GLORY returns this weekend with another thrilling event, as GLORY 96 is set to take Rotterdam by storm. The card will feature not one, not two, but three champions competing. Let’s take a closer look at the action ahead.
TITLE FIGHTS
Welterweight: Chico Kwasi (43-5) vs. Tyjani Beztati (27-4)
The main event of GLORY 96 is a mouth-watering clash that sees Welterweight champion Chico Kwasi make his first title defense against longtime Lightweight king Tyjani Beztati.
Kwasi won the belt back at GLORY 91 with an excellent performance knocking out reigning champion Endy Semeleer in the second round. Now undefeated in his time with GLORY, Kwasi has beaten the very best the division has had to offer on the way to his title shot and will be looking to replicate his predecessor with a similarly long title reign. Yet his opponent will be someone who has barely fought in the Welterweight division, yet is possibly more worthy of a title shot than anyone.
Tyjani Beztati has been the Lightweight king of GLORY for some time now, winning the belt back at GLORY 80. Making 4 defences of his title against the very best fighters in the organisation, including a champion against champion bout versus Featherweight king Petchpanomrung, Beztati solidified his grip on the division and earned himself a chance to move up a weight class with a fight against former welterweight champion Endy Semeleer for the number one contender status. Beztati put in an excellent showing against the former champion and rightfully earned himself a crack at gold.
Middleweight: Donovan Wisse (21-1) vs. Sergej Braun (44-13)
The middleweight belt will also be getting defended at GLORY 96 as Donovan Wisse looks set to make his sixth defence of the belt he won against Yousri Belgaroui at GLORY 78. Wisse has looked untouchable during his time as Middleweight champion and has truly cemented his place as the best Middleweight on the planet regardless of the organisation.
His opponent Sergej Braun will be hoping to be the one to end Wisse's seemingly invincible at the top of the pile at 85 kg and will be hoping to gain in confidence following his win against Mohamed Touchassie at GLORY 92. Wisse certainly has the higher pedigree of the two fighters however Braun should not be underestimated and with 27 KO’s to his name clearly has the power to cause Wisse problems if he manages to connect.
MAIN CARD
Heavyweight: Nabil Khachab (28-5) vs. Bugra Tugay (18-4)
Nabil Khachab has somewhat under the radar in recent times yet has been proving that he is among the best heavyweights that GLORY has to offer. Going 3-1 in his last 4 outings with his only defeat coming to king Rico Verhoeven, Khachab is more than a match for almost any opponent in the Heavyweight division, combining his massive size with a surprising amount of speed, athleticism and agility makes for a deadly combination which has proven too much to handle for many fighters.
His opponent Bugra Tugay will be making his debut under the GLORY banner however coming in with a record of 18-4 clearly the Turk is a capable fighter in his own right. While he will certainly be the underdog against Khachab, the chance to claim one of the biggest scalps the division has to offer is an opportunity that should not be wasted.
Middleweight: Michael Boapeah (18-4) vs. Mohamed Touchassie (16-2)
Michael Boapeah has been the seemingly second best fighter at middleweight for an extended period now and it’s reasonable to say that if not for the existence of Donovan Wisse, Boapeah would be champ. Beating every other contender in the division, Boapeah came up short in his shot against Wisse at Collision 6 almost a year ago. Since then he has been beating any who try to take his number one contender spot away from him. A win over Touchassie would make a three fight unbeaten streak and surely make him next in line for a rematch with the champion.
Mohamed Touchassie will be looking to get back in the winners column after a defeat in his last outing to Sergej Braun. A win over Boapeah would practically guarantee him a title shot or at the very least a number one contender bout. Massive for the weight class he will look to implement his size and power in an attempt to overpower Boapeah.
Middleweight: Iliass Hammouche (34-6) vs. Mihalio Culafic (36-12)
Another fight in the middleweight division, though not with the same effect on the rankings at stake. Iliass Hammouche will be looking to stake his claim as an up and coming contender with a win at GLORY 96.
Emerging victorious in his first two fights with the promotion a win here would see him on a three fight win streak and surely next would be a fight against one of the bigger names of the weight class such as Boapeah, Touchassie or Braun. Standing in his way will be GLORY debutant Mihalio Culafic who will be looking to start his life in GLORY with a bang and get the win at GLORY 96.
Featherweight: Denis Wosik (39-8) vs. Bobo Sacko (76-6)
A potential fight of the night contender here, a match up between two ranked Featherweights which is sure to deliver. Denis Wosik sits at No. 3 in the rankings following two back to back wins against highly rated fighters Berjan Peposhi and Jan Kaffa. Now 4-1 in the promotion Wosik is really cementing his place as a top Featherweight and with champion Petchpanomrung always looking for new challengers it is not ridiculous to imagine Wosik being given a title shot should he get the win at GLORY 96.
Bobo Sacko comes into his second GLORY fight already looking like a problem in the division. A very experienced fighter with a record of 76-6, Sacko made his debut in GLORY last April picking up a first round knockout over David Mejia. With 30 knockouts to his name, Sacko is a powerful force in the Featherweight division and has a chance to propel himself into the title picture should he replicate a similar performance against Denis Wosik.
Welterweight: Hamicha (41-2) vs. Calmente Mendes (7-0)
A welterweight bout to open up the main card sees GLORY legend Hamicha return to the ring. Originally meant to be the co-main event at GLORY 95, the return was postponed slightly, yet the undefeated Moroccan will be making his return at GLORY 96 in Rotterdam.
5-0 in the promotion with 4 victories coming by way of knockout. With a win against undefeated prospect Calmente Mendes, expect to see him up against Kwasi or Beztati in the near future.
