GLORY is shuffling its plans for its greatest occasion to this point.
Initially scheduled as a two-day affair to happen June 13 and June 14, the packed GLORY 100 occasion now takes place solely on June 14, at Rotterdam Ahoy within the Netherlands.
The occasion is headlined by heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven defending towards former two-time mild heavyweight champion and up to date Dana White Contender Sequence contract winner Artem Vakhitov.
In keeping with a press launch Wednesday, the schedule change was made because of fan response to the potential price of attending two occasions that weekend.
“We’ve listened to the followers and determined to carry all the pieces collectively into one main occasion,” GLORY CEO Marshall Zelaznik mentioned within the launch. “It was clear that our followers have been put within the place of getting to decide on between occasions and, frankly, it was an costly proposition to ask them to have interaction on two nights with GLORY 100. With the brand new format, it permits everybody to expertise the total scope of GLORY 100 in a single night time – whether or not they’re attending stay or watching from dwelling. It’s a option to mark this milestone within the sport’s historical past with guaranteeing all of our followers can take pleasure in all the nice fights and fighters on one nice occasion. In any case, this a celebration of our nice sport, fighters, and followers.”
Verhoeven, 36, seeks his thirteenth consecutive protection of the GLORY heavyweight title. The Dutch legend is without doubt one of the most adorned kickboxers of all time and has not misplaced since 2015.
Vakhitov just lately made headlines for an MMA win over Islem Masraf on Contender Sequence that earned him a UFC contract provide this previous October. Nevertheless, the 34-year-old Russian declined to sign with the promotion, because of limitations on negotiations in relation to Contender Sequence contracts. He was later provided the chance to face Verhoeven.
“Below their protocols, they have been solely in a position to provide me the usual contract given to all DWCS signings,” Vakhitov mentioned. “My workforce tried to barter, however the UFC’s guidelines left no room for changes. I need to be clear that I don’t take problem with their method—I respect their construction. However I’m a prizefighter, and I’ve a household to help. I’ve a restricted window to benefit from my profession.”
The choice dashed followers’ hopes of seeing Vakhitov step into the octagon towards longtime rival Alex Pereira. Vakhitov and Pereira cut up a two-fight sequence within the GLORY ring, with Vakhitov incomes a majority choice to win their most up-to-date assembly in September 2021.
Three different GLORY title fights are set to happen June 14 as present mild heavyweight champion Tarik Khbabez fights Sergej Maslobojev, middleweight champion Donovan Wisse fights Michael Boapeah, and featherweight champion Petch rematches Miguel Trindade.
GLORY 100 is about to air stay June 14 on DAZN. See the lineup beneath, which additionally consists of heavyweight match motion.
Rico Verhoeven vs. Artem Vakhitov
Tarik Khbabez vs. Sergej Maslobojev
Donovan Wisse vs. Michael Boapeah
Petch vs. Miguel Trindade
Mesud Selimovic vs. Iliass Hammouche
Jamal Ben Saddik vs. Sofian Laidouni
Tariq Osaro vs. Luigi Gashi
Bahram Rajabzadeh vs. Asdren Gashi
Mory Kromah vs. Alin Nechita
Serkan Ozcaglayan vs. Mohamed Touchassie
Berjan Peposhi vs. Deniz Demirkapu
Milos Cvjeticanin vs. Cem Caceres
Colin George vs. Nico Horta
Asadulla Nasipov vs. Anis Bouzid
Iraj Azizpour vs. Ionut Iancu
Iuri Fernandes vs. Samuele Pugliese
