Glory (kickboxing) explained

GLORY
Type:Private
Key People:Pierre Andurand (Chairman),
Scott Rudmann (Vice-Chairman),
Marshall Zelaznik (CEO),
Robbie Timmers, Gyp Tessier (Matchmakers)
Industry:Kickboxing
Owner:GSUKCO Limited
Foundation:2012
Location:London, United Kingdom

Glory (formerly Glory World Series) is an international promotion kickboxing promotion founded in 2012. It is owned by Pierre Andurand, Yao Capital, Scott Rudmann and other investors.

Background

When K-1 began suffering from extreme financial difficulties in 2011, Total Sports Asia, TSA CEO Marcus Luer, Pierre Andurand, and Scott Rudmann of Nectar Capital attempted to buy the brand. K-1 was instead sold to Mike Kim and EMCOM Entertainment Inc.

In the aftermath, Pierre Andurand, Scott Rudmann and TSA decided to start a brand new kickboxing promotion and acquired United Glory, Golden Glory,[1] and It's Showtime to secure a top event production team and contracts to each promotion's top fighters. Forming the Glory World Series, Pierre Andurand was named Chairman and Rudmann was named vice-chairman.[2] A number of people formerly involved with these three entities event became Glory consultants.[3]

Glory World Series signed most of the world's top kickboxers, such as Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Semmy Schilt, Gokhan Saki, Daniel Ghiţă, Albert Kraus, and Giorgio Petrosyan.

History

The company includes a mix of entrepreneurs and senior level executives from different environments.[4] The company's current investors include Pierre Andurand, Scott Rudmann and Nectar Capital and Yao Capital. Former investors have been Liberty Global, and TwinFocus Capital Partners.[5]

In February 2013, Glory announced that former WWE Executive VP Andrew Whitaker had been hired as the global CEO of Glory Sports International.[6] In August, 2014 Andrew Whitaker moved into an advisory role within GLORY and Jon J. Franklin was appointed as the new CEO.[7]

In 2018, Glory announced that former CEO Jon J. Franklin had moved to the role of Chief Development Officer, and former UFC executive Marshall Zelaznik had been hired as the new CEO.[8]

On May 15, 2020, Glory announced Zelaznik had resigned as Glory CEO.[9]

Financial hardships and change of ownership

On May 26, 2020, Glory Sports International went into receivership, and soon after ownership of Glory was transferred to London-based GSUKCO Limited.[10]

Rudmann is the Executive Vice-Chairman, running the league since it was taken over by GSUKCO.

In a press release on October 2, 2023, Glory announced that Maurice Hols was named as the new Executive Director.[11] Citing "different vision of the future of the organization" with Executive Vice Chairman Rudmann, Hols resigned on February 19, 2024, after just a few months as Executive Director.[12]

In March 2024, it was announced by Glory that Zelaznik returned to the company and was appointed again as CEO.[13]

Media coverage

In June 2013, after having its first U.S. event in New York, on June 22, 2013, Spike TV signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast Glory kickboxing events; their partnership began with on October 12 of that year. The broadcast deal with Spike was extended in May 2014 to cover 2015.[14]

In February 2016, Glory CEO Jon J. Franklin announced a new multi-year deal with ESPN.[15]

Glory was broadcast on Veronica TV in the Netherlands from July, 2018 to February, 2020.[16] [17] [18]

Beginning in 2019, Glory initiated a partnership with the UFC for the former's events to be exclusively carried in the U.S by UFC Fight Pass.[19] The first event to be broadcast as part of this partnership was Glory 63: Houston on February 1 and the last event was Glory 75: Utrecht on February 29, 2020.

Events from Glory 76 to Glory 80 Studio were available through pay-per-view.

28 June 2022 Glory announced a multi-year broadcast deal with Videoland in the Netherlands. The deal covers all Glory events starting from Glory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuyi 2.[20] On 16 February 2024 a multi-year broadcast deal with DAZN covering France and Belgium was announced.[21]

Glory Rivals

In January 2022 Glory announced a new series of events called Glory Rivals, jointly promoted with regional promotions.[22] The first Rivals event with Enfusion was scheduled for May 21, 2022, at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium. The event was later cancelled due to the finances of Enfusion's local promoter partner Antwerp Fight Organization catching the attention of Belgian authorities.[23]

Glory Rivals 1 was instead held on June 11, 2022, in Alkmaar, Netherlands. In the main event Luis Tavares defeated Florent Kaouachi by knockout in the third round.[24]

Glory Rivals 2 was held on September 17, 2022, in Alkmaar, Netherlands.[25]

Glory Rivals 3 was organized at Sporthallen Zuid in Amsterdam on November 5, 2022. Ibrahim El Bouni defeated Muhammed Balli by knock-out in the first round.

Glory Rivals 4 took place on December 25 at Ryogoku Sumo Arena in Tokyo, Japan, in collaboration with Rise and Shoot boxing. Kento Haraguchi defeated Serhii Adamchuk by unanimous decision.

GLORY Rivals 5 was organized on January 28, 2023, at Zamna Tulum Hotel in Tulum, Mexico, in collaboration with War of Nations. Abraham Vidales defeated Tomás Aguirre by Unanimous Decision. On January 11, 2024, it was announced that Glory and RISE would hold joint tournaments, combine their rankings and unify their rankings.[26] A few days later, on February 6, the promotion put their lightweight and women's super bantamweight divisions on hold.[27]

Roster

See main article: List of current GLORY fighters.

Events

Glory events

EventDateVenueLocationAttendance
115Glory 96RTM StageRotterdam, Netherlands
114Glory 95Arena ZagrebZagreb, Croatia
114Glory 94Lotto ArenaAntwerp, Belgium
112Glory 93Topsportcentrum RotterdamRotterdam, Netherlands
111Glory Light Heavyweight Grand PrixRotterdam AhoyRotterdam, Netherlands
110RTM StageRotterdam, Netherlands
109Glory 91Dôme de ParisParis, France
108Glory Heavyweight Grand PrixArnhem, Netherlands
107Glory 90Rotterdam, Netherlands
106Glory Collision 6Arnhem, Netherlands
105Glory 89Burgas, Bulgaria
104Glory 88Paris, France
103Glory 87Rotterdam, Netherlands
102Glory Collision 5
101Glory 86GrugahalleEssen, Germany
100Glory 85Rotterdam, Netherlands
99Glory 84Topsportcentrum Rotterdam
98Glory 83GrugahalleEssen, Germany
97Glory Rivals 5Zamna Tulum Tulum, Mexico
96Ryōgoku KokugikanTokyo, Japan
95Maritim HotelBonn, Germany
94Sporthallen ZuidAmsterdam, Netherlands
93GelreDomeArnhem, Netherlands
92Glory Rivals 2De MeentAlkmaar, Netherlands
91Glory 81Castello Düsseldorf Düsseldorf, Germany
90Zwembad Hoornse VaartAlkmaar, Netherlands
89Glory 80 StudioSportcentrum Valken HuizenArnhem, Netherlands
88Trixxo ArenaHasselt, Belgium
87GelreDomeArnhem, Netherlands18,000
86Rotterdam AhoyRotterdam, Netherlands
85Glory 77: Rotterdam
84Glory 76: Rotterdam
83Glory 75: UtrechtCentral StudiosUtrecht, Netherlands
82GelreDomeArnhem, Netherlands31,000
81Nanshan Culture & Sports CenterShenzhen, China
80Wintrust ArenaChicago, Illinois, United States
79
78Glory 70: LyonPalais des Sports de GerlandLyon, France
77Glory 69: DüsseldorfISS DomeDüsseldorf, Germany
76 Glory 68: MiamiJames L Knight CenterMiami, Florida, United States
75Glory 67: OrlandoSilver Spurs ArenaOrlando, Florida, United States
74Glory 66: ParisZénith ParisParis, France
73Glory 65: UtrechtCentral StudiosUtrecht, Netherlands
72Glory 64: StrasbourgRhénus SportStrasbourg, France
71Glory 63: HoustonArena PlaceHouston, Texas, United States
70Glory 62: RotterdamRotterdam, Netherlands
69Glory 61: New YorkNew York City, New York, United States
68Glory 60: LyonLyon, France
67Glory 59: AmsterdamJohan Cruyff ArenaAmsterdam, Netherlands
66Glory 58: ChicagoSears Centre ArenaHoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
65Glory 57: ShenzhenShenzhen, China
64Glory 56: DenverBroomfield, Colorado, United States
63Glory 55: New YorkNew York City, New York, United States
62Glory 54: BirminghamGenting ArenaBirmingham, England
61Glory 53: LilleZénith de LilleLille, France
60Glory 52: Los AngelesLong Beach Convention and Entertainment CenterLong Beach, California, United States
59Glory 51: RotterdamRotterdam AhoyRotterdam, Netherlands
58Glory 50: ChicagoUIC PavilionChicago, Illinois, United States
57Glory 49: RotterdamRotterdam AhoyRotterdam, Netherlands
56Glory 48: New YorkNew York City, New York, United States
55Glory 47: LyonPalais des Sports de GerlandLyon, France
54Glory 46: ChinaGuangzhou GymnasiumGuangzhou, China
53Glory 45: AmsterdamSporthallen ZuidAmsterdam, Netherlands
52Glory 44: ChicagoSears CentreHoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
51Glory 43: New YorkNew York City, New York, United States
50Glory 42: ParisAccorHotels ArenaParis, France
49Glory 41: HollandBrabanthallen 's-Hertogenbosch's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands 5,000
48Glory 40: CopenhagenForum CopenhagenCopenhagen, Denmark2,500
47Glory 39: BrusselsForest NationalBrussels, Belgium1,500
46Road to Glory UK 65 kg TournamentGrantham Meres Leisure Centre Grantham, England
45Glory 38: ChicagoSears CentreHoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
44Glory 37: Los AngelesThe Novo by MicrosoftLos Angeles, California, United States
43Glory 36: OberhausenKönig Pilsener ArenaOberhausen, Germany13,000
42Glory 35: NicePalais NikaïaNice, France
41Glory 34: Denver1stBank CenterBroomfield, Colorado, United States
40Glory 33: New JerseySun National Bank CenterTrenton, New Jersey, United States
39Glory 32: VirginiaTed Constant Convocation CenterNorfolk, Virginia, United States
38Glory 31: AmsterdamAmsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention CentreAmsterdam, Netherlands3,500
37Glory 30: Los AngelesCitizens Business Bank ArenaOntario, California, United States1,750
36Glory 29: CopenhagenForum CopenhagenCopenhagen, Denmark1,250
35Glory 28: ParisAccorHotels ArenaParis, France2,750
34Glory 27: ChicagoSears CentreHoffman Estates, Illinois, United States2,000
33Glory 26: AmsterdamAmsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention CentreAmsterdam, Netherlands8,000
32Glory 25: MilanPalaIperMilan, Italy6,750
31Glory 24: DenverMagness ArenaDenver, Colorado, United States3,500
30Bellator/Glory: Dynamite 1SAP CenterSan Jose, California, United States11,000
29Glory 23: Las VegasHard Rock Hotel and CasinoLas Vegas, Nevada, United States2,200
28Glory 22: LilleStade Pierre-MauroyLille, France6,500
27Glory 21: San DiegoValley View Casino CenterSan Diego, California, United States1,500
26Glory 20: DubaiDubai World Trade CentreDubai, United Arab Emirates 1,000
25Glory 19: VirginiaHampton ColiseumHampton, Virginia, United States3,500
24Glory 18: OklahomaGrand Casino Hotel ResortShawnee, Oklahoma, United States1,000
23Glory 17: Los AngelesThe ForumInglewood, California, United States4,000
22Glory 16: Denver1stBank CenterBroomfield, Colorado, United States2,350
21Glory 15: IstanbulÜlker Sports ArenaIstanbul, Turkey11,000
20Glory 14: ZagrebArena ZagrebZagreb, Croatia10,000
19Glory 13: TokyoAriake ColiseumTokyo, Japan8,000
18Glory 12: New YorkThe Theater at Madison Square GardenNew York City, New York, United States4,500
17Glory 11: ChicagoSears CentreHoffman Estates, Illinois, United States1,500
16Glory 10: Los AngelesCitizens Business Bank ArenaOntario, California, United States2,200[28]
15Glory 9: New YorkHammerstein BallroomNew York City, New York, United States1,950
142013 Road to Glory: USA Heavyweight Tournament Hard Rock Hotel and CasinoTulsa, Oklahoma, United States
132013 Road to Glory: USA 70 kg TournamentThe RaveMilwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
12Glory 8: TokyoAriake ColiseumTokyo, Japan3,500
11Glory 7: MilanMediolanum ForumMilan, Italy10,000
10Glory 6: IstanbulÜlker Sports ArenaIstanbul, Turkey12,000
9Glory 5: LondonExCeL ArenaLondon, England4,500
8CapitaleNew York City, New York, United States
7Differ Ariake ArenaTokyo, Japan
6Hollywood Park CasinoLos Angeles, California, United States
5Road to Glory: USA 95 kg TournamentHard Rock Hotel and CasinoTulsa, Oklahoma, United States
4Saitama Super ArenaSaitama, Japan15,000
3Glory 3: RomePalaLottomaticaRome, Italy6,450
2Glory 2: BrusselsForest NationalBrussels, Belgium5,250
1Glory 1: StockholmEricsson GlobeStockholm, Sweden4,500

United Glory events

EventDateVenueLocationAttendance
18United Glory 15: Glory World SeriesDynamo Sports Palace Moscow, Russia
17United Glory 14: 2010-2011 World Series FinalsMoscow Forum Hall Moscow, Russia
16United Glory 13: 2010-2011 World Series SemifinalsSpiroudome Charleroi, Belgium
15United Glory 12: 2010-2011 World Series QuarterfinalsPassenger Terminal Amsterdam, Netherlands
14United Glory: Upcoming Glory 7 Sportstudio H&A Deventer, Netherlands
13United Glory 11: A Decade of FightsPassenger Terminal Amsterdam, Netherlands
12United Glory: Upcoming Glory 5 Sportstudio H&A Deventer, Netherlands
11United Glory 10: The Battle of Arnhem Arnhem, Netherlands
10United Glory 9: Swiss Las VegasMarkthalle Basel, Switzerland
9United Glory 8Triavium Nijmegen, Netherlands
8United Glory: Upcoming Glory 2 Zalencentrum de Kei Ede, Netherlands
7United Glory 7De Flint Utrecht, Netherlands
6United Glory 6: Ede's Best Against the RestReehorst Sports Hall
5United Glory 5: StrongerDe Flint Utrecht, Netherlands
4United Glory 4: 20 Year Anniversary Hof van Salland Diepenveen, Netherlands
3United Glory 3: Upside Down De Flint Utrecht, Netherlands
2United Glory 2De Flint Utrecht, Netherlands
1United Glory 1Sporthal de Zielhorst Utrecht, Netherlands

Champions

Current champions

DivisionUpper weight limitChampionSinceTitle defenses
Unlimited June 21, 2014 11
951NaN1 March 9, 20240
851NaN1 September 4, 2021 4
771NaN1 Chico KwasiApril 27, 2024 0
701NaN1 September 4, 2021 5
651NaN1 September 29, 2018 8
551NaN1 Vacant

Indicates former interim champions.
Indicates current lineal and interim champions.

Glory Heavyweight Championship

Weight limit: Unlimited

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:21%;"Namestyle= width:16%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle=width:9%;"Reign
(total)
style= width:49%;"Defenses
1align=left Semmy Schilt
align=center Glory 1: Stockholm
align=center May 26, 2012align=center 396 daysalign=left
Schilt vacated the title after retiring due to a heart condition on June 26, 2013.[29]
2align=left
align=center
align=center Jun 21, 2014
(incumbent)
align=left










align=left Kevin Tariq Osaro
Glory: Collision 5
Jun 17, 2023

Glory Light Heavyweight Championship

Weight limit: 951NaN1

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:18%;"Namestyle= width:16%;"Eventstyle= width:18%;"Datestyle=width:9%;"Reign
(total)
style= width:49%;"Defenses
1 align=left Gökhan Saki
align=center Glory 15: Istanbul
align=center Apr 12, 2014align=center 471 daysalign=left
align=center colspan=6Saki was stripped of the title due to inactivity on July 27, 2015.[30]
2align=left Saulo Cavalari
align=center
align=center Sep 19, 2015align=center 175 daysalign=left
3align=left Artem Vakhitovalign=center Glory 28: Paris
align=center Mar 12, 2016align=center 1,785 daysalign=left



align=left
align=center Glory 31: Amsterdam
align=center Jun 25, 2016align=center align=left
align=left Pavel Zhuravlev
Glory 43: New York
align=center Jul 14, 2017align=center align=left
align=center colspan=6Zhuravlev was stripped of his interim title when he left Glory for the FEA.
4align=left Alex Pereiraalign=center Glory 77: Rotterdam
align=center Jan 30, 2021align=center 217 daysalign=left
5 align=left align=center Glory 78: Rotterdam
align=center Sep 4, 2021align=center 286 days
(2,071 days)
align=left
align=center colspan=6Vakhitov was stripped of the title on June 17, 2022, following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[31] .
6align=left
Glory: Collision 4
align=center Oct 8, 2022align=center 126 daysalign=left
7align=left Donegi AbenaGlory 83
align=center Feb 11, 2023 align=center 329 daysalign=left
align=left Tarik Khbabez
Glory: Collision 5
Jun 17, 2023
8align=left Tarik Khbabez
align=center Mar 9, 2024 align=center
(incumbent)

Glory Middleweight Championship

Weight limit: 851NaN1

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:20%;"Namestyle= width:16%;"Eventstyle=width:24%;"Datestyle=width:9%;"Reign
(total)
style= width:49%;"Defenses
1align=left Artem Levin
Glory 17: Los Angeles
align=center Jun 21, 2014align=center 615 daysalign=left
2align=left Glory 27: Chicago
align=center Feb 26, 2016align=center 196 daysalign=left
3align=left Glory 33: New Jersey
align=center Sep 9, 2016align=center 232 daysalign=left
4align=left
align=center Apr 29, 2017align=center 168 days
(364 days)
align=left
5align=left Glory 46: China
align=center Oct 14, 2017align=center 1,251 daysalign=left
align=center colspan=6Pereira vacated the title to compete in the Light Heavyweight Division.[32]
6align=left Donovan Wisse
Glory 78: Rotterdam
align=center Sep 4, 2021align=center
(incumbent)
align=left


Glory Welterweight Championship

Weight limit: 771NaN1

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:21%;"Namestyle= width:16%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle=width:9%;"Reign
(total)
style= width:49%;"Defenses
1 align=left Marc de Bonte
Glory 16: Denver
align=center May 3, 2014align=center 49 daysalign=left
2align=left
align=center Jun 21, 2014align=center 348 daysalign=left
Valtellini vacated the title suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome on June 4, 2015.[33]
3align=left Nieky Holzken
Glory 23: Las Vegas
align=center Aug 7, 2015align=center 491 daysalign=left

4align=left Glory 36: Oberhausen
align=center Dec 10, 2016align=center 258 daysalign=left
5align=left Glory 44: Chicago
align=center Aug 25, 2017align=center 175 daysalign=left
6align=left Harut GrigorianGlory 50: Chicago
align=center Feb 16, 2018align=center 386 daysalign=left
7Glory 64: Strasbourg
Mar 9, 2019align=center 983 days (1,241 days)

align=left
Glory 70: Lyon
align=center Oct 26, 2019align=center align=left
Glory declared the title vacant on November 16, 2021, following Doumbé's retirement from kickboxing[34] .
8
Glory 82
Nov 19, 2022align=center 525 days

9 Chico KwasiGlory 91
Apr 27, 2024align=center
(incumbent)

Glory Lightweight Championship

Weight limit: 701NaN1

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:21%;"Namestyle= width:16%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle=width:9%;"Reign
(total)
style= width:49%;"Defenses
1align=left Davit Kiria
Glory 14: Zagreb
align=center Mar 8, 2014align=center 244 daysalign=left
2align=left Glory 18: Oklahoma
align=center Nov 7, 2014align=center 596 daysalign=left
3align=left Glory 31: Amsterdam
align=center Jun 25, 2016align=center 1056 daysalign=left





4align=left Glory 65: Utrecht
align=center May 17, 2019align=center 464 daysalign=left

Grigorian vacated the title on August 23, 2020, when he signed for ONE Championship.[35]
5align=left Tyjani Beztati
Glory 78: Rotterdam
align=center Sep 4, 2021align=center
(incumbent)
align=left



Glory Featherweight Championship

Weight limit: 651NaN1

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:21%;"Namestyle= width:20%;"Eventstyle=width:10%;"Datestyle=width:9%;"Reign
Total
style= width:46%;"Defenses
1align=left Gabriel Varga
Glory 20: Dubai
align=center Apr 3, 2015align=center 217 daysalign=left
2align=left Glory 25: Milan
align=center Nov 6, 2015align=center 259 daysalign=left
3 align=left Glory 32: Virginia
align=center Jul 22, 2016align=center 91 days
(308 days)
align=left
4align=left Glory 34: Denver
align=center Oct 21, 2016align=center 90 daysalign=left
van Roosmalen was stripped of the title after failing to make weight for a scheduled title defense on January 19, 2017.[36]
5 align=left Robin van Roosmalen
Glory 41: Holland
align=center May 20, 2017align=center 497 days
(587 days)
align=left
align=left Kevin VanNostrand
Glory 48: New York
align=center Dec 1, 2017align=center align=left
align=left Petchpanomrung Kiatmookao
Glory 55: New York
align=center Jul 20, 2018align=center align=left
6align=left Glory 59: Amsterdam
align=center Sep 29, 2018align=center
(incumbent)
align=left






Glory Women's Super Bantamweight Championship

Weight limit: 551NaN1

style= width:1%;"No.style= width:21%;"Namestyle= width:16%;"Eventstyle=width:13%;"Datestyle=width:9%;"Reign
(total)
style= width:49%;"Defenses
1align=left Tiffany van Soest

align=center Dec 10, 2016align=center 356 daysalign=left
2align=left Anissa MeksenGlory 48: New York
align=center Dec 1, 2017align=center 252 days align=left
3align=left Jady MenezesGlory 56: Denver
align=center Aug 10, 2018align=center 84 daysalign=center
4 align=left Glory 61: New York
align=center Nov 2, 2018align=center 385 days
(637 days)
align=left
5 align=left Glory 71: Chicago
align=center Nov 22, 2019align=center 1,387 days
(1,743 days)
align=left


Title was vacated when van Soest retired from the sport on September 9, 2023.[37]

Tournament champions

Weight ClassChampionRunner-upEventDateTournament Bracket
Glory 70 kg Slam TournamentGlory 3: RomeNovember 3, 2012 70kg Slam Tournament bracket
Glory Heavyweight Grand Slam TournamentDream 18/Glory 4: TokyoDecember 31, 2012 Glory Heavyweight Grand Slam Tournament bracket
Glory 65 kg Slam Tournament Yuta KuboGlory 8: TokyoMay 3, 2013Glory 65kg Slam Tournament bracket
Glory 95 kg Slam Tournament Tyrone SpongGlory 9: New YorkJune 22, 2013Glory 95kg Slam Tournament bracket
Glory Middleweight Championship Tournament Joe SchillingGlory 10: Los AngelesSeptember 28, 2013Middleweight World Championship Tournament bracket
Glory Heavyweight Championship Tournament Rico VerhoevenGlory 11: ChicagoOctober 12, 2013Heavyweight World Championship Tournament bracket
Glory Lightweight Championship Tournament Andy RistieGlory 12: New YorkNovember 23, 2013Lightweight World Championship Tournament bracket
Glory Welterweight Championship Tournament Nieky HolzkenGlory 13: TokyoDecember 21, 2013Welterweight World Championship Tournament bracket
Glory Light Heavyweight Championship TournamentGlory 15: IstanbulApril 12, 2014Light Heavyweight World Championship Tournament bracket
Glory Middleweight Last Man Standing TournamentGlory 17: Los AngelesJune 21, 2014Middleweight Last Man Standing Tournament bracket
Glory Women's Super Bantamweight Grand Prix Amel Dehby Glory 36: OberhausenDecember 10, 2016
Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix Jamal Ben Saddik Benjamin AdegbuyiGlory 62: RotterdamDecember 8, 2018
Glory 4-man Heavyweight Tournament Levi Rigters Nordine MahieddineGlory 76: RotterdamDecember 19, 2020
Glory 4-man Heavyweight Tournament Rico Verhoeven Tarik KhbabezGlory 77: RotterdamJanuary 30, 2021
Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix Rico Verhoeven Levi RigtersGlory Heavyweight Grand PrixMarch 9, 2024
Glory Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Donegi AbenaGlory Light Heavyweight Grand PrixJune 8, 2024

Contender Tournament champions

Weight ClassChampionRunner-upEventDateTournament Bracket
2014 Glory Middleweight Contender TournamentGlory 14: ZagrebMarch 8, 2014 2014 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament bracket
2014 Glory Heavyweight Contender TournamentGlory 16: DenverMay 3, 2014 2014 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament bracket
2014 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Gabriel Varga Shane OblonskyGlory 17: Los AngelesJune 21, 20142014 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament bracket
2014 Glory Light Heavyweight Contender Tournament Saulo Cavalari Zack MwekassaGlory 18: OklahomaNovember 7, 20142014 Glory Light Heavyweight Contender Tournament bracket
2015 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament Nieky HolzkenGlory 19: VirginiaFebruary 6, 20152015 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament bracket
2015 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament Simon MarcusGlory 20: DubaiApril 3, 20152015 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament bracket
2015 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong Josh JaunceyGlory 22: LilleJune 5, 20152015 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament bracket
2015 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament Benjamin Adegbuyi Jahfarr WilnisGlory 24: DenverOctober 9, 20152015 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament bracket
2015 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament Murthel Groenhart Karim GhajjiGlory 25: MilanNovember 6, 20152015 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament bracket
2015 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Mosab Amrani Maykol Yurk Glory 26: AmsterdamDecember 4, 20152015 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament bracket
2016 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament Dustin Jacoby Wayne BarrettGlory 27: ChicagoFebruary 26, 2016
2016 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong Marat GrigorianGlory 28: ParisMarch 12, 2016
2016 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament Ismael Londt Jahfarr WilnisGlory 29: CopenhagenApril 16, 2016
2016 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament Murthel Groenhart Yoann KongoloGlory 31: AmsterdamJune 25, 2016
2016 Glory Light Heavyweight Contender Tournament Zinedine Hameur-Lain Ariel MachadoGlory 32: VirginiaJuly 22, 2016
2016 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Matt Embree Giga ChikadzeGlory 33: New JerseySeptember 9, 2016
2016 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament Yousri BelgarouiGlory 34: DenverOctober 21, 2016
2016 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament Benjamin Adegbuyi Mladen BrestovacGlory 35: NiceNovember 5, 2016
2016 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament Dylan Salvador Hysni BeqiriGlory 36: OberhausenDecember 10, 2016
2017 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament Yoann Kongolo Karim BenmansourGlory 37: Los AngelesJanuary 20, 2017
2017 Glory Light Heavyweight Contender Tournament Ariel Machado Zinedine Hameur-LainGlory 38: ChicagoFebruary 24, 2017
2017 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Petchpanomrung Kiatmookao Serhiy AdamchukGlory 39: BrusselsMarch 25, 20172017 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament Alex PereiraGlory 40: CopenhagenApril 29, 20172017 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament D'Angelo Marshall Anderson BraddockGlory 41: HollandMay 20, 20172017 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament Christian Baya Massaro GlunderGlory 42: ParisJune 10, 20172017 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Kevin VanNostrand Giga ChikadzeGlory 43: New YorkJuly 14, 20172017 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament Harut Grigorian Antoine PintoGlory 44: ChicagoAugust 25, 20172017 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Light Heavyweight Contender Tournament Michael Duut Manny ManchaGlory 45: AmsterdamSeptember 30, 20172017 Glory Light Heavyweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Abdellah Ezbiri Anvar BoynazarovGlory 47: LyonOctober 28, 20172017 Featherweight Contender Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament Stoyan Koprivlenski Tyjani BeztatiGlory 49: RotterdamDecember 9, 20172017 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament bracket
2018 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament Benjamin Adegbuyi Junior TafaGlory 50: ChicagoFebruary 16, 20182018 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament bracket
2018 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament Eyevan Danenberg Thongchai SitsongpeenongGlory 51: RotterdamMarch 3, 20182018 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament bracket
2018 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Serhiy Adamchuk Victor PintoGlory 53: LilleMay 12, 20182018 Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament bracket

Qualification Tournament winners

Weight ClassChampionRunner-upEventDateTournament Bracket
2015 Glory Heavyweight Qualification TournamentXavier Vigney Chi Lewis Parry Glory 21: San DiegoMay 8, 2015 2015 Glory Heavyweight Qualification Tournament bracket
2015 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament Dustin Jacoby Casey GreeneGlory 23: Las VegasAugust 7, 2015 2015 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament bracket
2016 Glory Welterweight Qualification Tournament Richard Abraham Francois Ambang Glory 30: Los AngelesMay 13, 20162016 Glory Welterweight Qualification Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Featherweight Qualification Tournament Chenglong Zhang Masaya KuboGlory 46: ChinaOctober 14, 20172017 Glory Featherweight Qualification Tournament bracket
2017 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament Robert Thomas Mike LemaireGlory 48: New YorkDecember 1, 20172017 Middleweight Qualification Tournament bracket
2018 Glory Lightweight Qualification Tournament Liu Xu Wensheng ZhangGlory 57: ShenzhenAugust 25, 20182018 Glory Lightweight Qualification Tournament bracket

Road to Glory Tournament champions

Weight ClassChampionRunner-upEventDateTournament Bracket
Road to Glory USA 95 kg Tournament Dustin Jacoby Brian ColletteRoad to Glory USA 95 kg TournamentFebruary 2, 2013
Road to Glory USA 85 kg Tournament Mike Lemaire Eddie WalkerRoad to Glory USA 85 kg TournamentFebruary 9, 2013
Road to Glory Japan 65 kg Tournament Masaaki Noiri Yuki Road to Glory Japan 65 kg TournamentMarch 10, 2013
Road to Glory USA 77 kg Tournament Francois Ambang Brett Hlavacek Road to Glory USA 77 kg TournamentMarch 22, 2013
Road to Glory Japan 85 kg Tournament Kengo ShimizuRoad to Glory Japan 85 kg TournamentMay 3, 2013
Road to Glory USA 70 kg Tournament Michael Mananquil Troy Sheridan 2013 Road to Glory USA 70 kg TournamentMay 11, 2013
Road to Glory USA Heavyweight Tournament Xavier Vigney Maurice GreenRoad to Glory USA Heavyweight TournamentJune 14, 2013
Road to Glory UK 65 kg Tournament Mo Abdurahman Bailey SugdenRoad to Glory UK 65 kg TournamentMarch 11, 2017

Multi-division champions

Fighters who have won championships in multiple weight classes (excluding tournament champions).

Notable fighters

Featherweight

Lightweight

Welterweight

Middleweight

Light Heavyweight

Heavyweight

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Joe O'Regan . GLORY takes over DREAM for NYE show - Fighters Only . Fightersonlymag.com . 2012-10-25 . 2014-04-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213091711/http://www.fightersonlymag.com/content/news/17420-glory-takes-over-dream-for-nye-show . 2013-12-13 . dead .
  2. Web site: Glory World Series Puts $1 Million USD on the Line in New Tournaments. Dave Walsh. LiverKick.com. 12 June 2015.
  3. Web site: News - Â'ItÂ's ShowtimeÂ' promoter Simon Rutz retires from kickboxing business . Gloryworldseries.com . 2013-03-28 . 2014-04-08.
  4. Web site: About Us . Gloryworldseries.com . 2012-05-26 . 2014-04-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140423192714/http://www.gloryworldseries.com/en/static/about . 2014-04-23 . dead .
  5. Web site: Yao Ming, Liberty Global Invest in Kickboxing's Glory Sports . Patrick Frater . Variety.com . 13 September 2016 . 26 June 2017.
  6. Web site: News - Andrew Whitaker Named New Glory Ceo . Gloryworldseries.com . 2013-02-05 . 2014-04-08.
  7. Web site: Glory Sports International Appoints Jon J. Franklin as Global Chief Executive. sports-entco.com.
  8. News: GLORY Appoints Marshall Zelaznik as New CEO; Franklin Moves to Development Role. 2018-01-24. LiverKick. 2018-02-01. en.
  9. Web site: Marshall Zelaznik resigns as CEO of Glory Kickboxing, will stay on in advising role. 15 May 2020.
  10. 1279159722688593924. aaronbronsteter. An update: I'm told by a GLORY exec.... 3 July 2020.
  11. Web site: GLORY appoints new Executive Director. October 2, 2023. glorykickboxing.com.
  12. Web site: BREAKING! GLORY Executive Director Maurice Hols Announces Resignation – "...In Order to Be Successful, One Must Be True to Their Own Values and Beliefs". Anthony Barry. February 19, 2024. beyondkick.com.
  13. Web site: Marshall Zelaznik Returns as CEO of GLORY Kickboxing. March 19, 2024. combatpress.com. Timothy Wheaton.
  14. Web site: Glory Appoints New CEO, Extends Spike TV Broadcast Deal. 2014-08-19. Sherdog.com. 2014-08-22.
  15. Web site: Glory announces ESPN partnership and Glory 29 Copenhagen. © 2016 Vox Media, Inc.. 2016-02-26. 2016-02-29. 2016-02-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20160228103924/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/2/26/11124816/glory-espn-broadcast-deal-glory-29-copenhagen-nieky-holzken-yoann-kongolo-kickboxing. dead.
  16. Web site: John de Mol haalt GLORY Kickboxing naar Veronica. June 27, 2018. Mediacourant.nl.
  17. Web site: ? | KIJKEN: GLORY 75 Utrecht via TV en Livestream. February 29, 2020. Vechtsport info.
  18. Web site: Veronica stopt met uitzenden kickbokswedstrijden GLORY. Showbizznetwork.nl. 26 August 2020 .
  19. Web site: UFC FIGHT PASS AND GLORY REACH GROUND-BREAKING DEAL. Glory Kickboxing.
  20. Web site: Glory in zee met Videoland: Gevechten exclusief te zien via streamingsdienst . 28 June 2022 .
  21. Web site: Dazn Further Strengthens ITS Combat Sports Offering with Glory Kickboxing .
  22. Web site: Glory Kickboxing Announces Cross Promotion Series with Multiple Organizations .
  23. Web site: Onderzoek KALI-team nekt vechtsportgala in Lotto Arena: Sportpaleis NV stopt samenwerking met Antwerp Fighting Organisation . 10 May 2022 .
  24. News: GLORY Rivals 1 and Enfusion 108 Results: Tavares Knocks Out Kaouachi . 7 August 2022 . Combat Press.
  25. News: Iskenderov . Parviz . Robin Ciric vs Endy Semeleer headlines GLORY Rivals 2 . 7 August 2022 . FIGHTMAG . 26 July 2022.
  26. Web site: Collet . Bjarne . RISE & GLORY Announce 8-Men Featherweight Grand Prix . Beyond Kickboxing - The Home of Kickboxing . 12 January 2024 . en.
  27. Web site: Huwaë . Kimball . GLORY Puts Their Lightweight Division on Hold . Beyond Kickboxing - The Home of Kickboxing . 10 February 2024 . en.
  28. Web site: Glory 10 and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs Bryan Vera results: Soooo...about last night. Matthew Roth. MMAmania.com. 29 September 2013. 12 June 2015.
  29. Web site: Sem Schilt Retires. Dave Walsh. LiverKick.com. 12 June 2015.
  30. Web site: GLORY Statement on Gokokhan Saki. gloryworldseries.com. 27 July 2015.
  31. Web site: Reedijk . Tim . Titelgevecht voor Luis Tavares, Glory breekt met Vakhitov en Russen . bndestem.nl . 17 June 2022 . 17 June 2022.
  32. Web site: GLORY 78: 2nd Title Bout Added to Fight Card, Catinas Returns . kickboxingz.com . 18 May 2021 . 18 May 2021 . 18 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210518073124/https://kickboxingz.com/glory-78-2nd-title-bout-added-to-fight-card-catinas-returns/ . dead .
  33. Web site: GLORY Welterweight Champion Joseph Valtellini Vacates Championship. Dave Walsh. LiverKick.com. 12 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150614153832/http://liverkick.com/index.php/item/3554-glory-welterweight-champion-joseph-valtellini-vacates-championship. 14 June 2015. dead.
  34. Web site: Angelini . Olivier . Cédric Doumbé n'est officiellement plus champion du Glory . boxemag.com . 16 November 2021 . 21 November 2021.
  35. Web site: ONE Championship Signs Marat Grigorian . kickboxingz.com . 23 August 2020 . 21 November 2021.
  36. Web site: Stets . Michael . GLORY 37 weigh-in results: Robin van Roosmalen misses weight, stripped of Featherweight title . mmaplus.co.uk . 20 January 2017 . 21 November 2021.
  37. Web site: Strobel . Kevin . GLORY 88 Results . Beyond Kickboxing - The Home of Kickboxing . 10 September 2023 . en . 10 September 2023.