GLORY newcomer Van Soest sets sights on a “big shiny belt” of her own

Tiffany Van Soest has only just signed for GLORY but already has her eye on winning a title.

“I definitely don't do this to be #2. Plus, I'm taking a liking to these big shiny belts!” she says of her ambitions in the world's premier kickboxing league.

Van Soest will debut at next month's GLORY 30 LOS ANGELES event, appearing on the Superfight Series section of the card. Her fight with Jeri Sitzes, a rematch of their 2012 meeting, will air worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.

“This rematch is attractive because Jeri Sitzes is good. I want to see how much we've both improved since we last fought. And of course I'm expecting the same result: a dominating victory, KO or not,” she says.

“I am very comfortable under the GLORY rule-set. I do really like to utilize my elbows in Muay Thai but the differences are minor and I feel like my style overall is more suited to kickboxing.”

With her own championship ambitions, it is no surprise that the GLORY fighters Van Soest looks up to the most are champions and tournament winners.

“Nieky Holzken always puts on amazing performances. Joe Schilling is a friend of mine, so I make sure not to miss his fights. They're always exciting as well. Rico Verhoeven and Robin Van Roosmalen are animals as well,” she says.

Van Soest will debut on Friday, May 13 – unlucky for some but, she is confident, not for her. She says the location – Ontario, a suburb of her home city of Los Angeles – makes it “the perfect welcome fight” and she is hugely looking forward to it.

“I am ecstatic about fighting for GLORY!” she beams. “It is an honor to once again be the first female fighter to be signed by one of the top organizations in combat sports.”

GLORY 30 LOS ANGELES takes place Friday, May 13 at the Citizen Bank Arena in Ontario, Los Angeles, California. The headline bout sees middleweight champion Simon Marcus defend the belt against underdog turned contender Dustin Jacoby.