Marat Grigorian (50-10-2, 31 KO's) has been a long-time occupier of the top spot in the lightweight contender lists but has also twice failed to take the title from Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. That has left him in a tricky position: he's now something of a roadblock for other fighters on their way to a title shot.
According to GLORY matchmaker Cor Hemmers, Grigorian's contract also gives him frequent fights and he has to be kept busy. But that is sometimes easier said than done because ânot many want to fight Grigorian if they can avoid itâ.
One fighter who did want to step up and face him was Antonio Gomez (50-8-2, 29 KO's). The Spanish lightweight has twice come in on short notice to fight in GLORY and suffered losses on both occasions, most recently when his GLORY 40 fight with Josh Jauncey was stopped because of a deep cut.
âWhen we offered Marat he said yes immediately, no problem. He told us 'Marat is one of the strongest guys in the division but I am really going to show you something against him'. We respect that attitude a lot, that's a real fighter,â says Hemmers.
Gomez kept his word. Despite crackling with nervous energy at the beginning of the fight he certainly had not come to lie down and let Grigorian run him over. Grigorian cranked the pressure up to '10' the second the fight started and had Gomez on the back foot throughout the first round, but the Spaniard kept firing back and landing shots of his own amidst the Grigorian onslaught.
Still, a finish looked like it was only going to be a matter of time. Grigorian's pressure is a wicked combination of workrate, variety and forward movement. Gomez was backed up around the ring from one set of ropes to another, taking punches, knees, head kicks and body shots non-stop along the way.
It was body-shots which won the fight for Grigorian. Just towards the end of the first round he put a shovel-hook into Gomez's torso which make the Spaniard bend forwards, visibly hurt. He managed to correct his position and defend as Grigorian tried to finish him off, holding on until the end of the round.
In the second round, Grigorian started where he left off and this time two minutes was enough. He bullied Gomez around the ring before herding him into a corner, where a flurry of head punches was followed by a knee to the body which sent Gomez to the canvas.
Gomez was on his hands and knees as the referee stood over him administering a count. As the referee reached 'eight' he regained his feet but when asked if he wanted to continue he shook his head. A real fighter he may be, but he knew that he would only be in for more of the same if the fight restarted.
Grigorian adds another TKO to a record which is filled with finishes inside the distance. He also retains his #1 contender spot. The question now is, who does he fight next?
Marat Grigorian def. Antonio Gomez, TKO, 2:02 R2 (Knee to body)
