Spoiler: Ugly scenes following Boukhidos/Iermano finish

Local favorite Vittorio Iermano met bookmaker’s favorite Samir Boukhidous in the middle bout of the Superfight Series card. As things turned out, most of the fireworks would take place after the fight was over.

Having stopped Mikhal Chalych in his GLORY 20 DUBAI debut (Chalych has a win over Artem Levin from some years ago), this was expected to be something of a hard-fought but showcase bout for Boukhidous, who is in his mid-30s and was aiming for a quick title run in GLORY.

Certainly the first round looked that way as Iermano, a Muay Thai stylist, spent most of it walking backwards and taking punishment. The tone was set early when Iermano threw a light feeling-out inside low kick at Boukhidous and ate a thunderous left body kick in return.

Right at the end of the first round Iermano landed a good solid left hook. It was his only really good blow of the fight up to that point and if things didn’t change, Boukhidous was going to run him over. Muay Thai fighters are traditionally slow starters and this may be the case with Iermano; either that or his corner lit a fire under him.

Either way, when he came out for the second frame it was to do damage and pay Boukhidous back. Instead of kickboxing at distance he came close and looked to hit clinch-knees to the body and anywhere else he could land them. The tone of the fight changed completely, in proportion to Iermano’s change in tactics.

Suddenly it was Boukhidous fighting the rearguard action, landing punches as Iermano pursued him across the ring. The referee was quick to break up clinches but there was some interaction between him and Boukhidous due to his perception that the latter was attempting to hit as the clinch was being broken up.

Maybe it was that which soured the tone. A cut was opened on Boukhidous’s head and soon his face was a sheet of blood. The fight was stopped for the doctor to take a look and, as earlier in the evening, she stopped the fight instantly. Iermano celebrated in the middle of the ring but then headed to Boukhidous’ corner to shout something.

That led to an ugly scene as he and Filip Verlinden got into it a little. Things then took a turn for the strange as Iermano came back over to bow down Thai-style on the floor and apologize for his outburst moments earlier. Boukhidous’ corner team weren’t interested. “You can fight me next time!” snapped a furious Verlinden.

Vittorio Iermano def. Samir Boukhidous, 2:30 R2, TKO (Doctor Stoppage, Cut)