GLORY Kickboxing reaches a significant milestone on June 14th with its 100th numbered event, broadcasting live from Rotterdam Ahoy. This centennial spectacle is appropriately stacked, featuring not one, but four championship contests set to reshape the competitive landscape across multiple divisions. Let`s examine the key matchups scheduled to unfold.
Heavyweight Championship: The King vs. The Intruder
Headlining the historic card is the long-reigning heavyweight king, Rico Verhoeven, defending his throne against a surprising challenger: former light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov. Verhoeven has been the dominant figure in the heavyweight division since 2014, boasting an undefeated record within GLORY after securing the title. His reign is built on controlling distance with superior footwork and utilizing devastating leg kicks to set up his formidable power.
Vakhitov`s path back to GLORY is, perhaps, unconventional. Following a brief foray into Mixed Martial Arts that saw him secure a UFC contract – a move that tantalizingly suggested a potential clash with old rival Alex Pereira in the octagon – reports indicated on March 25, 2025, that Vakhitov declined the UFC offer and re-signed with GLORY. Now, the former light heavyweight ruler faces the daunting task of challenging a physically much larger opponent in Verhoeven, who stands 6`5″ with a considerable reach advantage. Vakhitov, a Master of Sport in Muay Thai, possesses damaging leg kicks himself, but his key weapon is the seamless integration of crisp boxing combinations with punishing low kicks. To dethrone Verhoeven, he will likely need to pressure relentlessly and break through the Dutchman`s defensive shell. The heavyweight division`s future is further complicated by the upcoming “Last Heavyweight Standing” tournament; the victor of this main event may find their next challenge emerging directly from the tournament field.
Light Heavyweight Championship: Settling the Score
The co-main event pits Light Heavyweight Champion Tarik Khbabez against former champion Sergej Maslobojev in a bout framed as settling an “old score.” Khbabez, known as “The Tank,” had an active 2024, reclaiming the title in a trilogy against Donegi Abena. His style is one of relentless pressure, characterized by debilitating calf kicks that pave the way for his powerful boxing. When “The Tank” closes the distance, he attacks with full force, mixing hooks and uppercuts to body and head.
Maslobojev, despite turning 38 just weeks before the fight, continues to perform at a high level. His 2024 included significant wins, punctuated by a loss in the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finals. Maslobojev`s strength lies in his deceptive speed and slick, technical approach, fighting effectively at range and capitalizing on counter-punching opportunities, often answering opponents` strikes with multiple shots of his own. This stylistic contrast—Khbabez`s brute force against Maslobojev`s experienced technicality—promises an engaging contest. The light heavyweight belt has notoriously failed to stay in one place for long since Artem Vakhitov`s initial reign, making this fight a crucial opportunity for either man to establish a more enduring hold on the division.
Middleweight Championship: The Reign vs. The Timebomb
Middleweight Champion and 2023 GLORY Fighter of the Year, Donovan Wisse, kicks off his 2025 campaign with a rematch against former title challenger Michael Boapeah. Boapeah, expressing frustration with perceived inactivity in the middleweight division, successfully ventured into the light heavyweight ranks to start 2025, securing two impressive stoppage victories. Despite this success in a higher weight class, Boapeah has consistently called out Wisse, even resorting to colorful language like calling the champion a “wasteman.”
While trash talk makes headlines, Wisse`s undefeated eleven-fight streak within GLORY, built upon a strong 22-1 professional record, demonstrates that winning requires more than words. Wisse`s style is smooth, technical, and patient. His effective jab allows him to control distance and tempo, as seen in his last title defense. Boapeah, conversely, embodies his nickname “The Timebomb,” rarely taking a step back, marching forward with full power behind every strike, always seeking the finishing blow. This fight carries significant historical weight: a win for Wisse would surpass Alex Pereira`s record for most middleweight title defenses, while a victory for Boapeah would make him the first African fighter to claim the middleweight title and only the second African to hold any undisputed GLORY belt.
Featherweight Championship: Rematch for Supremacy
In the featherweight division, Champion Petchpanomrung faces Miguel Trindade in a rematch following their incredibly close split-decision bout in the GLORY X RISE Grand Prix final. Petchpanomrung, a seasoned Thai veteran with over 200 fights, has been nearly flawless in GLORY`s featherweight division since unifying the title, his only recent misstep being an unsuccessful venture up to lightweight. His style is textbook Thai: devastating low kicks, an apparently endless gas tank, and piercing body kicks used effectively to score and disrupt opponents` rhythm.
Miguel Trindade, despite a much shorter professional record of just 21 fights, has shown remarkable composure and power against more experienced opponents, boasting a high knockout ratio. He proved his mettle against Petch in their first encounter, absorbing the champion`s trademark kicks while showcasing his ability to end the fight with a single shot. Having six months to analyze the previous fight and train, Trindade will be highly motivated to overturn the decision and claim the belt. Like the heavyweights, the featherweight division is also slated for a Grand Prix later this year, and it`s plausible that these two top competitors could find themselves participating once again.
GLORY 100 promises a night of high-stakes kickboxing, showcasing championship legacies, determined challengers, and compelling stylistic clashes. Rotterdam awaits to see who will emerge victorious from this centennial celebration.
