Jaco ‘Grootwit’ Marneweck has returned to White River after winning his first official Power Slap bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Marneweck made his international debut during the Power Slap 17 event, fighting against Russian slap fighter Denis ‘Big Papa’ Vildanov, on October 31.

During the pre-fight weigh-in, the day before the fight, Grootwit weighed in at 391lbs (177.36kg). This was significantly lighter than Vildanov, who tipped the scales at 468lbs (212.28kg). However, spurred on by support from back home, Grootwit didn’t let this intimidate him and stood his ground. His three-round bout last Friday was the sixth on the non-live preliminary card ahead of the main fight card.

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The Lowvelder was a man on a mission and took the fight to the Russian in every sense, ultimately winning on a technical knockout. “I won all three of the rounds 30-24,” Grootwit recalled to Lowvelder after his fight. He also knocked Vildanov to the ground three times during the fight, and on the third occasion the Russian flinched, which was enough to hand Marneweck the technical victory as it’s against Power Slap rules.

While it is a debut win for Grootwit, he does wish that he had knocked Vildanov out completely and not just won on a technical knockout. “But he was a monster – I just couldn’t slap ‘through’ him. I gave it everything but my hand came to a standstill on his jaw; he was just too strong to knock out,” he said.

One of the biggest takeaways from the fight is that Grootwit does in fact have the ability to not only deal out the blows, but to take them as well.

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Another lesson Grootwit has brought home with him is that the most important thing is to remain humble. “Power Slap isn’t about how big you are, how strong you are or how heavy you are, it’s all about how you can take the blows dealt your way,” he said.

“The experience was nothing short of incredible. It’s on an entirely different level, getting to work for UFC, you’re on the biggest stage in the world representing your country, the Lowveld, your family, friends – you’re representing everything about who and what you are.”

Grootwit does have high ambitions, with the hope to become world super heavyweight champion by early 2027, and is excited to show more of what he has to give.

“I’m a force to be reckoned with, and the world knows it now.”