Following an introductory foray into mixed martial arts, Tyrone Spong announced his return to kickboxing with one thunderous shot.
The 27-year-old Spong floored Remy Bonjasky in the headlining bout of Saturday’s GLORY 5 London event, extending a five-fight win streak that includes victories over Melvin Manheof and Peter Aerts.
Kickboxing for the first time since June 2012, Spong answered the opening bell with a aggressive pace, stalking Bonjasky across the ring, peppering him with low kicks and strikes. Action picked up mightily in round two, with both fighters trading furious exchanges until Spong backed Bonjasky into a corner and began picking his shots. Bonjasky answered with a strong knee to the jaw, but Spong simply ate it before uncorking a massive, looping right hook that sent Bonjasky crashing under the ropes.
The win pushes Spong’s kickboxing record to an impressive 69-6-1 (1 NC), with 42 knockouts. Afterward, the Blackzilian fighter challenged GLORY’s top-ranked heavyweight, Semmy Schilt.
“I like challenges and I’m just looking forward to fighting the best,” Spong said. “So give me Semmy, or give me whatever.”
Bonjasky falls to 2-2 over the course of his four-fight comeback bid from retirement, and 77-17 overall.
“It’s hard when your 37 years old and trying to make a comeback,” a disappointed Bonjasky said. “But all the credit to Tyrone.
“I don’t know [what’s next] yet. It’s hard to make a good comeback. My comeback has been rocky. I’ve done my best, I’ve done everything, but my body says it’s hard.”
Complete GLORY 5 London results can be found below.
Main Card
HW: Tyrone Spong def. Remy Bonjasky via knockout (right hook) in round 2
154 lbs: Jordan Watson def. Steve Moxon via unanimous decision
154 lbs: Albert Kraus def. Warren Stevelmans via unanimous decision
187 lbs: Steve Wakeling def. Eddie Walker via knockout (low kicks) in Round 2
209 lbs: Danyo Ilunga def. Stephane Susperregui via knockout (knee) in Round 2
209 lbs: Michael Duut def. Dustin Jacoby via knockout (knockdowns) in Round 1
143 lbs: Mosab Amrani def. Liam Harrison via knockout (liver punch) in Round 1
HW: Daniel Sam def. Jaideep Singh via unanimous decision.
154 lbs: Johann Fauveau def. Constantin Pasniciuc via unanimous decision
154 lbs: Reece McAllister def. Tim Thomas via unanimous decision
170 lbs: Jonatan Oliveira def. Nicola Gallo via unanimous decision
Preliminary card (Untelevised)
187 lbs: Marlon Hunt def. Andrei Manzolo via decision
154 lbs: Chad Sugden def. Sam Wilson via decision
154 lbs: Kerrith Bhella def. Sam Omomogbe via decision
209 lbs: Boris Uhlik def. Fraser Weightman via decision