GLORY 58 Preliminary Card Recap: El Kasri, Moss, Chasteen and Nelson ear...

A four-fight preliminary card kicked things off for GLORY’s return to ‘The Windy City’ of Chicago, with the action taking place at the Sears Centre.

Houssam El Kasri (2-1, 2 KO’s) battered his way into a finish victory over fellow featherweight Kou Lee (2-1, 2 KO’s) in the preliminary card headline bout.

Lee powered into boxing range to start the fight, looking to avoid the kicking arsenal of El Kasri. It was futile, as a right head kick from El Kasri dropped Lee before the midway point of the opening stanza. 

Lee’s forward pressure played to El Kasri’s style, as he countereed with repeated front kicks and knees. Lee’s nose bled copiously from these strikes in round two. 

The knees of El Kasri continued to deliver damage, earning a second knockdown in which Lee was unable to recover, handing El Kasri his second straight GLORY knockout.

Welterweights Justin Moss (4-2, 2 KO’s) and Paul Banasiak (5-4, 2 KO’s) served as the penultimate bout of the preliminary card. 

Moss was quick to close the distance and attack the body of the taller Banasiak. The Muay Thai stylists Banasiak tried to answer with knees, forcing Moss to slow his output. 

A heavy left hand from Banasiak dropped Moss late in the opening round. The knockdown was a shot of confidence for Banasiak, who increased his work rate. 

The low kick of Banasiak battered the lead leg of Moss, but a counter right hand from Moss wobbled the taller Banasiak late in the frame. 

Moss sensed that Banasiak was still hurt early in round three, spamming his overhand right. One connected, dropping Banasiak and evening up the knockdown count. The pair swung until the final bell, but it was the volume and resiliency of Moss that were the difference with the judges.

Nick Chasteen (9-6, 3 KO’s) and John Morehouse (10-9) continued the prelims, also in the lightweight division. 

Chasteen wasted little time, scoring with a combination, then landing a heavy, right head kick. Morehouse took the shot well, but was forced to defend an onslaught of heavy punches from Chasteen. 

The heavy strikes from Chasteen continued in the middle stanza, as he turned the body of Morehouse red with kicks and punches. 

The durability of Morehouse was put to the test in the fight’s final frame, as Chasteen earned a knockdown with a knee to the body. It wasn’t enough to put Morehouse away, but it sealed the easy decision victory for Chasteen. 

The night’s action kicked off with a lightweight bout between Lorawnt-t Nelson (7-0, 3 KO’s) and Trevor Ragin (7-5, 3 KO’s). Nelson was the aggressor early, frustrating Ragin from the southpaw stance. 

The Colorado-based fighter pounded the lead leg of Ragin with low kicks. The forward pressure from Nelson prevented Ragin from finding a rhythm. 

As the fight progressed, Ragin’s output waned, allowing Nelson to unload with heavy shots. The fight went the distance, but Nelson cruised to the decision win. 

GLORY 58 PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS

Houssam El Kasri def. Kou Lee by TKO (knee). Round 2, 2:36
Justin Moss def. Paul Banasiak by split decision (28-27, 27-28, 28-27, 28-27, 28-27)
Nick Chasteen def. John Morehouse by unanimous decision (30-26 x5)
Lorawnt-t Nelson def. Trevor Ragin by unanimous decision (30-27 x5)