Two of the light-heavyweight division’s top contenders will meet in high-stakes battle for the co-main event of GLORY Superfight Series 20.
Saulo ‘Cassius Clay’ Cavalari (30-2, 19 KO’s) won the Light-Heavyweight Contender Tournament at GLORY 18 OKLAHOMA with back-to-back victories over Danyo Ilunga and Zack Mwekassa.
Artem Vakhitov (11-4, 3 KO’s) entered the GLORY ranks as an unknown but has gone undefeated and is currently riding a three-fight win streak.
They will clash in the co-main event of the GLORY Superfight Series 20 card in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday, April 3, with the winner laying claim to a title shot against current champion Gokhan ‘The Rebel’ Saki.
“Cavalari and Vakhitov have developed into two of the most exciting prospects in the light-heavyweight division,” says Cor Hemmers, GLORY matchmaker and Head of Talent Operations.
“They were not well-known when we signed them but we saw their potential and they have more than proved themselves worthy of their place on the roster. Both have shown themselves to be world-class talent and a real threat in this division.
“Vakhitov was originally set to take part in the Light-Heavyweight Contender Tournament at GLORY 18 but was prevented from doing so via injury. Now, in facing the tournament winner, he has a chance to inject his name into the title shot conversation.
“Cavalari’s eyes are firmly on the title shot prize but he felt it fair to face Vakhitov now and he also wants to gain as much ring time as he can before challenging for the world title, so this is a very high-stakes match for both.”
Cavalari took a clear decision win over former #1 Danyo Ilunga in the semi-finals of the Light-Heavyweight Contender Tournament then had a short but thrilling battle with Zack Mwekassa in the final before ending it with a head kick knockout.
Prior to GLORY 18 he competed in the light-heavyweight tournament at GLORY 15 ISTANBUL, going the distance with Tyrone Spong in the semi-finals. He lost a decision but gave Spong and tough fight, with Spong afterwards predicting a bright future for the Brazilian.
Vakhitov’s debut at GLORY 9 NEW YORK was one of the fastest and most emphatic finishes in GLORY history as he took out Luis Tavares with a body-shot KO just one minute into the first round. Since then he has beaten European champion Nenad Pagonis and Croatian standout Igor Jurkovic to force his way into the Top Ten of the official rankings.
GLORY 20 DUBAI and GLORY Superfight Series 20 take place Friday, April 3 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In the GLORY 20 main event, Robin van Roosmalen defends the World Lightweight Championship against Andy ‘The Machine’ Ristie.
GLORY 20 DUBAI airs same-day in the US on Spike TV at 9pm ET while GLORY Superfight Series 20 airs on CBS Sports on Friday April 10.
