Latest news with #GloryKickboxing
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 68 video: Dustin Jacoby throws caution to wind, wildly knocks out Bruno Lopes
UFC on ESPN 68 video: Dustin Jacoby throws caution to wind, wildly knocks out Bruno Lopes Dustin Jacoby prioritized violence over technique at the UFC Apex on Saturday. On the UFC on ESPN 68 main card, Jacoby (21-9-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) knocked out Bruno Lopes (14-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) with a swarming attack for a stoppage at : of Round 1. Jacoby, 37, has now won back-to-back fights inside the distance. The former Glory Kickboxing title challenger has 14 knockouts in 21 victories. Lopes, 32, has a three-fight winning steak snapped. Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 68 results:
Morocco World
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Jamal Ben Seddik Defeats Ristea in Heavyweight Tournament
Moroccan kickboxer Jamal Ben Seddik has punched his way into the semi-finals of Glory 99 against Romania's Cristian Ristea on Saturday evening, to move to the second round of Glory's 'Last Man Standing' heavyweight tournament. After the fight, an emotional Ben Seddik addressed his fans: 'Thank God for this victory. Thank you to all my brothers and sisters, especially in Morocco. Long live Morocco, and may God protect His Majesty the King.' The 33-year-old will now face French-Algerian fighter Sofian Laïdouni in June, a match that will require competitors to fight twice in one evening. 'I hope to see you all in June,' added Ben Seddik. 'Especially Moroccans—it's two fights in one night, and I'll need your support.' Speaking about his next opponent, Ben Seddik was complimentary: 'He's a skilled fighter who has proven himself. I'm looking forward to June.' Ben Seddik, a regular contender in international kickboxing circuits, remains one of Morocco's most prominent athletes in the sport. The Last Man Standing tournament is a high-profile heavyweight competition organized by Glory Kickboxing, one of the leading promotions in the sport. The format is designed to test both skill and endurance: fighters must compete in multiple bouts in a single evening, with winners of the first round advancing to a second fight later that same night. The tournament concludes at Glory 100, scheduled for next June, and offers both financial rewards and potential progression toward a Glory Heavyweight World Title opportunity. Tags: Ben SeddikGlory 99Kickboxing
Forbes
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
DWCS Winner Artem Vakhitov Turns Down UFC Contract Offer
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Artem Vakhitov of Russia prepares to face Islem Masraf of Algeria in ... More a light heavyweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series season eight, week nine at UFC APEX on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) When Artem Vakhitov's name appeared on a Dana White's Contender Series card in October 2024, fight fans raised their eyebrows. Vakhitov came to the DWCS with a stellar combat sports pedigree. The 33-year-old was a two-time Glory Kickboxing champion and a muay Thai world champion. He was also the fighter who former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira lost to in his final Glory Kickboxing contest before Pereira moved to MMA full-time in 2021 after defeating Vakhitov earlier that same year. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Artem Vakhitov of Russia punches Islem Masraf of Algeria in a light ... More heavyweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series season eight, week nine at UFC APEX on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Vakhitov scored a first-round TKO win during his DWCS appearance, stopping Islem Masraf at the 4:23 mark of Round 1. At the time of his win, I wrote of Vakhitov: "The main appeal of this fight was that Artem Vakhitov was the last man to defeat current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in a kickboxing match. Vakhitov did not have much to offer in the clinch, but when he was able to get distance on Islem Masraf, he showed his power and closed out the light heavyweight fight in the first round. 'I'm not sure if Vakhitov, with just four pro fights, none of which have left the first round, is ready for UFC competition yet, but he did what he needed to do on Tuesday night.' As for UFC CEO Dana White, he offered the following on Vakhitov: 'So, this was an interesting fight. (There was) More clinching than I expected, and you obviously got the job done, you got the finish, and I actually called Alex (Pereira, who was in attendance at the UFC Apex that night) with me to talk about this fight and your win. Obviously you have a ton of experience. You got like 30 pro fights, not including MMA, and Alex said you absolutely, positively deserve a shot in the UFC.' White's words brought a smile to Vakhitov's face that night. That smile did not last long. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Artem Vakhitov of Russia reacts after a knockout victory against ... More Islem Masraf of Algeria in a light heavyweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series season eight, week nine at UFC APEX on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) 'I was elated when I won my fight in DWCS and got the contract,' Vakhitov told MMA Junkie in a written statement via a translator. 'Alex was ringside. We all talked afterwards, and it looked like the trilogy fight was a real possibility if I next went into the UFC and won a fight or two. '… Unfortunately, when it came time to make the UFC contract, it transpired that the UFC has very strict conditions regarding fighters who come through DWCS. According to UFC protocols, they were not able to offer me more than the standard contract offered to all fighters who progress through this show. … My team attempted to negotiate, but the UFC rules were strict, and no changes were possible.' From what we know from athletic commission disclosed UFC payouts, a DWCS contract usually starts with the fighter making $10,000 in show money with another $10,000 if they win their first fight under that deal. The pay increases from there. MMA Junkie added that the UFC can opt to use 'a clause the promotion can activate, which would automatically put a selected fighter on a 20-month, four-fight deal" when it comes to DWCS contracts. 'I do not wish to appear arrogant regarding this contract,' Vakhitov added. 'I understand they have their rules, and I respect that, but I am a prizefighter. I have daughters to provide for and a short window of opportunity. It would have been a great dream to enter the UFC, but I could not justify the loss of earnings this contract would represent. And so we had to respectfully decline. But all of our dealings were pleasant, and perhaps in the future we will talk again.' LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Artem Vakhitov of Russia punches Islem Masraf of Algeria in a light ... More heavyweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series season eight, week nine at UFC APEX on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) 'The UFC position was that all fighters coming through Dana White Contender Series receive the same contract with standard terms and conditions,' Andrey Busygin told MMA Junkie in a written statement. 'Personally I felt this was unfair to Artem, given his achievements in combat sports and having the same level as Alex at the time he entered the UFC. But rules are rules. I understand.' 'We had to decline signing this agreement,' Busygin said. 'It's a shame, but there are no hard feelings. We respect their position, and they respect ours. We had very pleasant negotiations with (UFC chief business officer) Hunter (Campbell) and his team. We are disappointed, of course, that we now won't get the trilogy between Artem and Alex in the octagon, but we've moved on to other targets now. There is a huge fight coming up, so this trilogy fight will have to wait.' With the UFC no longer in the picture, Vakhitov is returning to Glory Kickboxing. His most recent contest for that promotion was a February 2023 defense of his heavyweight title against Pascal Touré. He won that fight via decision. Vakhitov earned the heavyweight belt in September with his decision win over Pereira. Pereira took the light heavyweight crown from Vakhitov in January 2021 with a split-decision win. Vakhitov faces Rico Verhoeven in the main event of Glory 100. That fight card takes place June 14 in the Netherlands. 'That's a fight I've always wanted,' Vakhitov said of Verhoven. 'I have been calling for that fight since 2017. Nobody wanted to fight Rico. They call him 'The King' because he has ruled that division for so long. But I really believed myself to be the best pound-for-pound kickboxer in Glory, and my opinion hasn't changed. Maybe the king is finally ready to meet the tsar.' LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Artem Vakhitov of Russia reacts after being awarded a UFC contract ... More during Dana White's Contender Series season eight, week nine at UFC APEX on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Despite moving on from the DWCS deal, Vakhitov's manager left the door open for a UFC deal in the future. 'We had to decline signing this agreement,' Busygin said. 'It's a shame, but there are no hard feelings. We respect their position, and they respect ours. We had very pleasant negotiations with (UFC chief business officer) Hunter (Campbell) and his team. We are disappointed, of course, that we now won't get the trilogy between Artem and Alex in the octagon, but we've moved on to other targets now. There is a huge fight coming up, so this trilogy fight will have to wait.' We will have coverage of Artem Vakhitov's Glory Kickboxing return when Glory 100 takes place.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 313 predictions, odds, full card breakdown: Is Magomed Ankalaev Alex Pereira's biggest light heavyweight threat?
UFC 313 brings the action back to Las Vegas on Saturday with a long-awaited matchup between the light heavyweight division's two best fighters. Since joining the UFC in November 2021, Alex Pereira has become one of the most magnetic figures in MMA. His days at middleweight feel like a decade ago, but that's because of how quickly he captured the title at 205 pounds, then logged three straight title defenses in 2024. For Pereira to claim a fourth defense in less than one full year, he must overcome arguably his most formidable opponent to date: The near flawless top contender Magomed Ankalaev. Had things played out slightly differently three years ago when Ankalaev fought for vacant gold against Jan Blachowicz, he'd be champion and this matchup might have come much sooner. But the well-rounded Dagestani got back to his winning ways after that controversial split draw and now gets his second crack at gold. In the co-main event, one of the most exciting fighters of all time is back. Justin Gaethje unfortunately lost his initial opponent, Dan Hooker, due to a broken hand, but the always-game Rafael Fiziev was waiting in the wings and stepped into this rematch of a fight he lost narrowly two years ago. Overall, UFC 313 isn't a card that will blow your hair back, but it has some fights throughout that are well worth the attention, with high stakes and future implications. The top two, however are what everyone should be circling. Let's break it all down. Betting odds courtesy of BetMGM. UFC 313's main event brings a rare "moment of truth" vibe for each combatant. Immediately upon fully committing to MMA in 2020, Pereira was one of the best strikers in MMA thanks to his status as a former Glory Kickboxing dual-division champion. The champion's technique and set-ups are second to none, accompanied by an impossible left hook. "Nuclear" doesn't do Pereira's power justice. Because of that, his opponents often get hypnotized into becoming primal cavemen. The light heavyweight division couldn't be more "macho" in this current era. No one — it doesn't matter how talented they are as a striker — should try to beat Pereira on the feet. Yet all of his 205-pound opponents (minus Jan Blachowicz) have attempted it, and all failed. As much as the ego is a valuable tool in MMA, it can also be your worst enemy, as challengers like Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree all found out. It's an interesting case with Ankalaev. He doesn't lean on his wrestling as frequently or heavily as his fellow Dagestani greats, but he is undoubtedly one of the best in that category at light heavyweight. Ankalaev has become an overall well-rounded fighter, leaning only on his superior asset as a back-up plan. That was on display in his first title opportunity against Blachowicz. After heavy kicks chewed his leg early, Ankalaev resorted to takedowns to even the score. Ultimately, it led him to a split draw rather than what should have arguably been a win. The point is, Ankalaev can do it all. Despite that, he has still teased the possibility that he might hunt for a knockout against Pereira. He's focused on striking in his fights since Blachowicz, which suggests he might be telling the truth. Then again, the dude was just doing whatever he could to get another shot. This is a desperate time for Ankalaev, who, if he loses, may not get another shot for years, regardless of how many wins he puts together. He's not a brawler. He'll look to jab his way in and back up Pereira to avoid those devastating leg kicks. Every strike thrown by the Dagestani will be to set up his wrestling in this one, leading him to a clinical five-round victory. Pereira needs to at least think about being wrestled. Ankalaev will be too smart not to mix it up. If Ankalaev does ignore attempts to grapple? Well, then Prochazka might have been right to suggest that Pereira is using some type of otherworldly black magic on these guys. Pick: Ankalaev Where has the faith in Gaethje gone? The general sentiment is that the knockout loss to Max Holloway changed "The Highlight" for good. But that ideas has been thrown around after practically every war Gaethje's been in, which is almost every fight, so I'm not sold on that until I see it. I'd be more inclined to like Fiziev's chances if he'd had a full training camp ahead of this fight. He put up a great effort in their first encounter at UFC 286 in 2023, and has admitted to getting caught up in the moment as the fight went on. Fiziev hasn't fought since the end of that year, and now finds himself in his first fight back on a surgically repaired ACL. Fiziev's speed is one of his best attributes and it seems to fluster everyone he faces. Even Gaethje struggled with it before getting Fiziev's timing down in the first fight. By the car crash standard of a typical Gaethje fight, that first encounter was very controlled. It takes two to tango, of course, but he's being unjustifiably overlooked here after Holloway's perfect night. Even in that fight, Gaethje found his shots, dropping Holloway at one point. The man will catch his opponents, and unless they're freaks like Holloway, surviving — and winning — is rare. Ultimately, the circumstances and the short notice are what hurt Fiziev the most in this rematch. Pick: Gaethje Jalin Turner lost more than Renato Moicano won in his last time out. Let's talk about egos some more. Turner had Moicano dead to rights at UFC 300, scoring a brutal near-knockout in the first round. Unfortunately, Turner thought he landed the walk-off finish, letting Moicano off the hook. Moicano rallied, and finished the "Tarantula" with strikes on the ground in the next round. It was a wild sight to see Turner pounded out like he was, but it can probably be attributed more to a demoralizing end to the previous frame. He's been unable to take that next step upward into the land of the elite. It hasn't been without strong efforts though, as Turner lost split-decisions against Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot before demolishing King Green in Texas. Ignacio Bahomondes has shown some serious brilliance with great highlight-reel finishes. He's just yet to do so against similar competition to Turner, who has finished everyone he beats. Turner is as physically imposing as a lightweight could hope to be, and his style should negate the flashiness of Bahomondes, possibly even smothering him if the fight ends up on the mat. Turner is a step up for Bahomondes. And for now, it will be too big for the 27-year-old prospect. Pick: Turner We'll see Iasmin Lucindo challenging for the strawweight title in the very near future if she can get past Amanda Lemos — maybe even this year. Still just 23, Lucindo has become a bona fide contender at 115 pounds and has far more experience than she should for her age. The Brazilian's four-fight winning streak recently extended with her most significant win yet — a split-decision nod over perennial contender Marina Rodriguez. That fight was a great litmus test to see exactly where Lucindo is at this early stage. Truthfully, she's not quite ready, and lost that fight on my cards. That's not to say it wasn't a competitive clash. Lucindo is a thrilling and speedy striker, and she has talent years beyond her experience. Compared to all her UFC opponents thus far, Lemos is the most dangerous foe yet. What Lemos lacks in technique, she makes up for with power and finishing ability on the feet. Attack Lemos and she fires back with heavy hook counters to rattle and disrupt. Lucindo is gradually improving her ground game, but ultimately, Lemos has only been bested by the division's strongest grapplers, while still defeating names like Mackenzie Dern. Lucindo will be around for years to come as a strawweight elite. It's fair to call her one of the 15 best right now, but a matchup like Lemos is one of the more difficult at this juncture. Pick: Lemos The Fighting Nerds can't be stopped. That's really all that needs to be said. King Green is a tailor-made matchup to give Mauricio Ruffy the highlight-reel finish we expected him to have against James Llontop in his last appearance at UFC 309. Instead, Llontop stayed more on the reserved side and displayed his durability as Ruffy teed off for 15 minutes. Green is always down to party and he loves to exchange hands with fellow strong boxers. When power isn't much of a concern coming back his way, Green can thrive. However, Ruffy delivers damage with various attacks, and some of his spinning assaults just missed in the Llontop bout. Green's a weathered veteran; this fight is a case of two men going opposite directions. Ruffy wins without trouble as long as he doesn't get caught being sloppy. Pick: Ruffy Poor Curtis Blaydes and Chris Guttierez go from being Fight Night headliners to lower prelim status after losses. They've each had interesting paths to where they are now, but deliver more often than not with standout performances, especially in spots like these. Josh Van vs. Rei Tsuruya is the one fight to watch out of all the prelims. Meanwhile, PFL outcast Carlos Leal earns himself the super favorite of the card, largely towering over veteran Alex Morono. I'm picking Leal, but those odds are surprising. UFC 313 has some serviceable appetizers before the main card, but nothing is overly "must-see." Quick Picks: Curtis Blaydes (-325) def. Rizvan Kuniev (+260) Josh Van (-200) def. Rei Tsuruya (+165) Brunno Ferreira (+115) def. Armen Petrosyan (-140) Carlos Leal (-800) def. Alex Morono (+550) Francis Marshall (+240) def. Mairon Santos (-300) Chris Gutierrez (-115) def. John Castaneda (-105) Djorden Ribeiro dos Santos (-210) def. Osman Diaz (+170)
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'Show fight' with UFC champion Alex Pereira part of Oleksandr Usyk's two-fight retirement plan
Oleksandr Usyk is interested in fighting one of the UFC's biggest stars. Usyk retained his WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles when he defeated Tyson Fury by unanimous decision this past December in Saudi Arabia. The 37-year-old plans on competing two more times before hanging up his gloves. Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF heavyweight world title against Joseph Parker Feb. 22 in Saudi Arabia. The winner of that fight is the first part of Usyk's retirement plan. The second part involves UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. 'First, is who wins the next fight (Dubois vs. Parker) on Feb. 22,' Usyk told TNT Sports. 'Next? Maybe a show fight with Alex Pereira. Maybe – why not? Alex wants to.' Pereira defends his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 headliner on March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+). Pereira has an extensive amateur boxing background, and boxed once as a professional in July 2017 when he finished Marcelo de Souza Cruz by TKO in Brazil. The former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion has recently expressed interested in lacing up the gloves again. He previously accepted Jake Paul's callout, and put his hand up when UFC CEO Dana White discussed plans of venturing into boxing. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 313.
