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| (Image Source: Fightbook MMA/GLORY Kickboxing) |
Kickboxing historically has been defined by tournaments, now GLORY will redefine tournaments with the introduction of ‘Last Heavyweight Standing’, the biggest heavyweight tournament in the history of combat sports. This year-long five-event tournament will kick-off on April 5, 2025 at ‘GLORY 99: Last Heavyweight Standing’ at the Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands with featuring thirty-two heavyweights from around the world in sixteen bouts, all vying to impress and make their mark on the sport. Over the course of 2025, fighters will enter qualifying tournaments and career defining matchups until the final eight remain for an epic one-night end of year tournament to decide who will be the ‘Last Heavyweight Standing’.
“GLORY is the only place in the world where you could see 32 of the baddest heavyweights on the planet put it all on the line in the ‘Last Heavyweight Standing’ tournament, the biggest of its kind in combat sports history. Today we are announcing a host of exciting names and we have more to follow in the coming days. The tournament brings excitement for fight fans globally and a career defining opportunity for the fighters. This will be a true test of the fighter heart and spirit,” said GLORY CEO Marshal Zelaznik. The first nine fighters were revealed at a recent press conference held in Amsterdam in the Netherlands and they are:
• Jamal Ben Saddik (36-9, 29 KO): ‘The Goliath’ is a former GLORY title contender making his much-anticipated return after three years away. He holds career wins over Rico Verhoeven and Remy Bonjasky.
• Bahram Rajabzadeh (70-4, 61 KO): A wild and unpredictable fan favourite fighter who competed in both the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Grand Prix events in 2024.
• Uku Jurjendal (20-9, 16 KO): An Estonian KO artist with a one hundred percent finish ratio in GLORY and a recent win over the legendary Badr Hari.
• Rade Opacic (21-6, 16 KO): Known as one of the world’s best heavyweights, this Serbian heavy hitter is coming in to make his much-anticipated GLORY debut.
• Ahmed Krnjic (13-4, 4 KO): Riding a nine-fight win-streak, ‘Bosnian Steel’ is looking to introduce himself on the biggest stage in kickboxing.
• Sofian Laidouni (37-4-1, 18 KO): France’s number one heavyweight brings his flash and flair.
• Murat ‘The Butcher’ Aygun (32-4, 8 KO): This Turkish slugger is aiming to make his presence known.
• Tariq Osaro (26-4-1, 13 KO): Former interim GLORY heavyweight champion and one of the hardest hitters in all of combat sports.
• Ionut Iancu (30-10, 12 KO): ‘The Romanian Tank’ made an impact in his debut year in GLORY last year thanks to his granite chin and hands of stone.
Since then, five more heavyweights have been announced including ‘Mr. Tournament’ Benjamin Adegbuyi (35-8, 20 KO), ‘Big Sexy’ Nico Horta (23-10, 3 KO), and heavyweight Muay Thai champion Oleg Pryimachov (16-5, 5 KO) with more being revealed further daily through GLORY Kickboxing's official social media channels.
