Tag: Glory

Watch: LIVER SHOT! Cem Caceres Brutally Knocks Out Latescu in Round One After Stepping in on Short Notice

Cem Caceres Glory 94Turkey’s Cem Caceres was able to move up in the competitive light heavyweight division with a brutal liver punch…

Cem Caceres Glory 94

Turkey’s Cem Caceres was able to move up in the competitive light heavyweight division with a brutal liver punch knockout against the Romanian Stefan Latescu at GLORY 94.

Cem Caceres Knocks Out Stefan Latescu

The 24-year-old Cem Caceres was a last-minute replacement for the headlining fight at GLORY 94. Originally, the dangerous Bahram Rajabzadeh was set to face off against ‘Golden Boy’ Latescu. But, the Azerbaijani Rajabzadeh was moved to the main event of GLORY 95 when Antonio Plazibat dropped out due to injury. Now, we will see a heavyweight rematch between the towering Levi Rigters and the aggressive Rajabzadeh.

GLORY 94 saw the talented Romanian knockout striker Stefan Latescu take on the rising Caceres. The 22-year-old Latescu has won the majority of his fights by way of knockout with his powerful hands. In his GLORY debut, earlier in 2024, Caceres knocked out the PFL fighter Mohamed Amine to step into the deep light heavyweight division.

In the main event of GLORY 94, Cem Caceres and Stefan Latescu traded combination punches and kicks early. But Caceres dodged a hook, went low, and delivered a picture-perfect liver punch knockout in the first round. Latescu went down grimacing in pain and was unable to recover.

Watch the knockout below:

Cem Caceres Glory 94
Stefan Latescu vs Cem Caceres GLORY 94
Stefan Latescu vs Cem Caceres GLORY 94

GLORY 96 – Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati – Champ vs. Champ Background

GLORY 96 Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani BeztatiGLORY 96 will be headlined by Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati, a match between two reigning champions. The event…

GLORY 96 Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati

GLORY 96 will be headlined by Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati, a match between two reigning champions. The event is set to go down on October 12 at the RTM Stage, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Let’s take a closer look at the two kickboxing titleholders set for this showdown.

Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati

The lightweight king will look to capture the welterweight crown in the Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati matchup. ‘The Wonderboy’ Beztati is the long-reigning lightweight champion who is testing his skills in the stacked welterweight division. ‘Luffy’ Chico Kwasi recently captured the welterweight title by way of a stunning knockout.

Chico Kwasi

As a lifelong fan of anime and manga, ‘Luffy’ Chico Kwasi wears the hat from One Piece during his walkouts and when he gets his hand raised. In the training room when things get tough, his love of the boxing manga Hajime no Ippo will give him the drive to push through.

At just the age of 26, the towering Kwasi has run through the competitive welterweight division in GLORY. Currently, on a ten-fight win streak, he has defeated notable athletes such as the highly skilled Jay Overmeer, Enfusion Champion Robin Ciric, and WAKO champion Sergej Braun, among others.

Most recently, he knocked out Endy Semeleer to capture the welterweight crown. Semeleer had long held the welterweight title and had a series of impressive wins. He is highly skilled and a tricky opponent. The Dutch-Surinamese Chico Kwasi knocked him out in the second round to capture kickboxing gold.

‘Luffy’ Chico Kwasi is an aggressive-forward fighter with heavy kicks and punches, looking to land in combination. Typically, Kwasi has a height and reach advantage against welterweight opponents. His first title defense will be against the lightweight champion, Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati at GLORY 96.

Tyjani Beztati

‘The Wonderboy’ Tyjani Beztati is a prodigious talent in kickboxing. One of the youngest champions in GLORY’s history, having captured the lightweight throne when he was only 23 years old. He has since defended this crown in five bouts against notable fighters such as K-1 Champions Stoyan Koprivlenski & Enriko Kehl, featherweight champion Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9, and RISE Champion Kaito Ono, among others.

The Moroccan-Dutch striker is known for his aggressive style of fighting, mixing slick punching combinations with fast kicks. He has an impressive pull counter. In the lightweight division, he is highly adept at using his height and length advantage.

Beztati has had impressive knockout wins with lightning-fast punches against Josh Jauncey, or spearing kicks against Petch. But, his most notable match was a fight of year showdown against K-1 Champion Koprivlenski. It was a back-and-forth battle and one of the best fights in kickboxing.

GLORY has been kicking around the idea of shutting down the lightweight division. At 155 lbs, it is a competitive weight class where all kickboxing organizations have a solid division. Since then, Beztati moved up to welterweight and was able to defeat the former champion Semeleer thus cementing himself as a deserving contender for the welterweight crown.

In a prior interview, the Moroccan-Dutch champion said:

I dedicated my whole life to this, my youth, [my] time, everything … I’m blessed that I can do what I do best and that’s perform inside the the ring… Champ way, that’s the only way.

GLORY 96

Chico Kwasi vs Tyjani Beztati is a matchup of a deserving contender and lightweight champion looking to take the welterweight throne. Beztati has a chance to make history as a two-division champion in GLORY. A feat that only Robin van Roosmalen and Alex Pereira have been able to accomplish.

PFL confirm signing of former GLORY Kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe amid UFC links

PFL confirm signing of GLORY Kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe UFC linksThe PFL (Professional Fighters League) have confirmed the signing of former two-time GLORY Kickboxing welterweight champion, Cedric Doumbe to a multi-fight deal, following links to a move and debut with the UFC last year ahead of the promotion’s debut in France. Doumbe, 30, a native of Cameroon, currently boasts an undefeated 4-0 professional mixed martial […]

PFL confirm signing of GLORY Kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe UFC links

The PFL (Professional Fighters League) have confirmed the signing of former two-time GLORY Kickboxing welterweight champion, Cedric Doumbe to a multi-fight deal, following links to a move and debut with the UFC last year ahead of the promotion’s debut in France.

Doumbe, 30, a native of Cameroon, currently boasts an undefeated 4-0 professional mixed martial arts record, since transitioning from kickboxing back in 2021.

Last featuring professionally in Paris at an MMA Grand Prix: Paris billed event back in March of this year, Cedric Doumbe landed a second round TKO win over Pawel Kilmas in the French capital.

Cedric Doumbe has been teasing news of a move on his official social media

Teasing news of his impending move in recent weeks, Doumbe, a decorated striker issued a plea to viewers and fans on his official YouTube channel, urging them to vote on a poll to determine whether he should sign for the PFL, UFC, or Bellator MMA.

However, as per official confirmation from the PFL this Wednesday evening, the 83-7-1 kickboxing star, Doumbe has penned a multi-fight deal with the organization.

“-2x GLORY Kickboxing welterweight champion

 -2016 A1 WGP final tournament champion

 -World Kickboxing Association world champion

“The Best” HAS ARRIVED,” PFL tweeted. “Welcome to the Professional Fighter’s League @CedricDoumbe.” 

A heralded kickboxing talent, Doumbe, most recently featured at GLORY 77: Rotterdam abc in January 2021, securing a second round KO win over Murthel Groenhart. 

Over the course of his decorated and gold-laden professional kickboxing tenure, Cedric Doumbe has landed victories over the likes of Brad Riddell, Nieky Holzkien, Yoann Kongolo, Yohan Lidon, Thonchai Sitsongpeenong Jimmy Vienot, Harut Grigorian, and Alim Baiev to name a few. 

Following UFC 287 last month in Miami, Florida – Doumbe posted a cryptic tweet aimed at two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya.

Ahead of UFC Fight Night Paris last September, Doumbe was linked with a move to the organization and a debut at the Accor Arena event, in a matchup against Darian Weeks, however, the French MMA Federation called a halt to the pairing, declaring that fighters competing with less than 10 professional fights should not compete against other competitors with a four-fight plus differential in experience. 

Antonio Silva signs with Brave CF, will face Haim Gozali on March 9

antonio silvaFormer UFC heavyweight, Antonio Silva is set to return to professional MMA. It was recently announced by Silva via his Instagram that he had signed a deal with Brave CF and would be taking on Haim Gozali. “Hi everyone, now it’s official,” Silva said. “I signed the contract to fight on March 9th in the […]

antonio silva

Former UFC heavyweight, Antonio Silva is set to return to professional MMA.

It was recently announced by Silva via his Instagram that he had signed a deal with Brave CF and would be taking on Haim Gozali.

“Hi everyone, now it’s official,” Silva said. “I signed the contract to fight on March 9th in the Brave organization against Haim Gozali. I’m so excited for that, and I’ll see you soon Haim.”

Silva will look to get his first win in seven years, spanning 10 fights across MMA, kickboxing, boxing and bare-knuckle. Now aged 43, there is serious concern over the health of Silva who has been KO/TKO’d in all but one of those 10 fights, some of which were particularly heavy and worrying stoppages.

Silva has been knocked out 12 times in his professional career and has been shipping and receiving punishment since turning pro in 2005. After getting cut from the UFC after going 1-6 (1 NC) in his last seven fights, all of which were stoppage losses, Silva has consistently been signed by promotions all over the world to be used as cannon fodder.

Silva was even signed by Glory Kickboxing, the premier kickboxing organization in the world to take on current heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven, who is widely considered to be one the best heavyweights ever. The bout was a completed mismatch, Verhoeven floored the Brazilian several times as he slowly plodded forward before it being stopped in the second round.

Antonio Silva taking on Rico Verhoeven

Prime Antonio Silva

While Silva has clearly suffered a significant drop-off, a prime ’Bigfoot’ was a terrifying man. Silva possessed serious power which saw him earn stoppage victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, and Travis Browne.

The former UFC title challenger also produced one of the all-time classic heavyweight contests when he squared off with Mark Hunt for the first time back in 2013.

How will Antonio Silva do against Haim Gozali?

Overeem Scores Comeback Win Over Badr Hari, Twitter Reacts

Alistair Overeem had a successful return to the world of kickboxing when he took out Badr Hari in their trilogy bout. Long before Overeem was fighting for UFC gold, he was a decorated kickboxing champion, winning two K-1 World Grand Prix titles. One of…

Alistair Overeem had a successful return to the world of kickboxing when he took out Badr Hari in their trilogy bout. Long before Overeem was fighting for UFC gold, he was a decorated kickboxing champion, winning two K-1 World Grand Prix titles. One of the most notable parts of his initial kickboxing run came from…

Continue Reading Overeem Scores Comeback Win Over Badr Hari, Twitter Reacts at MMA News.

Alistair Overeem vs. Badr Hari 3 Set For GLORY Collision 4 In October

Alistair Overeem, Badr HariUFC veteran Alistair Overeem is slated to fight Badr Hari for the third time this October at GLORY Collision 4. Early last year, UFC chose to part ways with Alistair Overeem after he lost his final outing under the banner to Alexander Volkov in Feb 2021. As a seasoned professional of the sport, Overeem has […]

Alistair Overeem, Badr Hari

UFC veteran Alistair Overeem is slated to fight Badr Hari for the third time this October at GLORY Collision 4.

Early last year, UFC chose to part ways with Alistair Overeem after he lost his final outing under the banner to Alexander Volkov in Feb 2021. As a seasoned professional of the sport, Overeem has competed in the most well-known promotions through the years having started his professional career in 1999.

After a two-decade-long career that saw him fight in PRIDE FC, Strikeforce, DREAM, K-1 Kickboxing, and the UFC, Overeem will finally be making his first showing under GLORY.

For his debut match in the promotion, Alistair Overeem has been matched up against longtime rival Badr Hari for a third fight. While the 42-year-old Dutch was previously scheduled to face the heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven, ‘The Demolition Man’ was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury last October. (source: AD.nl)

While most athletes take their chops to MMA after specializing in one area, Overeem maintained a balance between MMA and kickboxing. He made his debut in both sports in the same year and although he spent most of his career in MMA, he also holds a record of 10-4 in kickboxing.

Alistair Overeem-Badr Hari: A History Spanning Decades

Alistair Overeem has been a long-standing fixture in the field of combat sports barring boxing. Making his debut in the UFC in 2011, Overeem secured a win over Brock Lesnar via TKO. He has also stood toe-to-toe with current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, Stipe Miocic, Chuck Liddell, Mirko Cro Cop, and many more.

Badr Hari is no exception when compared in terms of longevity. Having fought most of the best heavyweight fighters, Hari has had a career that spanned generations since his professional debut in 2002. Hari has also held titles in K-1 kickboxing and It’s Showtime. He was also twice a runner-up in K-1 Grand Prix tournaments and has challenged the prolific Rico Verhoeven twice for the GLORY heavyweight crown.

Their first encounter came in a K-1 and DREAM crossover event Dynamite!! 2008. Overeem dispatched Hari with a knockout in the first round to upset the oddsmakers. In their second clash in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 tournament, Hari was able to avenge his loss by knocking out Overeem in the opening round of the semi-final matchup.

Now, Overeem and Hari will put their record on the line to come out on top of their rivalry with one win over the other at GLORY Collision 4 this October. No exact date or location has been confirmed as of yet.