- George Chung
- Jan 28
- 2 min read
In a sport defined by epic tournaments, GLORY Kickboxing is about to blow the roof off combat sports history with its boldest endeavor yet: ‘Last Heavyweight Standing.’ This year-long, five-event extravaganza will bring together 32 of the planet's most fearsome heavyweights in a relentless battle for glory, culminating in the biggest heavyweight tournament ever seen.
The action kicks off April 5 at GLORY 99: Last Heavyweight Standing in Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands. The stage is set for a jaw-dropping night of 16 bouts, as fighters from around the globe clash to stake their claim in this once-in-a-lifetime event. But this is just the beginning—across 2025, competitors will face grueling qualifying tournaments and career-defining matchups until only eight warriors remain. These elite finalists will converge in an epic one-night showdown at the end of the year to crown the ultimate heavyweight king.
“This is a tournament like no other,” said GLORY CEO Marshal Zelaznik. “Where else can you watch 32 of the baddest heavyweights on the planet put everything on the line? The ‘Last Heavyweight Standing’ will be a true test of heart and spirit, and it’s going to bring unmatched excitement to fight fans around the world.”
The hype reached a fever pitch earlier today as the first nine fighters were unveiled at a press conference in Amsterdam, and they’re nothing short of spectacular:
Jamal Ben Saddik (36-9, 29 KO): The towering ‘Goliath’ is back after three years, with career wins over Rico Verhoeven and Remy Bonjasky.
Bahram Rajabzadeh (70-4, 61 KO): A wild, unpredictable fan favorite who dazzled in 2024’s Grand Prix events.
Uku Jurjendal (20-9, 16 KO): The Estonian KO artist who recently took down the legendary Badr Hari.
Rade Opacic (21-6, 16 KO): A Serbian powerhouse making his much-anticipated GLORY debut.
Ahmed Krnjic (13-4, 4 KO): Riding high on a nine-fight win streak, the ‘Bosnian Steel’ is ready to shine.
Sofian Laidouni (37-4-1, 18 KO): France’s flashiest heavyweight brings his signature flair to the tournament.
Murat ‘The Butcher’ Aygun (32-4, 8 KO): A Turkish slugger determined to make his mark.
Tariq Osaro (26-4-1, 13 KO): Former interim-GLORY champ and one of the sport’s most devastating hitters.
Ionut Iancu (30-10, 12 KO): Known as ‘The Romanian Tank,’ he’s made waves with his granite chin and iron fists.
And this is just the beginning. More elite fighters will be announced in the coming days, ensuring that the competition remains fierce and unpredictable. GLORY’s ‘Last Heavyweight Standing’ promises to be the most explosive event in kickboxing history—a true test of skill, power, and determination.
Don’t miss your chance to witness history. ‘GLORY 99: Last Heavyweight Standing’ goes down on April 5 in Rotterdam. Pre-sale tickets launch Monday, February 3—secure yours at GLORYKickboxing.com. This isn’t just a tournament; it’s a revolution. Be there to experience it live!
