This week, Glory announced the signing of kickboxing great Artur Kyshenko.
The 26 year old Ukranian fighter is already a decorated veteran familiar to any hardcore kickboxing fan. For years, Kyshenko has been a fixture of high level fights. He’s made it to the finals of multiple Grand Prix tournaments, though has never quite managed to win that elusive GP championship. Kyshenko has faced a who’s who of fighters and holds wins over the likes of Andy Souwer, Nieky Holzken, Yoshihiro Sato, Mike Zambidis, and so many more. For the past few years, Kyshenko has been training at the famed Mike’s Gym – a move that has resulted in a more aggressive fighting style.
A longtime fighter in the 70 kg division, Kyshenko has been a larger fighter for that weight for some time. In Glory, he leaves 70kg behind for the Welterweight division of 77 kg / 170 lbs. Here’s Kyshenko talking to Glory about the move:
“Lightweight is boring for me now. I want something new – new competitors, new challenges,” he says.
“One big difference at [77kgs/170lbs] is that I can eat more and I can be a lot bigger. This has an effect on power and force. My first fight in this weight class will be a surprise for the public and fans I think,”
No word yet on when Kyshenko will make his Glory debut, or who against. The Welterweight division takes center stage at Glory 13 Tokyo on December 21 – a showdown between Kyshenko and the tournament winner there sounds like a great idea.
Next up for Glory is Glory 12 New York airing live on Spike TV Saturday, November 23.
More from Bloody Elbow:
- Boxing Donaire vs Darchinyan preview: A new chapter for Nonito Donaire
- Dwight Howard tells Dana White that he’d take a UFC fight…for $10 million
- UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson fight card primers
- Tim Kennedy on the pressure he felt competing at Fight for the Troops 3
- Of 10,000 Bellator 106 tickets, 5,855 were unsold with 2,407 comped
About the author
