Schilling’s inclusion in the card was confirmed today via a GLORY press release, though anyone keeping an eye on Schilling’s social media accounts will have gotten wind of it two days ago when he broke the news in a hastily-deleted Facebook post.
News of his addition to the card comes as the UFC announces that GLORY Superfight Series cards are to begin airing on its FIGHT PASS platform.
Both fighters ride win streaks into their Chicago encounter. Schilling has won his last three bouts, the latest being a stoppage victory over Jason ‘Psycho’ Wilnis at GLORY 24 DENVER this past October.
He entered free agency after that bout and was removed from the rankings while negotiations went on but today, Thursday, has been relisted back in the #1 contender spot he formerly occupied. Schilling has twice faced current middleweight champion Artem ‘The Lion’ Levin in the GLORY ring. He is 1-1 against him, the latest fight being a decision loss in the GLORY 17 LAST MAN STANDING tournament final.
The middleweight belt was vacant at the time and the win meant Levin became the inaugural GLORY world champion. Schilling has chased a rubber match ever since and was actually due to face Levin at GLORY 24 DENVER before the Russian pulled out citing injury.
Lemaire rides back-to-back victories into the fight with Schilling. Both wins are over fellow Americans (Dustin Jacoby at GLORY 17 and Casey Greene at GLORY 24) and he now looks to make it an All-American trilogy of victories in what is the biggest fight of his career to date.
“Schilling stepped up on short notice to headline the SuperFight Series, adding another fantastic fight to an already strong card,” says GLORY CEO Jon Franklin.
“Being able to add a fighter of Joe’s caliber to this event is a special treat for the fans. It’s a credit to Mike Lemaire for recognizing this opportunity and seizing it as well.”
GLORY 27 Chicago airs live on ESPN3 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, Feb. 26, with a replay on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The Superfight Series card will air live on Fight Pass and will re-air on CBS Sports on tape-delay; broadcast details to follow.
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