GLORY celebrates its centennial event live from Rotterdam Ahoy on June 14th. This preview takes a closer look at each of the four title fights headlining the historic card.
Rico Verhoeven vs. Artem Vakhitov – GLORY Heavyweight Title
The reigning King of Kickboxing, Rico Verhoeven, prepares to defend his heavyweight crown once more against former light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov.
Verhoeven has been the dominant force in GLORY`s heavyweight division since capturing the title from Daniel Ghita at GLORY 17 in 2014. He has remained undefeated within the promotion since that victory, accumulating eight non-title wins and successfully defending his belt twelve times.
His opponent, Artem Vakhitov, a former champion in the light heavyweight division, is making his return to kickboxing after a brief transition to mixed martial arts. During his MMA venture, he secured a UFC contract via Dana White`s Contender Series and seemed poised for a potential showdown with his old kickboxing rival, Alex Pereira, in the octagon.
However, on March 25, 2025, reports indicated that Vakhitov declined the UFC offer and chose to re-sign with GLORY. This decision set the stage for him to pursue a monumental achievement: dethroning the long-reigning heavyweight champion.
To stand a chance, Vakhitov will need to overcome Verhoeven`s significant physical advantages. Standing 6`5″ tall with a 77” reach, Verhoeven is a master at controlling distance. He uses superior footwork to pressure opponents around the ring, often setting up devastating knockout power with punishing leg kicks.
Vakhitov`s strategy must involve applying immediate pressure and utilizing his boxing to break through the tall Dutchman`s defenses. As a Master of Sport in Muay Thai, Vakhitov is known for some of the most damaging leg kicks in GLORY. What distinguishes him, however, is his skill in integrating these kicks seamlessly into his boxing combinations. His crisp punches are frequently followed by sharp low kicks designed to wear down anyone he faces.
With the next stage of the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament also on this card, it`s highly possible that the winner of the main event will look to face a tournament participant next. Fighters like Rajabzadeh, Azizpour, and Caceres present potential new challenges for either man. With the tournament finals not scheduled until December, there would be ample time for the champion to recover and potentially face a challenger in a major year-end fight.
Tarik Khbabez vs. Sergej Maslobojev – GLORY Light Heavyweight Title
In the co-main event, Light Heavyweight Champion Tarik Khbabez aims to settle a score in a rematch against former champion Sergej Maslobojev.
`The Tank` had an exceptionally busy 2024, including three fights against another former light heavyweight champion, Donegi Abena. Khbabez emerged victorious in two of those bouts, ending the year with the GLORY title around his waist.
Maslobojev`s 2024 was equally active, featuring four wins against opponents like Bogdan Stoica and Stefan Latescu. His only loss came in the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finals against Bahram Rajabzadeh.
Calf kicks are a signature weapon for Tarik Khbabez. While powerful enough to finish a fight on their own, they are also crucial in setting up his relentless boxing attack, which descends on opponents like a storm. `The Tank` consistently throws with maximum force. Once in range, he aggressively moves forward, unleashing his powerful right hand and mixing in hooks and uppercuts to both the body and head.
Despite turning 38 just weeks before this fight, Sergej Maslobojev shows no signs of slowing down. His deceptive speed is a key asset. This speed allows him to effectively fight at range and capitalize on opportunities to counter, often following his opponent`s strikes with two or three shots of his own.
These two top contenders offer a compelling stylistic clash, with Khbabez`s constant pressure poised to bring out the best in Maslobojev`s slick, technical kickboxing. Since Artem Vakhitov`s initial reign, no light heavyweight champion has held the title for more than two defenses. This fight is an opportunity for either man to establish a longer tenure at the top of the division.
Donovan Wisse vs. Michael Boapeah – GLORY Middleweight Title
Donovan Wisse, the 2023 GLORY Fighter of the Year, kicks off his 2025 campaign against a familiar face: former title challenger Michael Boapeah, who is returning to the middleweight division.
Feeling a lack of activity in his natural weight class, Boapeah moved up to light heavyweight at the start of 2025. There, he secured impressive stoppage victories over ranked opponents Ibrahim El Bouni (#10) and Stefan Latescu (#6), proving himself capable in the higher division.
Wisse continued his streak of title defenses in 2024 with wins over ranked contenders Ulric Bokeme and Sergej Braun. However, his performances didn`t deter Boapeah, who repeatedly called him out, even referring to the longtime champion as a `wasteman`.
Nevertheless, trash talk doesn`t determine fight outcomes, and Donovan Wisse has a proven record of winning. With a professional record of 22-1, Wisse`s smooth and technical style has been the foundation of his current eleven-fight winning streak under the GLORY banner.
In his last fight against Sergej Braun, Wisse`s patient and effective jab was crucial to his victory. He used it to control distance and dictate the pace, consistently forcing his German opponent backward throughout the five rounds.
In stark contrast, Boapeah rarely takes a backward step. He constantly marches forward, pressuring his opponents and throwing every strike with full power. Once he senses a weakness, `The Timebomb` is relentless in his pursuit of a finishing blow.
History is at stake in this middleweight championship bout. A win would give Wisse his sixth title defense, surpassing Alex Pereira`s record of five and making him the division`s sole record holder. If Boapeah wins, he would become the first African fighter to claim the Middleweight title and only the second African fighter to win an undisputed GLORY championship in any division.
Petchpanomrung vs. Miguel Trindade – GLORY Featherweight Title
Following a split decision victory for Petchpanomrung in the GLORY X RISE Grand Prix final, a rematch against Miguel Trindade was widely considered the most logical next step for the pound-for-pound talent.
Apart from an unsuccessful attempt to move up to Lightweight against Tyjani Beztati, where he was defeated by a front kick, the Thai fighter has maintained a flawless record in GLORY since unifying the featherweight title against Robin van Roosmalen at GLORY 59.
True to traditional Thai boxing style, Petchpanomrung possesses devastating low kicks that he uses to wear down opponents. With remarkable stamina, he is capable of targeting Trindade`s legs throughout the entire fight.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Trindade possesses the power to end the fight with a single strike. His 72% knockout ratio is a clear indication that his Portuguese power is a significant threat.
Despite having only 21 professional fights, Trindade displays remarkable composure and skill when facing significantly more experienced opponents. He showed no hesitation or fear when taking on Petchpanomrung, a seasoned Thai veteran with over 200 bouts on his record.
The champion`s sharp body kicks were a major factor in their previous meeting, something Trindade experienced firsthand. Petchpanomrung utilized these kicks not only to score points with the judges but also to disrupt Trindade`s rhythm and force him to regain his balance after each strike to the body.
Having won their last encounter just six months ago, Petchpanomrung enters this fight as the favorite, full of confidence as he seeks his ninth featherweight title defense. In contrast, Miguel Trindade has spent the past six months training intensely, analyzing his previous performance, and motivated by the sting of defeat, aiming to capture the belt from Petch.
Similar to the heavyweight division, the featherweight division will also feature a Grand Prix this year, with the initial stages beginning on June 21st. Given the highly competitive nature of both fighters, it`s plausible they could potentially enter the tournament at a later stage to once again face top competitors from both GLORY and RISE.
Murray Blackwood 
Gareth Pendleton