's a dying breed," Viernes said. "Now it's all frowned upon. That's just in our blood. Hawaii, everybody is respectful. We can get all crazy and stuff but just the love and support now, the history of it, we all can take the slap coming from out of Hawaii, we're just different."
White has continued to say in addition to promoting his PowerSlap events on Rumble across social media platforms, ads for target audiences in Hawaii are specifically because of strikers on the card.
Not to mention the fact roughly 10% of the PowerSlap roster hails from the state.
"It's big. We've got a lot of talent coming out of Hawaii," White said. "What we've been talking a long time about ... we're actively working right now to bring a PowerSlap event over to Hawaii."
Which would be another step for a culture that has seemingly embedded itself in White's latest combat phenomenon.
"The energy is unmatched," Vakameilalo said. "I feel like that's the one thing us Polynesians have an advantage with, is the support system."
