Combat sports: Raton's Trujillo slaps his way to a title belt

Stand and deliver: Raton’s Robert Trujillo did just that on Friday, five times, in defeating Canada’s Dakota McGregor to win the inaugural Power Slap lightweight title.

Trujillo, in defeating McGregor by lopsided unanimous decision at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada, improved his record in UFC President Dana White’s slap-fighting circuit to 5-1. McGregor, who became the first of Trujillo’s victims to go the prescribed distance, drops to 2-1.

Because this was a title fight, the match consisted of five blows struck by each contestant rather than the customary three. By virtue of a coin toss, McGregor went first.

Trujillo absorbed McGregor’s first blow with a smile, a process he repeated each time. For McGregor, there were no smiles — only grimaces and dazed looks.

After weathering Trujillo’s first blow with no discernible damage, the Prince Edward Island native collapsed to the floor after the second. McGregor clambered back to his feet, and the match continued.

After rounds three and four, McGregor, though staggered each time, stayed upright. After round five, the outcome not in doubt, the two men congratulated each other. The scorecards: 50-43, 50-44 and 49-45, all three for the New Mexican.

Trujillo was jubilant.

“I’ve been working on this (stuff) forever,” he said. “To finally have (the title) is crazy.”

Of his uncanny ability to absorb a blow, Trujillo said. “I tell everyone that in this sport, it’s all about the chin … If you ain’t got a chin you ain’t gonna survive in this sport.”

Of McGregor, he said, “Dakota is a (bleeping) gangster. I’ve never hit anyone as hard as I hit him … much love and respect.”

Trujillo, who’d struggled on Thursday to make the 155-pound lightweight limit, said he’s interested in moving up to 170 pounds and challenging Power Slap welterweight champion Anthony Blackburn (4-0-1).

Blackburn, who was in attendance at the Fontainebleau on Friday, indicated a willingness to accept.