In the high-stakes world of professional combat sports, strategic decisions by major promotions can either elevate an entire discipline or inadvertently dismantle it. GLORY Kickboxing, a titan in the stand-up fighting arena, finds itself at such a crossroads. Their recent, laser-focused embrace of the heavyweight division, epitomized by the extensive “Last Heavyweight Standing” tournament, is creating ripples far beyond the ring—threatening to alienate top talent in other weight classes and reshape the very landscape of kickboxing.
The Irresistible Allure of Giants
There’s an undeniable magnetism to the heavyweight division. The sheer spectacle of powerful athletes trading thunderous blows has captivated audiences for generations. It’s the “glamour division,” often seen as the ultimate proving ground, and certainly, a major draw for pay-per-view events. GLORY’s investment in the “Last Heavyweight Standing” tournament, spanning five events and culminating in a 2026 title shot against the revered Rico Verhoeven, appears, on the surface, a sound business move designed to capture this market appeal.
However, this singular focus has created a competitive vacuum. With prime card slots and promotional oxygen almost exclusively dedicated to the colossal competitors, other divisions—from the nimble lightweights to the explosive welterweights—are left gasping for air. It’s akin to watering only the tallest tree in an orchard, while the others wither despite their potential to bear equally valuable fruit.
A Roster Unraveling: The Talent Exodus
The consequences of this strategic pivot are already stark. Champions and rising stars, once considered the bedrock of GLORY’s non-heavyweight divisions, are now seeking opportunities elsewhere. Their reasons are clear: a lack of fight offers, diminished exposure, and a pervasive sense of being overlooked.
- Tyjani Beztati, a six-time lightweight champion, has made the jump to MMA, a common refuge for kickboxers seeking more consistent engagements and potentially greater financial rewards.
- Endy Semeleer, a four-time welterweight champion, expresses feeling “abandoned,” a sentiment that speaks volumes about the promotion`s communication and commitment to its non-heavyweight elite.
- Mohamed Touchassie, once touted as the “new Badr Hari” – a moniker that carries immense weight in kickboxing circles – is also stepping away. His grievance isn`t just about sparse fight offers, but also GLORY`s reportedly poor communication, leaving him to discover his absence from fight cards via social media. “That’s not how you treat fighters,” he stated, highlighting a fundamental breakdown in the fighter-promoter relationship.
Trainers, often the fiercest advocates for their protégés, are equally vocal. Said El Badaoui, who has guided legends like Badr Hari and Jamal Ben Saddik, felt compelled to break the silence on behalf of his fighters, lamenting the “short-term thinking” that, in his view, “shortchanges real kickboxing talent.” He didn`t mince words, critiquing the quality of some tournament bouts featuring “guys out of retirement” simply to fill cards.
Maikel Polanen, coach to Endy Semeleer and heavyweight contender Levi Rigters, echoes these concerns. While acknowledging GLORY`s financial contributions, he starkly asserts, “they are ruining careers.” Even Rigters, a heavyweight who arguably benefits from the current focus, is reportedly training MMA, viewing GLORY potentially as a mere stepping stone rather than a career pinnacle.
The Cost of Short-Term Vision: A Legacy at Stake?
The trainers` warnings extend beyond individual careers; they speak to the very health of the sport. “Something will have to change, otherwise the sport is being destroyed,” warns Polanen. This isn`t hyperbole; a robust ecosystem in combat sports requires nurturing talent across all divisions, offering clear pathways to success for aspiring athletes. When young fighters, like the 16- and 17-year-olds in Polanen`s gym, see their idols depart and opportunities dwindle, their dreams of standing in the GLORY ring might, indeed, prematurely fade.
Relying heavily on aging stars and introducing less-known heavyweights, as criticized by Touchassie, might fill immediate card requirements, but it risks diluting the product and failing to cultivate the next generation of marquee names. The risk is that GLORY becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy: by only promoting heavyweights, it implicitly suggests that other divisions lack excitement, thereby diminishing their appeal further.
GLORY`s Response: A Delicate Balancing Act?
GLORY CEO Marshall Zelaznik acknowledges the heavyweight focus, asserting that “there will always be opportunities for other divisions.” He expressed well wishes for departing fighters, emphasizing the organization`s desire for “spectacular fighters” and a commitment to “finding new athletes” and keeping them “busy.”
However, this response, while diplomatic, does little to soothe the anxieties of non-heavyweight divisions. The implication that “spectacular fighters” will always find a spot feels somewhat detached from the reality described by those on the ground—fighters struggling for consistent engagements and clear career progression. It’s a classic corporate tightrope walk: acknowledge the situation without conceding fault, and promise future improvements without concrete immediate solutions.
The Future of GLORY: A Fork in the Road
GLORY Kickboxing stands at a critical juncture. Its strategy has undeniably generated buzz around the heavyweight division, but at a significant cost to its broader talent pool and, potentially, its long-term viability as a diverse combat sports promotion. The exodus of champions isn`t merely a roster reshuffle; it`s a testament to a growing disillusionment with a promotional model perceived as short-sighted and inequitable.
For kickboxing to truly flourish, it needs more than just giants. It requires a vibrant, well-supported ecosystem across all weight classes, where talent is recognized, nurtured, and given the platform it deserves. Whether GLORY can pivot back to this more inclusive vision, or if its “glory” will ultimately be confined to a singular, increasingly isolated heavyweight arena, remains to be seen. The stakes, for the fighters and the sport itself, couldn`t be higher.
Ellis Thorne