In the high-stakes world of professional kickboxing, where power and precision define champions, one of the sport`s leading organizations, GLORY, finds itself grappling with a different kind of challenge: a significant exodus of its non-heavyweight talent. What was once seen as a premier platform for all divisions is now perceived by many as a heavyweight-centric promotion, a strategy that is causing widespread discontent among fighters and trainers alike.
The Heavyweight Horizon: A Double-Edged Sword
At the heart of the current unrest is GLORY`s ambitious “Last Heavyweight Standing” tournament series. Spanning five events and culminating in a grand finale in December, this tournament offers unprecedented exposure and a lucrative path to a potential showdown with long-reigning champion Rico Verhoeven in 2026. For heavyweights, this is a golden era. For everyone else, it’s a time of quiet frustration, occasionally boiling over into public outcry.
While the allure of colossal clashes is undeniable, the commitment to this heavyweight spectacle has seemingly come at the expense of other weight classes. Cards are dominated by the giants, leaving precious little room—and even fewer opportunities—for the agile lightweights, dynamic welterweights, and burgeoning middleweights who once formed the backbone of GLORY`s diverse roster.
A Talent Drain: Champions Seek New Battlegrounds
The consequences of this focused approach are now starkly evident. Several high-profile champions and promising prospects have announced their departure, citing a noticeable lack of opportunities. Among them is six-time lightweight champion Tyjani Beztati, who has transitioned to the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Four-time welterweight champion Endy Semeleer openly expressed feeling abandoned, a sentiment echoed by rising star Mohamed Touchassie, once touted as the “new Badr Hari,” who has seen his fight offers dwindle to almost nothing.
Touchassie`s experience highlights a critical breakdown in communication. “I feel like I’ve been on pause at GLORY,” he stated, describing a frustrating cycle of vague promises and discovering card omissions via social media. For a fighter whose career is built on momentum and consistent action, this uncertainty is not just inconvenient; it’s detrimental.
The Trainers Speak: “Destroying the Sport”
The unease within the fighter community is amplified by their trainers, who, often acting as the voice of their athletes, are not holding back. Said El Badaoui, trainer to Jamal Ben Saddik and formerly Badr Hari, felt compelled to speak out. “Fighters themselves don’t dare to speak, but I’ll stand up for my boys,” he asserted, describing a “worrying reality” where “half the fights in the tournament are rubbish” and talent is being lost due to “short-term thinking.” The irony of an organization bringing retirees back to “fill the card” while actively shedding top-tier active talent is not lost on him.
Maikel Polanen, head coach at ARJ Gym and trainer to Endy Semeleer and heavyweight Levi Rigters, painted an even grimier picture. He believes GLORY is “ruining careers” and warns that “something will have to change, otherwise the sport is being destroyed.” This isn`t just about financial independence, he explains, as MMA offers significantly greater monetary prospects. The dreams of young, aspiring kickboxers, he fears, are being prematurely extinguished.
Even Heavyweights Keep Their Options Open
Perhaps most telling is the situation of heavyweights like Levi Rigters, who are ostensibly benefiting from GLORY`s current strategy. According to Polanen, even Rigters is already training MMA, viewing GLORY potentially as a stepping stone rather than a long-term home. “Guys like Levi aren’t just kickboxers, they’re athletes,” Polanen notes, suggesting that even GLORY`s favored division talent is not immune to the siren call of alternative, more stable combat sports careers.
GLORY`s Response: A Vague Reassurance
In response to the growing chorus of criticism, GLORY CEO Marshall Zelaznik acknowledged the promotion’s heavyweight focus but offered what many perceive as a less-than-reassuring statement. While wishing departing fighters well and asserting that “there is always room for exciting fighters,” the emphasis remains on “spectacular fighters” for 2026. This response, while diplomatic, offers little specific solace to the divisions currently feeling neglected or to fighters unwilling to make substantial weight changes to fit the heavyweight narrative.
The Future of Kickboxing: A Critical Juncture
GLORY, undoubtedly a “great organization” as even its critics concede, now stands at a critical juncture. The strategy of hyper-focusing on one division, while potentially creating marquee events, risks alienating a significant portion of its talent pool and, more broadly, the fan base that appreciates the diverse skill sets across all weight classes. The question remains: Can GLORY navigate this internal crisis, re-balance its focus, and ensure that the “dream” of standing in its ring remains vibrant for all aspiring kickboxers, not just the heavyweights? The long-term health of the sport, according to some, may well depend on it.
Murray Blackwood 
Gareth Pendleton