Danish lightweight Niclas Larsen returned to the GLORY ring for the first time since his KO win over Steve Moxon at GLORY 15 ISTANBUL. Shortly after that fight he developed a bad staph infection which took two years to overcome and at one point had doctors debating whether to amputate his right leg.
In his two prior appearances for GLORY – a decision loss to Andy Ristie at GLORY 10, on a week's notice, and the KO win over Moxon – Larsen's tricky style, unorthodox arsenal and big personality quickly made him a fan favorite. The first round of his return fight showed that all three qualities remained in abundance.
Opposite him was Polish counterpart Lukasz Plawecki, a stocky and robust veteran of numerous wars making his debut in the organization. Plawecki is a kickboxer in a more classic mode, throwing heavy hands with low kicks afterwards, and the contrast between their two styles was stark.
Larsen moved constantly, shucking and jiving around the more static Plawecki and often leaving the Polish fighter swinging fruitlessly at an empty space that Larsen had occupied just a moment earlier. He waded forwards in the first round and threw high volume heavy leather; it would turn out to be his best round of the fight.
In the second, Larsen started taking over the scoring, outfoxing Plawecki again and again. Larsen's output is varied and unpredictable; combined with his tall frame and long reach, he was able to close down most of Plawecki's attacking options and make him start backing up. In the final twenty seconds of the round he nearly finished the fight, scoring several knees to the head, a head kick and some punches, but Plawecki was able to grit it out.
The third round was all Larsen. He tipped his full box of tricks and had Plawecki in trouble for the full three minutes. Larsen's trademark is a clinch grab in which he twists the opponent's head down and sideways, where it can be kneed. Plawekci was on the receiving end of this multiple times, and early in the round he wore a big welt under his right eye.
A finish looked to be on the cards but Plawecki is made of stern stuff. Despite the constant barrage he suffered from Larsen he was able to hold on until the clock ticked out to end the round and end the fight. Once the final bell sounded, the result was obvious. Larsen's face lit up as he listened to ring announcer Tim Hughes announce that he had returned to GLORY in triumph. The lightweight division has an interesting presence back in its ranks.
Niclas Larsen (45-8-2) def. Lukasz Plawecki (17-12-1), Unanimous Decision, R3 3:00
