Glory (kickboxing)
Glory, formerly ‘Glory World Series’ is an international combat sports league based in the United Kingdom. It is owned by Pierre Andurand, Yao Capital, Scott Rudmann and other investors.
Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Kickboxing |
Founded | 2012 |
Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Key people | Pierre Andurand (Chairman), Scott Rudmann (Vice-Chairman), Robbie Timmers (Matchmaker) |
Owner | GSUKCO Limited |
Website | www |
Background edit
When K-1 began suffering from extreme financial difficulties in 2011, Total Sports Asia, TSA CEO Marcus Luer, Pierre Andurand, and Scott Rudmann of Nectar Capital attempted to buy the brand. K-1 was instead sold to Mike Kim and EMCOM Entertainment Inc.
In the aftermath, Pierre Andurand, Scott Rudmann and TSA decided to start a brand new kickboxing promotion and acquired United Glory, Golden Glory,[1] and It's Showtime to secure a top event production team and contracts to each promotion's top fighters. Forming the Glory World Series, Pierre Andurand was named Chairman and Rudmann was named vice-chairman.[2] A number of people formerly involved with these three entities event became Glory consultants.[3]
Glory World Series signed most of the world's top kickboxers, such as Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Semmy Schilt, Gokhan Saki, Daniel Ghiţă, Albert Kraus, and Giorgio Petrosyan.
History edit
The company includes a mix of entrepreneurs and senior level executives from different environments.[4] The company's current investors include Pierre Andurand, Scott Rudmann and Nectar Capital and Yao Capital. Former investors have been Liberty Global, and TwinFocus Capital Partners.[5]
In February 2013, Glory announced that former WWE Executive VP Andrew Whitaker had been hired as the global CEO of Glory Sports International.[6] In August, 2014 Andrew Whitaker moved into an advisory role within GLORY and Jon J. Franklin was appointed as the new CEO.[7]
In 2018, Glory announced that former CEO Jon J. Franklin had moved to the role of Chief Development Officer, and former UFC executive Marshall Zelaznik had been hired as the new CEO.[8]
On May 15, 2020, Glory announced Zelaznik had resigned as Glory CEO.[9]
On May 26, 2020, Glory Sports International went into receivership, and soon after ownership of Glory was transferred to London-based GSUKCO Limited.[10]
Rudmann is the Executive Vice-Chairman, running the league since it was taken over by GSUKCO.
Media coverage edit
In June 2013, after having its first U.S. event in New York, Glory 9: New York on June 22, 2013, Spike TV signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast Glory kickboxing events; their partnership began with Glory 11: Chicago on October 12 of that year. The broadcast deal with Spike was extended in May 2014 to cover 2015.[11]
In February 2016, Glory CEO Jon J. Franklin announced a new multi-year deal with ESPN.[12]
Glory was broadcast on Veronica TV in the Netherlands from July, 2018 to February, 2020.[13][14][15]
Beginning in 2019, Glory initiated a partnership with the UFC for the former's events to be exclusively carried in the U.S by UFC Fight Pass.[16] The first event to be broadcast as part of this partnership was Glory 63: Houston on February 1 and the last event was Glory 75: Utrecht on February 29, 2020.
Events from Glory 76 to Glory 80 Studio were available through pay-per-view.
28 June 2022 Glory announced a multi-year broadcast deal with Videoland in the Netherlands. The deal covers all Glory events starting from Glory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuyi 2.[17] 16 August 2022 Glory announced a multi-year broadcast deal with Viaplay in Poland.[18][19] 5 October 2022 Glory announced a multi-year broadcast deal with TV3 in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.[20]
Glory Rivals edit
In January 2022 Glory announced a new series of events called Glory Rivals, jointly promoted with Enfusion and RISE.[21] The first Rivals event with Enfusion was scheduled for May 21, 2022, at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium. The event was later cancelled due to the finances of Enfusion's local promoter partner Antwerp Fight Organization catching the attention of Belgian authorities.[22]
Glory Rivals 1 was instead held on June 11, 2022 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. In the main event Luis Tavares defeated Florent Kaouachi by knockout in the third round.[23]
Glory Rivals 2 was held on September 17, 2022 in Alkmaar, Netherlands.[24]
Glory Rivals 3 was organized at Sporthallen Zuid in Amsterdam on November 5, 2022. Ibrahim El Bouni defeated Muhammed Balli by knock-out in the first round.
Glory Rivals 4 took place on December 25th at Ryogoku Sumo Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Kento Haraguchi defeated Serhii Adamchuk by unanimous decision.
GLORY Rivals 5 was organized on January 28, 2023, at Zamna Tulum Hotel in Tulum, Mexico, in collaboration with War of Nations. Abraham Vidales defeated Tomás Aguirre by Unanimous Decision.
Roster edit
Events edit
Glory events edit
United Glory events edit
# | Event | Date | Venue | Location | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 | United Glory 15: Glory World Series | March 23, 2012 | Dynamo Sports Palace | Moscow, Russia | |
17 | United Glory 14: 2010-2011 World Series Finals | May 28, 2011 | Moscow Forum Hall | Moscow, Russia | |
16 | United Glory 13: 2010-2011 World Series Semifinals | March 19, 2011 | Spiroudome | Charleroi, Belgium | |
15 | United Glory 12: 2010-2011 World Series Quarterfinals | October 16, 2010 | Passenger Terminal | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
14 | United Glory: Upcoming Glory 7 | March 27, 2010 | Sportstudio H&A | Deventer, Netherlands | |
13 | United Glory 11: A Decade of Fights | October 17, 2009 | Passenger Terminal | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
12 | United Glory: Upcoming Glory 5 | June 27, 2009 | Sportstudio H&A | Deventer, Netherlands | |
11 | United Glory 10: The Battle of Arnhem | November 9, 2008 | Rijnhal | Arnhem, Netherlands | |
10 | United Glory 9: Swiss Las Vegas | August 2, 2008 | Markthalle | Basel, Switzerland | |
9 | United Glory 8 | July 6, 2008 | Triavium | Nijmegen, Netherlands | |
8 | United Glory: Upcoming Glory 2 | February 24, 2008 | Zalencentrum de Kei | Ede, Netherlands | |
7 | United Glory 7 | January 20, 2008 | De Flint | Utrecht, Netherlands | |
6 | United Glory 6: Ede's Best Against the Rest | November 17, 2007 | Reehorst Sports Hall | Ede, Netherlands | |
5 | United Glory 5: Stronger | September 9, 2007 | De Flint | Utrecht, Netherlands | |
4 | United Glory 4: 20 Year Anniversary | September 2, 2007 | Hof van Salland | Diepenveen, Netherlands | |
3 | United Glory 3: Upside Down | May 20, 2007 | De Flint | Utrecht, Netherlands | |
2 | United Glory 2 | January 21, 2007 | De Flint | Utrecht, Netherlands | |
1 | United Glory 1 | September 17, 2006 | Sporthal de Zielhorst | Utrecht, Netherlands |
Champions edit
Current champions edit
Division | Upper weight limit | Champion | Since | Title defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
Heavyweight | Unlimited | Rico Verhoeven | June 21, 2014 | 11 |
Light Heavyweight | 95 kg (209.4 lb) | Donegi Abena | February 11, 2023 | 1 |
Tarik Khbabez (interim) | June 17, 2023 | 0 | ||
Middleweight | 85 kg (187.4 lb) | Donovan Wisse | September 4, 2021 | 3 |
Welterweight | 77 kg (169.8 lb) | Endy Semeleer | November 19, 2022 | 2 |
Lightweight | 70 kg (154.3 lb) | Tyjani Beztati | September 4, 2021 | 4 |
Featherweight | 65 kg (143.3 lb) | Petchpanomrung Kiatmookao | September 29, 2018 | 6 |
Women's Super Bantamweight | 55 kg (121.3 lb) | Vacant |
Indicates former interim champions.
Indicates current lineal and interim champions.
Glory Heavyweight Championship edit
Weight limit: Unlimited
Glory Light Heavyweight Championship edit
Weight limit: 95 kg (209.4 lb)
Glory Middleweight Championship edit
Weight limit: 85 kg (187.4 lb)
Glory Welterweight Championship edit
Weight limit: 77 kg (169.8 lb)
Glory Lightweight Championship edit
Weight limit: 70 kg (154.3 lb)
Glory Featherweight Championship edit
Weight limit: 65 kg (143.3 lb)
Glory Women's Super Bantamweight Championship edit
Weight limit: 55 kg (121.3 lb)
Tournament champions edit
Contender Tournament champions edit
Qualification Tournament winners edit
Weight Class | Champion | Runner-up | Event | Date | Tournament Bracket |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 Glory Heavyweight Qualification Tournament | Xavier Vigney | Chi Lewis Parry | Glory 21: San Diego | May 8, 2015 | 2015 Glory Heavyweight Qualification Tournament bracket |
2015 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament | Dustin Jacoby | Casey Greene | Glory 23: Las Vegas | August 7, 2015 | 2015 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament bracket |
2016 Glory Welterweight Qualification Tournament | Richard Abraham | Francois Ambang | Glory 30: Los Angeles | May 13, 2016 | 2016 Glory Welterweight Qualification Tournament bracket |
2017 Glory Featherweight Qualification Tournament | Chenglong Zhang | Masaya Kubo | Glory 46: China | October 14, 2017 | 2017 Glory Featherweight Qualification Tournament bracket |
2017 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament | Robert Thomas | Mike Lemaire | Glory 48: New York | December 1, 2017 | 2017 Middleweight Qualification Tournament bracket |
2018 Glory Lightweight Qualification Tournament | Liu Xu | Wensheng Zhang | Glory 57: Shenzhen | August 25, 2018 | 2018 Glory Lightweight Qualification Tournament bracket |
Road to Glory Tournament champions edit
Weight Class | Champion | Runner-up | Event | Date | Tournament Bracket |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Road to Glory USA 95 kg Tournament | Dustin Jacoby | Brian Collette | Road to Glory USA 95 kg Tournament | February 2, 2013 | |
Road to Glory USA 85 kg Tournament | Mike Lemaire | Eddie Walker | Road to Glory USA 85 kg Tournament | February 9, 2013 | |
Road to Glory Japan 65 kg Tournament | Masaaki Noiri | Yuki | Road to Glory Japan 65 kg Tournament | March 10, 2013 | |
Road to Glory USA 77 kg Tournament | Francois Ambang | Brett Hlavacek | Road to Glory USA 77 kg Tournament | March 22, 2013 | |
Road to Glory Japan 85 kg Tournament | Kengo Shimizu | Magnum Sakai | Road to Glory Japan 85 kg Tournament | May 3, 2013 | |
Road to Glory USA 70 kg Tournament | Michael Mananquil | Troy Sheridan | 2013 Road to Glory USA 70 kg Tournament | May 11, 2013 | |
Road to Glory USA Heavyweight Tournament | Xavier Vigney | Maurice Green | Road to Glory USA Heavyweight Tournament | June 14, 2013 | |
Road to Glory UK 65 kg Tournament | Mo Abdurahman | Bailey Sugden | Road to Glory UK 65 kg Tournament | March 11, 2017 |
Multi-division champions edit
Fighters who have won championships in multiple weight classes (excluding tournament champions).
- Robin van Roosmalen - Won Glory Lightweight Championship on November 7, 2014, then Glory Featherweight Championship on October 21, 2016.
- Alex Pereira - Won Glory Middleweight Championship on October 14, 2017, then Glory Light Heavyweight Championship on January 30, 2021.
Notable fighters edit
Featherweight edit
Lightweight edit
- Chingiz Allazov
- Dzhabar Askerov
- Shemsi Beqiri
- Alessandro Campagna
- Sanny Dahlbeck
- Johann Fauveau
- Marat Grigorian
- Hinata
- Ky Hollenbeck
- Davit Kiria
- Albert Kraus
- Anatoly Moiseev
- Steve Moxon
- Giorgio Petrosyan
- Łukasz Pławecki
- Andy Ristie
- Robin van Roosmalen
- Dylan Salvador
- Simón Santana
- Yoshihiro Sato
- Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong
- Warren Stevelmans
- Jordan Watson
- Bruno Gazani
- Tyjani Beztati
- Enriko Kehl
Welterweight edit
- Marc de Bonte
- Roberto Cocco
- Raymond Daniels
- Murat Direkçi
- Cedric Doumbe
- Karim Ghajji
- Harut Grigorian
- Murthel Groenhart
- Nieky Holzken
- Paweł Jędrzejczyk
- Karapet Karapetyan
- Yoann Kongolo
- Artur Kyshenko
- Yohan Lidon
- Thiago Michel
- Alim Nabiev
- Antoine Pinto
- Thongchai Sitsongpeenong
- Alexander Stetsurenko
- Chad Sugden
- Alex Tobiasson Harris
- Joseph Valtellini