Just days out from GLORY 48 NEW YORK, Connecticut middleweight Paul ‘The Reaper’ Banasiak (5-1, 2 KO’s) has stepped up to fill a vacant slot on the Superfight Series card. Ahmed Samir was due to debut against Ivan Galaz (56-6, 15 KO’s) of Chile, also making his debut, in a reserve match for the main card Middleweight Contender Tournament. But an injury sustained in one of his final training sessions meant that he was forced to withdraw from the bout. Without a second’s hesitation, Banasiak accepted the offer to step in against Galaz this Friday, December 1. Banasiak has a Muay Thai background and has competed internationally and domestically, including an unsuccessful challenge for the Lion Fight cruiserweight title. He has spent extensive periods of time living and training in Thailand and brings a wealth of Thai-style technique and trickery to his fights. This Friday’s fight will be the second time he has fought in Madison Square Garden. Three years ago he fought as an amateur in the world’s most famous arena. The winner of the Galaz/Banasiak battle will be on standby to step up into the Middleweight Contender Tournament final, should either of the two victorious semi-finalists be too injured to take their slot. GLORY 48 NEW YORK takes place Friday, December 1 in The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The Superfight Series card airs live worldwide on UFC Fight Pass between 7.30pm and 9.30pm Eastern Time.
