The kickboxing promotion is pulling out all the stops to make their new tournament their biggest yet.
It’s a universal rule in combat sports and always will be that fight fans love a tournament regardless of any other factors.
Whether it’s the matchups and stories that they produce or the constant stakes that hang over every single bout and result, you simply cannot beat the thrill of an elimination bracket.
This format has been particularly integral to the history of kickboxing and that is something that GLORY has continued to keep a part of their tradition.
Now, the promotion is going bigger than ever before by announcing a new heavyweight tournament that will take place throughout 2025 before culminating in a one-night, eight-man final but before we get there, GLORY 99 looks to be unmissable.
GLORY 99 boasts a staggering 16 heavyweight fights for the opening round of matchups
We have a long way to go, five events to be precise, before we end up with the final eight who will meet in a one-night tournament to crown the winner.
On April 5 in Rotterdam, the first 16 fights will take place amongst the 32 names that are now confirmed with each matchup being announced via a random draw in this initial phase.
The tournament bracket features a whole host of world class talent from GLORY staples to new arrivals that will look to make a statement in 2025.
Former two-time title challenger and heavyweight Grand Prix winner Jamal Ben Saddik will enter the tournament following his upcoming return at GLORY 98 on February 22.
The 34-year-old Belgian hasn’t competed since August of 2022, making his comeback against Uku Jurjendal, who is also on the roster, a big moment for kickboxing fans.
Former interim heavyweight champion Tariq ‘Cookie’ Osaro also joins the roster and is sure to be an imposing force in the tournament standing at 6’6.
As mentioned, the tournament will also feature several new arrivals with the top-five ranked Rade Opacic making his GLORY debut after parting ways with ONE Championship.
For GLORY roster staples that fight fans should absolutely be keeping an eye on, look no further than the incredibly exciting Bahram Rajabzadeh who has finished 61 of his 71 wins by knockout and Nabil ‘The Tank’ Khachab who at 24-years-old, is sure to grow into a mainstay at the top of this division.
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One big name is missing from the 32 fighter line-up at heavyweight
Any kickboxing fan will be quick to notice that the tournament roster doesn’t feature the dominant GLORY heavyweight champion, Rico Verhoeven.
GLORY CEO Marshall Zelaznik explained at the announcement press conference that the bracket has been set up to assume that Verhoeven will not be competing.
The ‘Prince of Kickboxing’ has already beaten several of the top names in the bracket during his incredible 11-year reign as champion.
Whilst Verhoeven has been keen to test himself in some form of crossover contest in recent times, he could still enter the tournament via a wild card spot or continue to defend his title against other contenders.