Ky Hollenbeck is out of his Lightweight Championship Title fight with Andy ‘The Machine’ Ristie at GLORY 14 ZAGREB.
The two were to dispute the vacant belt in the first of this year’s six Championship Title matches. But Hollenbeck (46-3, 23 KO’s) has been forced to withdraw from the fight, handing the opportunity to Kiria (21-9, 6 KO’s).
Kiria, an Ashihara Karate stylist from Georgia, is ranked at #3 in the GLORY World Series lightweight division.
Kiria will square off with Ristie (41-3, 21 KO’s) in the co-headline fight on Saturday, March 8 with the winner becoming the first GLORY World Series Lightweight Champion.
“This is the biggest fight of my life. I am so happy to have this opportunity to become champion and I am going to make the most of it,” says Kiria.
“Being the GLORY World Lightweight Champion would be to make my dreams come true. It is my great pleasure to fight Ristie for this opportunity.”
“He is a good fighter. Ristie won the Lightweight Championship Tournament with two big finishes so that goes to show what kind of a fighter he is. He is strong and he has a tricky style so he presents a lot of difficulties.
“But I will find the key to beat him.”
Ristie stopped Giorgio Petrosyan (78-2-1, 35 KO’s) and Robin Van Roosmalen (31-6, 19 KO’s) to win the four-man lightweight tournament at GLORY 12 NEW YORK on November 28 last year.
Kiria lost a decision to Van Roosmalen in the semi-finals, exiting the tournament. Prior to that loss he had gone 4-1 in GLORY.
He is currently training in Thailand but is usually based in the Netherlands, where he is coached by former World Heavyweight Champion Semmy Schilt and his sensei Dave Jonkers.
Kiria joined GLORY in the wake of winning prestigious European-level karate tournaments. His fierce attacking style has made him a big hit with fans.
“Tactically I am looking to go out there, work hard and get the win. He is not an easy fighter to finish so I think realistically I am going to try and win every round and secure the victory,” says Kiria.
Ristie combines big power with an unorthodox style. In 2013 he stamped his authority on the lightweight division with KO wins over Albert Kraus, Van Roosmalen and Petrosyan, the latter having a 78-1-1 record going into the bout.
GLORY 14 ZAGREB takes place in Zagreb, Croatia on Saturday, March 8 at Arena Zagreb. The event will air in the US on SPIKE TV.
