GLORY`s landmark 100th event is set to take place live from Rotterdam Ahoy on June 14th. This preview delves into each of the four highly anticipated title fights scheduled for the evening.
Heavyweight Title: Rico Verhoeven vs. Artem Vakhitov
The reigning King of Kickboxing, Rico Verhoeven, prepares to defend his heavyweight crown once more against former light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov.
Verhoeven has been the undisputed face of GLORY`s heavyweight division since capturing the title from Daniel Ghita in 2014. Since that pivotal victory, he has remained undefeated within GLORY, accumulating eight wins outside of title defenses alongside his impressive twelve successful title defenses.
His challenger, Artem Vakhitov, previously held the light heavyweight title. He recently ventured into mixed martial arts, even securing a UFC contract via Dana White`s Contender Series and seemingly paving the way for a potential octagon clash with his old rival, Alex Pereira.
However, reports on March 25, 2025, confirmed Vakhitov declined the UFC offer and re-signed with GLORY. This decision has opened the door for him to potentially etch his name in history by overcoming the long-standing heavyweight king.
To achieve this monumental upset, Vakhitov must overcome Verhoeven`s significant physical advantages. Standing at 6`5″ with a 77” reach, Verhoeven masterfully dictates distance, utilizing exceptional footwork to maneuver opponents before unleashing powerful leg kicks that soften them up for his destructive knockout power.
Vakhitov`s strategy must involve applying immediate pressure and leveraging his boxing skills to penetrate the towering Dutchman`s defenses. As a Master of Sport in Muay Thai, Vakhitov possesses some of the most potent leg kicks in GLORY. What truly distinguishes him is his ability to seamlessly integrate these kicks into his boxing combinations, finishing crisp punches with punishing low kicks that take their toll on any opponent.
With the next phase of the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament occurring on the same card, the winner of the main event might already be scouting potential future opponents from the roster. Fighters like Rajabzadeh, Azizpour, and Caceres represent fresh matchups for either man, and with the tournament finals scheduled for December, there`s ample time for recovery and a potential championship showdown later in the year.
Light Heavyweight Title: Tarik Khbabez vs. Sergej Maslobojev
In the co-main event, Light Heavyweight Champion Tarik Khbabez faces off against former champion Sergej Maslobojev, seeking to settle a past score.
“The Tank” had a busy 2024, highlighted by three fights against another former light heavyweight champion, Donegi Abena. Khbabez secured two victories in this series, ending the year with GLORY gold around his waist.
Maslobojev`s 2024 was equally active, featuring four wins against competitors 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 – they are powerful enough to potentially finish a fight on their own and are crucial in setting up his relentless boxing combinations that descend on opponents like a storm. “The Tank” consistently throws with maximum power. Once within range, he charges forward, unleashing his powerful right hand and mixing in hooks and uppercuts to the body and head to overwhelm his adversaries.
Despite turning 38 just weeks before this bout, Sergej Maslobojev shows no signs of slowing down. His deceptive speed is one of his most valuable assets, essential to his ability to fight effectively at range and capitalize on openings to counter opponents. He often follows his opponent`s strikes with rapid two or three-punch combinations of his own.
These two contenders appear well-matched. Khbabez`s aggressive, non-stop style is likely to bring out the best in Maslobojev`s slicker, more technical kickboxing. The light heavyweight title has not been held by anyone for more than two defenses since Artem Vakhitov`s initial reign. With that era now a distant memory, it`s time for these fighters to make their statement and claim the throne.
Middleweight Title: Donovan Wisse vs. Michael Boapeah
GLORY`s 2023 Fighter of the Year, Donovan Wisse, kicks off his 2025 campaign against a familiar adversary, welcoming former title challenger Michael Boapeah back to the middleweight division.
Frustrated by a perceived lack of activity in his natural weight class, Boapeah moved up to light heavyweight earlier in 2025. There, he secured stoppage victories over ranked opponents Ibrahim El Bouni and Stefan Latescu, establishing himself as a legitimate contender in two divisions.
Wisse continued adding to his title defense record in 2024 with wins over ranked contenders Ulric Bokeme and Sergej Braun. However, his performances didn`t quiet Boapeah, who publicly challenged him at every opportunity, even resorting to calling the long-reigning champion a “wasteman.”
However, trash talk alone doesn`t secure victories, and Donovan Wisse certainly knows how to win. With a professional record of 22-1, Wisse`s smooth and technical style has been the bedrock of his current eleven-fight winning streak under the GLORY banner.
A patient yet damaging jab was key to Wisse`s victory in his last outing against Sergej Braun, allowing him to control space in the ring and consistently push his German opponent backward throughout the five rounds.
Boapeah, in stark contrast, rarely takes a step backward. He relentlessly marches forward, throwing every strike with maximum power. Once he senses an opponent is hurt, “The Timebomb” leaves no room for recovery, aiming to detonate a fight-ending blow.
History is at stake in this middleweight championship clash. A win for Wisse would see him surpass Alex Pereira`s five title defenses, making him the sole record holder for the division. If Boapeah is victorious, he would become the first African fighter to claim the Middleweight title and only the second African fighter overall to win an undisputed GLORY belt.
Featherweight Title: Petchpanomrung vs. Miguel Trindade
Following a closely contested split decision victory for Petchpanomrung in the GLORY X RISE Grand Prix final against Miguel Trindade, an immediate rematch felt like the only logical next step for the pound-for-pound number one fighter.
Aside from an unsuccessful foray into the lightweight division against Tyjani Beztati, where he was defeated by a front kick, the Thai fighter has maintained a perfect record inside the GLORY ropes since unifying the featherweight title against Robin van Roosmalen at GLORY 59.
In classic Thai fashion, Petchpanomrung possesses a formidable low kick that he uses to systematically break down opponents. Combined with seemingly endless endurance, he has all the time in the world to chip away at Trindade`s legs.
Never one to shy away from a brawl, Trindade possesses the power to end the fight prematurely with a single strike. With a 72% knockout ratio, he has definitively proven that Portuguese power is a serious threat.
Despite having only 21 professional fights, Trindade appears remarkably composed when facing significantly more experienced opponents. He showed no hesitation in their previous encounter against Petchpanomrung, a seasoned Thai veteran boasting over 200 professional fights.
The champion`s sharp body kicks were a key factor in their last meeting. Petch used them not only to score points with the judges but also effectively disrupt Trindade`s rhythm, forcing him to constantly regain his balance every time he absorbed one to the midsection.
Knowing he secured the win just six months ago, Petchpanomrung enters this contest as the favorite and brimming with confidence, aiming for his ninth successful featherweight title defense. Miguel Trindade, conversely, has dedicated those six months to intense training, analyzing his previous mistakes, and dwelling on the sting of defeat as motivation to snatch the belt from Petch`s grasp.
Similar to the heavyweight division, the featherweight division will also host a Grand Prix later this year, with the opening rounds beginning on June 21. Given the competitive spirit of both fighters, it`s plausible they could enter at a later stage and once again face the top competitors from both GLORY and RISE.
Ellis Thorne