Hold on to your seats, fight fans—GLORY Kickboxing is set to kick off 2025 with an explosive bang! After months of speculation, it’s official: fan-favorite Jamal Ben Saddik (36-9, 29 KO) will step back into the ring for a highly anticipated return. The Goliath is scheduled to face the Estonian powerhouse Uku Jurjendal (20-9, 16 KO) at GLORY 98, taking place on February 22 at the RTM Stage in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
This matchup has everything a kickboxing fan could ask for: raw power, thrilling knockouts, and a clash of two heavyweights with a lot to prove. For Ben Saddik, this will be his first fight in almost two and a half years. The 34-year-old former title contender boasts a resume filled with victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, including Guto Inocente, Junior Tafa, Errol Zimmerman, Remy Bonjasky, and Rico Verhoeven. Now, he’s ready to make a triumphant return to reclaim his place among the elite.
Standing in his way is Uku Jurjendal, GLORY’s No. 8-ranked heavyweight and one of the division's rising stars. Since joining GLORY in 2023, Jurjendal has gained a reputation as a knockout artist, most notably with his jaw-dropping TKO victory over the legendary Badr Hari at GLORY 89. With an opportunity to take down another kickboxing icon, Jurjendal is coming into this bout hungry to cement his place as a true force in the heavyweight division.
A Showdown of Behemoths
The stakes couldn’t be higher for this monumental clash. Ben Saddik aims to send a message to the rest of the division with a dominant performance, while Jurjendal is eager to add another legend to his list of conquests. Expect fireworks when these two titans collide, with the RTM Stage promising to shake under the roar of the crowd as Ben Saddik’s loyal fans welcome him back to the GLORY ring.
Kickstarting 2025 in Style
GLORY 98 is more than just a single fight; it’s the first event of the GLORY 2025 calendar and promises to deliver an unforgettable night of action. With more exciting matchups to be announced in the coming days, the event is already shaping up to be a must-watch for kickboxing enthusiasts.
Tickets and Broadcast Details
Want to be part of the action? Fans can register now to secure their tickets during the presale, starting Monday, December 23, at 9 AM CET. General tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, December 24, at 9 AM CET.
For those watching from home, GLORY 98 will stream live exclusively on Videoland in the Netherlands. Fans around the world can visit GLORYKickboxing.com for the full list of global broadcast options.
Get ready for an epic night of kickboxing as GLORY 98 sets the stage for an explosive year ahead!