One of the most prestigious tournaments in combat sports returned with huge bang on Saturday night, March 9, with almost 20,000 fans in attendance at the electric GelreDome football stadium in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
The 2024 GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix recaptured the magic of the past as eight of the best heavyweights on the planet competed in a thrilling one-night tournament filled with emotions from start to finish.
Rico Verhoeven (64-10, 21 KO) was the winner of the night as he defeated France’s Sofian Laïdouni (35-3-1, 17 KO) in the quarterfinals, dispatched of popular Moroccan Nabil Khachab (27-5-1, 4 KO) in the semis before finishing a valiant Levi Rigters (17-2, 8 KO) in the final. But it wasn’t without drama as Rigters knocked Verhoeven down with an incredible spinning backfist.
However, the champ showed just why he is the ‘King of Kickboxing’ as he won by TKO right at the end of the second round to truly cement his legacy among the heavyweight kickboxing greats of yesteryear.
In addition to the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix, Tarik Khbabez (50-10-1, 28 KO) became the undisputed GLORY light heavyweight champion with an incredible split decision victory over heated rival Donegi Abena (27-10, 7 KO) and Tyjani Beztati (26-4, 9 KO) registered his fifth title defense as he retained his GLORY lightweight championship with a decision victory over Germany’s Enriko Kehl (52-15-2, 30 KO).
GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix Results
Main Event
Heavyweight Grand Prix Final
Rico Verhoeven (64-10, 21 KO) def. Levi Rigters (17-2, 8 KO) via TKO, round 2, 2:59.
Co-Main Event
GLORY Light Heavyweight Title
Tarik Khbabez (50-10-1, 28 KO) def. Donegi Abena (27-10, 7 KO) via split decision (48-47 x 3, 47-48).
Middleweight
Iliass Hammouche (34-6, 7 KO) def. Ivan Galaz (58-11-1, 15 KO) via unanimous decision (29-28 x 5).
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Semi Final 2
Rico Verhoeven (63-10, 20 KO) def. Nabil Khachab (27-5-1, 4 KO) via unanimous decision (30-26 x 5).
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Semi Final 1
Levi Rigters (17-1, 8 KO) def. Bahram Rajabzadeh (66-2, 58 KO) unanimous decision (28-27 x 5).
GLORY Lightweight Title
Tyjani Beztati (26-4, 9 KO) def. Enriko Kehl (52-15-2, 30 KO) via unanimous decision (50-44 x 4, 50-45).
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Quarter Final 4
Rico Verhoeven (62-10, 20 KO) def. Sofian Laïdouni (35-3-1, 17 KO) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 5).
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Quarter Final 3
Nabil Khachab (27-4-1, 4 KO KO) vs. Benjamin Adegbuyi (35-8, 20 KO) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 4, 29-28).
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Quarter Final 2
Bahram Rajabzadeh (66-1, 58 KO) def. Tariq Osaro (25-4-1, 13 KO) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3, 30-28, 29-28).
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Quarter Final 1
Levi Rigters (16-1, 8 KO) def. Uku Jürjendal (20-9, 16 KO) via KO, round 2, 1:48.
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Reserve Bout
Cihad Kepenk (23-6, 16 KO) def. Michał Bławdziewicz (11-8-1, 5 KO) via TKO, round 2, 2:55.
