GLORY 100 Delivers Thrills: Champions Reign, Heavyweight Hopefuls Advance

GLORY 100, a landmark event for the premier kickboxing promotion, unfolded in spectacular fashion at the sold-out Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands. Spanning close to nine hours and featuring a staggering 19 fights, the card delivered on its promise of action, showcasing title defenses, a title change, and the initial phase of a high-stakes heavyweight tournament. The night saw veterans cement their legacies and new contenders emerge, providing a memorable showcase of the sport`s elite.

Championship Showdowns: Title Defenses and a New King

Heavyweight Title: Rico Verhoeven vs. Artem Vakhitov

The main event saw the seemingly unstoppable “King of Kickboxing,” Rico Verhoeven, defend his heavyweight crown for the 13th consecutive time against former light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov. Despite Vakhitov`s courage and technical skill, the significant size and weight advantage held by Verhoeven (nearly 20 kilograms) proved insurmountable over five rounds. Verhoeven executed a masterful game plan, systematically breaking down Vakhitov with a relentless volume of strikes targeting the legs, body, and head with sharp jabs and uppercuts. The champion`s pressure and varied attack left Vakhitov struggling to keep pace, resulting in a dominant unanimous decision victory (50-45 on all scorecards). Verhoeven, ever the sportsman, praised Vakhitov post-fight, suggesting the former light heavyweight king would reclaim his title in his natural division – a gracious, if potentially optimistic, assessment given the night`s outcome.

Light Heavyweight Title: Tarik Khbabez vs. Sergej Maslobojev

The light heavyweight division saw a title change as the highly technical Lithuanian, Sergej Maslobojev, dethroned the aggressive “Moroccan Tank,” Tarik Khbabez. Maslobojev started strong, utilizing pinpoint low kicks to target Khbabez`s legs and set up accurate punches from a distance. Khbabez attempted to stifle Maslobojev with constant forward pressure and looping hooks in the second round, but the challenger`s movement and counter-striking proved effective whenever he created space. As the fight progressed, the cumulative damage from Maslobojev`s leg kicks and body shots began to visibly affect Khbabez, limiting his mobility. The pressure intensified in the fourth round, culminating in three crucial knockdowns – two from punishing leg kicks and one from a body shot – leading to a stoppage victory for Sergej Maslobojev, who claimed the light heavyweight championship with a clinical performance.

Middleweight Title: Donovan Wisse vs. Michael Boapeah

The middleweight title clash between champion Donovan Wisse and challenger Michael Boapeah was a closely contested strategic battle. Boapeah initiated the attack by focusing heavily on calf kicks, causing visible damage to Wisse`s lead leg early on, forcing the champion to switch stances periodically. Wisse, in turn, found success countering Boapeah`s aggression with sharp punches and effective crescent kicks and knees to the body. The fight remained tactical, with Boapeah attempting to disrupt Wisse`s rhythm with low kicks and Wisse seeking opportunities for clean punching exchanges and clinch work. Despite Wisse being slowed by the leg damage, Boapeah couldn`t consistently capitalize on his big punches. Ultimately, the judges rendered a split decision, with two judges scoring the bout for Boapeah, indicating just how tight the contest was. However, champion Donovan Wisse retained his title.

Featherweight Title: Petchpanomrung vs. Miguel Trindade

In the featherweight division, champion Petchpanomrung delivered an absolute masterclass against challenger Miguel Trindade. Contrary to expectations of a close rematch following their previous encounter, the Thai southpaw champion was dominant from the outset. While the first round was relatively measured, Petchpanomrung exploded in the second, scoring two decisive knockdowns – one with a body shot and another with a high left kick. From that point forward, the champion dictated the pace, utilizing his powerful left kick to both the leg and body, combined with ironclad defense, to completely stifle Trindade`s offense. Petchpanomrung systematically dismantled the challenger, inflicting damage to his legs, body, and arms with surgical precision. The result was a lopsided unanimous decision victory, with nearly every judge scoring the fight overwhelmingly in favor of the dominant champion. Trindade perhaps only won a round in the judges` minds, making this a truly one-sided affair.

Heavyweight Tournament: The Road to the Final Begins

GLORY 100 also marked the highly anticipated launch of Phase 1 of the Last Heavyweight Champion tournament, featuring 16 contenders battling across four groups for a spot in the next stage. Each group held semi-finals and a final, with the winner of each group advancing.

Group 1: Bouzid Emerges from a Grueling Path

The Group 1 semi-finals saw Iraj Azizpour secure a split decision win over Ionuț Iancu in a cautious fight that saw Azizpour survive a scare in the second round. In the other semi-final, Benjamin Bouzid overcame Vladislav Nasipov in an extra round after the initial three were scored a draw. Nasipov`s Philly shell defense initially troubled Bouzid, but the younger Moroccan`s pressure in the sudden victory round proved decisive. The group final saw Bouzid, switching to orthodox stance, utilize his reach advantage and sharp jabs against the lower-guarded Azizpour. Combining clean boxing with calf kicks, Bouzid turned the veteran Iranian into a stationary target, winning a clear unanimous decision to become the first heavyweight to advance.

Group 2: “Big Sexy” Grinds His Way Through

In Group 2, fan favorite Ragnar “Big Sexy” Horta advanced to the final by grinding out a unanimous decision win against his opponent, consistently marching forward and utilizing pressure and body work. The other semi-final featured a quick finish, with Milos Cvjetićanin stopping Cem Caceres in the first round via a doctor`s stoppage after a jumping knee injured Caceres` nose. The group final between Horta and Milos was a tight contest. While the smaller Serbian Milos landed cleaner shots at times, Horta`s relentless forward pressure and body attacks, coupled with a flash knockdown that didn`t count, swayed the judges to award “Big Sexy” a split decision victory and a spot in the next phase.

Group 3: Kromah Survives Rajabzadeh`s Chaos

Group 3 provided significant drama, particularly in the final. The semi-finals saw Mory Kromah dominate Vlad Nechita for a unanimous decision win, showcasing superior size and boxing at range and close quarters. Bahram Rajabzadeh, known for his chaotic offense, lived up to his reputation by quickly knocking out Asdren Gashi in a flurry of hooks in the first round of the other semi-final. The final pitted Kromah against the “Mad Golden Wolf” Rajabzadeh. True to form, Rajabzadeh came out swinging wildly, hurting Kromah and causing two incidents where he kneed Kromah while he was grounded. This led to a rare official intervention and a point deduction for Rajabzadeh. When the fight resumed, Kromah capitalized, dropping Rajabzadeh with a knee up close and then finishing the fight with another jumping knee as Rajabzadeh wildly swung hooks, stopping the chaotic charge in the second round. Former Enfusion champion Kromah advanced with a dramatic TKO win.

Group 4: Osaro`s Power Prevails

The final heavyweight group also featured quick finishes. Benjamin Osaro ended his semi-final against Luigj Gashi early in the first round with a standing count stoppage after landing a heavy cross. Meanwhile, Sofian Laidouni advanced when Jamal Ben Saddik suffered a cut shin early in the first round from checking a kick, resulting in a doctor stoppage. The Group 4 final was a clash of styles between Laidouni`s movement and Osaro`s raw power and pressure. Laidouni circled frantically in the first round, attempting to evade the “Juggernaut” Osaro. However, Osaro`s persistent pressure paid off late in the round, dropping Laidouni against the ropes with a powerful right hand. Though Laidouni beat the count, Osaro wasted no time in the second round, brawling in the corner and flooring the Frenchman with a massive stepping left hand, securing the knockout victory and the final spot in the next phase of the tournament.

GLORY 100 delivered a night packed with competitive fights and decisive finishes, setting the stage for future matchups, particularly the next phase of the intriguing Heavyweight Tournament. Rotterdam witnessed a diverse display of kickboxing skill, from technical masterclasses and dominant championship defenses to chaotic brawls and quick knockouts.