There is some interesting matchmaking news coming out of Glory this week, mostly focused on Glory 24 Denver, set to take place on Friday, October 9.
The biggest news concerns the main event. Already announced for Glory 24 is a huge title fight with Middleweight champion Artem Levin planning to make his second defense of the belt as he takes on his rival Joe Schilling. Sadly, that rubber match will have to wait. As we previously reported, Levin has pulled out of the fight due to injury. Replacing him will be top ranked Jason Wilnis. An accomplished veteran, Wilnis has made big waves in Glory recently, first with his win over Wayne Barrett at Glory 18, and then making it to the tournament finals at Glory 20. He stands just a spot outside the Middleweight big three of Levin, Schilling, and Simon Marcus, and with a win here, he makes it a big four. Schilling vs. Wilnis is an excellent fight, no doubt – it’s just not Levin vs. Schilling III.
Also announced for Glory 24 – the Glory return of Pat Barry. The UFC and K-1 veteran will be back in a Glory ring for the first time since being KO’d by Zack Mwekassa the last time Glory was in Denver back at Glory 16. He’s 1-0 outside of Glory since. Barry will take on American Karl Roberson. Roberson is best known for recently taking on Jerome Le Banner in the K-1 legend’s retirement bout. Le Banner took the very controversial decision win there, but many felt Roberson was the better fighter. He may not be as high profile as Barry, but this is not a gimme fight for HD.
Already scheduled for Glory 24 is a Heavyweight contender tournament – names yet to be announced.
In one final piece of Glory news, reports are surfacing that former pound for pound king and Glory tournament champion Giorgio Petrosyan may be headed back to the company. He’s been linked to a possible Glory 25 show from Monza, Italy on November 6. None of that is yet confirmed by Glory, so take it as rumor for now, but it’s a pretty big rumor, and one worth watching for.
Next up for Glory is the Bellator Dynamite show on September 19, featuring Zack Mwekassa vs. Saulo Cavalari for the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight title, plus the Glory debut of Paul Daley.
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