While some divisions observed a period of quiet contemplation – notably, the Middleweight (-85 kg) and Women`s Openweight (+59 kg) categories saw no top-10 action this month – elsewhere, the gladiatorial spirit was in full, glorious display.
The Unforgiving Climb: Pound-for-Pound and Heavyweights
The **Pound-for-Pound (P4P) Men`s** list, often considered the pinnacle of individual excellence, saw some intriguing shifts. The seasoned **Toki Tamaru** exited the rankings after a year of inactivity under kickboxing rules, having transitioned to mixed martial arts. A fighter`s journey is rarely linear, and Tamaru`s move underscores the evolving landscape of combat sports, where athletes often seek new challenges. In his stead, **Michael Boapeah** made a well-deserved entry into the P4P top 10. Boapeah`s consistent improvement, marked by two GLORY title challenges and a steady climb in both middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, demonstrates that persistence, even in the face of closely contested setbacks, ultimately pays dividends.
The **Heavyweight (+95 KG)** division, always a theater of titans, delivered several earth-shattering performances. **Levi Rigters (2)** stunned the kickboxing world with a third-round spinning back kick to the liver, definitively knocking out **Jamal Ben Saddik (9)** in what had been a closely fought encounter. This kind of decisive, visceral finish reminds us why the heavyweights command such attention. Not to be outdone, **Mory Kromah (3)** secured a technical knockout against Cristian Ristea, while **Sofian Laidouni (7)** earned a unanimous decision over Cihad Kepenek. **Rade Opacic (8)** showcased the brutal effectiveness of low kicks, stopping Ionut Iancu in the third round. These results paint a picture of a division brimming with aggressive, high-impact talent.
Champions Defend, Divisions Shift: Welterweight to Super Featherweight
In the **Light Heavyweight (-95 KG)** category, **Thian De Vries (8)** made a statement, knocking out Chip Moraza-Pollard in the first round of an open-finger gloves match. While the specific rule set might offer a different tactical challenge, the result undoubtedly reinforces his presence at the top.
The **Welterweight (-77 KG)** division saw history being made. **Chico Kwasi (1)** successfully defended his GLORY welterweight title for the fourth time against Mehdi Ait El Hadj, achieving a new divisional record. Such sustained dominance is a testament to his skill and strategic acumen. Meanwhile, **Regian Eersel (3)** secured a first-round knockout under Muay Thai rules to defend his ONE title. The rankings board, with its cold, dispassionate logic, noted that this particular victory did not affect his kickboxing standing, highlighting the subtle distinctions between combat sport disciplines.
Mohammad Siasarani (5) kept his momentum in **Lightweight (-71 KG)** with a unanimous decision victory over Oskar Siegert, further solidifying his position. The **Super Featherweight (-67.5 KG)** division showcased remarkable activity. **Chadd Collins (3)** first defended his RISE 65kg world title against **Kento Haraguchi (4)** in a hard-fought split decision, then three weeks later, defeated Jack Rachanon by unanimous decision under Muay Thai rules. This willingness to compete across different rule sets, often with little rest, is a hallmark of truly dedicated fighters. **Denis Wosik (10)** also advanced in the RISE x Glory tournament with a unanimous decision win, underscoring the collaborative spirit and competitive depth of the scene.
Precision and Persistence: The Lighter Weights
The lighter divisions are often characterized by relentless pace and technical brilliance, and September`s rankings reflected this volatility. In **Super Bantamweight (-61 KG)**, the rankings board delivered its inevitable decree: **Achraf Aasila (6 to NR)** exited due to a year of competing above the 61kg limit, aligning with GLORY`s minimum weight class. Similarly, **Yuki Egawa (9 to NR)** departed due to 18 months of inactivity. This opened the door for new entries, with **Panuwat (NR to 10)** and **Hyuma Hitachi (NR to 9)** re-entering the fray, a stark reminder that in kickboxing, you must either fight or fade from the top.
A similar story unfolded in **Bantamweight (-58 KG)**, where **Taito Gunji (2 to NR)** left the rankings, opting to focus on open-finger gloves Muay Thai. This decision, while perfectly valid for a fighter`s career, illustrates the strict confines of kickboxing-specific rankings. His departure made way for the respected **Sam-A (NR to 10)**. Meanwhile, **Haruto Yasumoto (3 to 2)**, **Kotaro Yamada (6 to 5)**, and **Koyata Yamada (10 to 9)** all secured unanimous decision victories, demonstrating the high-stakes chess match that defines these lighter weight classes.
The **Super Flyweight (-55 KG)** division also saw significant action. **Shiro (1)** proved his undisputed dominance, defending his RISE 55kg World title against **Masashi Kumura (6)**, sending his challenger to the canvas three times. **Koki Osaki (2)** secured a unanimous decision, and Krush champion **Riamu (9)** re-entered the rankings. This division, too, saw exits due to inactivity, with **Toki Tamaru (3 to NR)** and **Akram Hamidi (9 to NR)** making way for fresh blood like **Yugo Kato (NR to 10)**.
Finally, the **Flyweight (-53 KG)** division was a whirlwind of activity. **Kazuki Osaki (1)** stopped his opponent with body shots in an open-finger gloves match. **Ryu Hanaoka (2)** knocked out **Momu Tsukamoto (9)**, while **Ryujin Nasukawa (3)** scored a knockdown en route to a unanimous decision over **Jin Mandokoro (4)**. **Kaito Hasegawa (7)** also secured a split decision victory, underlining the razor-thin margins at the highest level of this division.
The Women`s Ascendant Power
The women`s divisions continue to grow in prominence and competitive depth. In **Women`s Bantamweight (-57.5 KG)**, **Débora Evora (1)** confidently defeated Miranda Zondervan by unanimous decision, maintaining her top spot. **Darya Kuvakina (8)** showcased a powerful spinning back kick knockdown, ultimately capturing the WKF World title with a unanimous decision. These performances highlight the increasing skill and strategic complexity in women`s kickboxing.
The **Women`s Flyweight (-53.5 KG)** division saw a significant upset, with **Noriko Ikeuchi (9 to 10)** losing her Krush -52kg title to the newly ranked **Sofia Tsolakidou (NR to 9)** in an extension round. Such title changes are always electrifying, introducing new champions to the global stage. **Ines Daniela (7)** also added a unanimous decision victory to her record.
The **Women`s Atomweight (-47.0 KG)** division saw a bittersweet moment as **Panchan Rina (4)**, after a dominant knee-induced knockout victory, announced her retirement from kickboxing. While she remains ranked for another month, her departure marks the end of an era for one of the division`s stalwarts. Meanwhile, **Haruka Shimada (7)** secured a majority decision over **Fuu (9)**, indicating the continuing development of competitive talent in this weight class.
Murray Blackwood