Joe Schilling (18-7) is back.
One of the best GLORY Middleweight fighters has returned to the world’s leading kickboxing promotion after several months where it was assumed an agreement couldn’t be reached and both sides would go their separate ways.
According to a press release on this afternoon (Thurs., Feb. 11, 2016), “Stitch ’em Up” will face Mike Lemaire (14-2) as the headlining bout of the GLORY 27 “Superfight Series” on Feb. 26, 2016 at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. “Superfight Series” bouts serve as the GLORY “Prelims” undercard, which normally airs on CBS Sports Network.
Schilling, 32, last fought at GLORY 24 in Oct. 2015, defeating Jason Wilnis via technical knockout because he injured his foot and couldn’t answer the bell for the third and final round. Schilling was originally supposed to face Artem Levin at GLORY 24, but the Middleweight champion pulled out of the bout with an injury. The two-sport competitor, who also fights for Bellator MMA, lost to Hisaki Kato via knockout in his last bout inside the cage in June 2015.
Lemaire was originally supposed to fight in the night’s four-man Middleweight “Contender” tournament. He now leaves the tournament to face Schilling and newcomer Karl Roberson steps in to face Dustin Jacoby in the semifinal round. Most recently, Lemaire defeated Schilling’s training partner, Jacob Poss, at Lion Fight 25 in Oct. 2015.
“Schilling stepped up on short notice to headline the ‘Super Fight Series,’ adding another fantastic fight to an already strong card,” said GLORY CEO Jon Franklin. “Being able to add a fighter of Joe’s caliber to this event is a special treat for the fans. It’s a credit to Mike Lemaire for recognizing this opportunity and seizing it as well.”
GLORY 27 is headlined by a Middleweight title fight between current champion, the aforementioned Artem Levin, and No. 2-ranked contender, Simon “Bad Bwoy” Marcus. The co-main is a Heavyweight contest between Anderson Silva and Maurice Green. The two semifinal match ups for the Middleweight “Contender” tournament are Wayne Barrett vs. Robert Thomas and Dustin Jacoby vs. Karl Roberson.
GLORY 27’s main card airs on ESPN3 at 10 p.m. ET on Fri., Feb. 26, 2016. It replays on ESPN2 at 9 p.m ET on Sun., Feb. 28, 2016, and on ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET on Mon., March 7, 2016.