GLORY is holding its 100th event live from Rotterdam Ahoy on June 14th. This preview looks at the four championship bouts scheduled for the historic card.
The King of Kickboxing, Rico Verhoeven, aims to defend his heavyweight title against former light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov.
Verhoeven has dominated the GLORY heavyweight division since claiming the title by defeating Daniel Ghita at GLORY 17 in 2014. He remains undefeated in the organization since then, holding a record of eight non-title wins and twelve successful title defenses.
His opponent, former light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov, is returning to kickboxing following a brief stint in MMA. During his time in mixed martial arts, he earned a UFC contract through Dana White`s Contender Series and seemed poised for a potential octagon clash with his old rival, Alex Pereira.
However, reports on March 25, 2025, indicated that Vakhitov declined his UFC contract and re-signed with GLORY. This move sets the stage for him to potentially achieve significant glory by challenging and defeating the long-reigning heavyweight king.
To achieve this, Vakhitov must navigate Verhoeven`s considerable physical advantages. Standing 6`5″ with a 77-inch reach, Verhoeven is a master of distance management, using exceptional footwork to control the ring and pressure opponents before employing punishing leg kicks to open the door for his potent knockout power.
Vakhitov will need to apply pressure from the start and utilize his sharp boxing skills to break through the towering Dutchman`s guard. A Master of Sport in Muay Thai, Vakhitov possesses some of the most effective leg kicks in GLORY. However, it`s his seamless integration of these kicks into his boxing combinations that truly distinguishes him, ending crisp punching sequences with devastating low kicks that wear down opponents.
With the next stage of the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament also featured on the card, the winner of the main event might already be eyeing their potential future opponent from the contenders competing earlier in the night. Fighters like Rajabzadeh, Azizpour, and Caceres represent intriguing fresh matchups for either man. Since the tournament finals aren`t scheduled until December, it allows ample time for the winner to recover before potentially facing the next challenger in a highly anticipated year-end showdown.
Tarik Khbabez vs. Sergej Maslobojev — GLORY Light Heavyweight Title Fight
In the co-main event, Light Heavyweight Champion Tarik Khbabez aims to settle a past rivalry as he faces former champion Sergej Maslobojev.
`The Tank` is coming off a busy 2024 campaign, highlighted by a trilogy of fights against another former light heavyweight champion, Donegi Abena. Khbabez emerged with two wins and one loss in that series, ultimately ending the year with the GLORY title.
Maslobojev`s 2024 was equally active, securing four victories against opponents such as Bogdan Stoica and Stefan Latescu, with his only loss coming against Bahram Rajabzadeh in the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finals.
Calf kicks are a signature weapon for Tarik Khbabez. Not only are they powerful enough to potentially end a fight, but they are also crucial in setting up his relentless boxing attack. `The Tank` always throws with maximum force. Once he closes the distance, he charges forward, unleashing his powerful right hand and incorporating hooks and uppercuts to the body and head to secure victories.
Despite turning 38 just weeks before this bout, Sergej Maslobojev continues to perform at a high level, with his deceptive speed being a key asset. This speed allows him to fight effectively from range and capitalize on counter-striking opportunities, frequently responding to his opponent`s attacks with rapid multi-punch combinations.
This matchup features two top contenders with contrasting styles that should create an engaging contest, as Khbabez`s aggressive pressure is likely to test Maslobojev`s smoother, technical kickboxing. The light heavyweight title has seen frequent changes since Artem Vakhitov`s initial reign. Now, these two fighters have the opportunity to establish themselves as the division`s dominant force.
Donovan Wisse vs. Michael Boapeah — GLORY Middleweight Title Fight
Donovan Wisse, named 2023 GLORY Fighter of the Year, begins his 2025 campaign against a familiar opponent, welcoming former title challenger Michael Boapeah back to the middleweight division.
Frustrated by a lack of opportunities in the middleweight division, Boapeah moved up to light heavyweight at the start of 2025. He secured stoppage wins over ranked opponents Ibrahim El Bouni (number ten) and Stefan Latescu (number six), proving himself a viable contender in both weight classes.
Wisse added to his title defense count in 2024 with wins against ranked contenders Ulric Bokeme and Sergej Braun. However, his victories didn`t deter Boapeah, who consistently called him out, even labeling the long-reigning champion a `wasteman`.
Ultimately, trash talk doesn`t win fights, and Donovan Wisse has a proven track record of winning. With a professional record of 22-1, Wisse`s fluid and technical style has been the bedrock of his current eleven-fight winning streak within GLORY.
In his last fight against Sergej Braun, Wisse`s patient yet effective jab was instrumental. He used it to control distance and consistently push his German opponent back throughout the five rounds.
Boapeah, in contrast, is relentlessly forward-pressing. He marches opponents down, throwing every strike with full force. Once he senses weakness, `The Timebomb` becomes explosive, seeking to land a fight-ending blow.
History is at stake in this middleweight title clash. A victory for Wisse would see him surpass Alex Pereira`s five title defenses, making him the sole record holder for the division. If Boapeah wins, he would become the first African fighter to capture the Middleweight title and only the second African fighter ever to hold an undisputed GLORY championship.
Petchpanomrung vs. Miguel Trindade — GLORY Featherweight Title Fight
Following a split decision victory for Petchpanomrung in the GLORY X RISE Grand Prix final, a rematch against Miguel Trindade felt like the only logical next step for the pound-for-pound king.
Apart from an unsuccessful move up to Lightweight against Tyjani Beztati, where he was stopped by a front kick, the Thai fighter has been flawless in GLORY since unifying the featherweight title against Robin van Roosmalen at GLORY 59.
True to traditional Thai boxing, Petchpanomrung possesses a devastating low kick that he uses to debilitate opponents. With seemingly endless stamina, he can relentlessly target Trindade`s legs throughout the fight.
Trindade is known for never shying away from a tough fight and possesses the power to end the bout with a single strike. His 72% knockout ratio is a testament to the potent power of the Portuguese fighter, proving he must be taken seriously.
Despite having only 21 professional fights, Trindade appears remarkably composed and effective against significantly more experienced adversaries. He displayed no hesitation when facing Petchpanomrung, a seasoned Thai veteran boasting over 200 career bouts.
The champion`s punishing body kicks were something Trindade experienced extensively in their previous encounter. Petchpanomrung used these kicks not just to score points but also to disrupt Trindade`s rhythm and balance with every shot to the midsection.
Having won their previous meeting just six months prior, Petchpanomrung enters this fight as the favorite, brimming with confidence as he seeks his ninth featherweight title defense. Conversely, Miguel Trindade has used that time to train rigorously, analyze his errors, and fuel his desire to avenge the loss and claim the belt from Petch.
Similar to the heavyweight division, the featherweight division will also host a Grand Prix later this year, with the initial rounds starting on June 21. Given the competitive nature of both Petchpanomrung and Trindade, it`s conceivable they could enter the tournament at a later stage, potentially facing top contenders from both GLORY and RISE once again.
Jack Thornley 
Oliver Croft