Another stacked Glory Kickboxing card. Filled with many Heavyweight Tournament bouts, and a few Championship bouts in the lower weight classes.
Jamal Ben Saddik vs Levi Ritgers in the Main Event should be fun. These guys are always in great action bouts.
Starting live in about 25 minutes.
Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
I'm a bit confused at some of the matchups here as they're Tournament bouts featuring guys that have already been in and Eliminated from the Tournament. Perhaps they're competing for an Alternate spot or something?
Whatever. It's Heavyweight Kickboxing.
Whatever. It's Heavyweight Kickboxing.
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Errol Koning vs Mike Kena - Tournament Qualifier Bout
Round 1: Wild 1st round here. The veteran Koning was very aggressive, going right after Kena. He got cut midway through the round, which slowed his offense down a good bit, but I'd still say Koning got the better of the action.
Round 2: Koning more aggressive in the 2nd. Hurts Kena at one point. Keeps attacking aggressively. Koning has to take a long break midway through the round after suffering a low blow from Kena. A very heavy knee strike to the groin that I know had to have to hurt severely. The action finally continues after about a 3 or 4 minute break. About 30 seconds of the action remain in the round. They slowly get through it. Koning's round for sure.
Round 3: Kena had way more energy in the 3rd round, and was able to hurt Koning on a few occasions in the 3rd. Kena's inexperience showed as he never fully seized the moment that seemed to be in front of him. Kena took the 3rd round.
They have open scoring on this event, and 3 of the 5 judges gave Kena the 1st round. So I believe what I saw in the 3rd round would've given him the edge in the fight.
Official Decision: Errol Koning 29-28 on 2 cards, Mike Kena 29-28 on 3 cards. The winner by Split Decision is Mike Kena.
I would've had it for Koning personally, but it is what it is.
Round 1: Wild 1st round here. The veteran Koning was very aggressive, going right after Kena. He got cut midway through the round, which slowed his offense down a good bit, but I'd still say Koning got the better of the action.
Round 2: Koning more aggressive in the 2nd. Hurts Kena at one point. Keeps attacking aggressively. Koning has to take a long break midway through the round after suffering a low blow from Kena. A very heavy knee strike to the groin that I know had to have to hurt severely. The action finally continues after about a 3 or 4 minute break. About 30 seconds of the action remain in the round. They slowly get through it. Koning's round for sure.
Round 3: Kena had way more energy in the 3rd round, and was able to hurt Koning on a few occasions in the 3rd. Kena's inexperience showed as he never fully seized the moment that seemed to be in front of him. Kena took the 3rd round.
They have open scoring on this event, and 3 of the 5 judges gave Kena the 1st round. So I believe what I saw in the 3rd round would've given him the edge in the fight.
Official Decision: Errol Koning 29-28 on 2 cards, Mike Kena 29-28 on 3 cards. The winner by Split Decision is Mike Kena.
I would've had it for Koning personally, but it is what it is.
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Naim Hebbar vs Alin Nechita - Tournament Qualifier Bout
Round 1: Nechita apparently feels Hebbar's punching power early, and isn't impressed at all as he starts taunting him, and then teeing off on him with abandon as the round goes on as if he's completely unconcerned by what's coming back at him. Nechita definitely wins the round with the heavier shots. I'd prefer to see a little less taunting, and a little more getting down to business in the 2nd round.
Round 2: Much slower round there in the 2nd as Nechita slowed down a lot, and seemed to be conserving his energy hopefully for a strong final round burst. I'd still give it to Nechita as his shots are just so obviously more heavy and impactful. Hebbar is probably matching him almost statistically, but Nechita's shots are doing a lot more damage, and it's obvious. Hebbar did get an excellent knee in on Nechita at one point in the round though.
Round 3: Strong 3rd round for Hebbar. His stamina showed, and he landed 2 devastating spinning back fists in a row at one point in the round, and 2 more before rounds end. The first 2 Spinning backfists almost seemed like Deja Vu as it happened the exact same way twice in the same spot in the ring with the same effect, pretty interesting moment there. Hebbar is gonna take the 3rd, but it won't be enough. I have him behind 29-28, and I think that'll be Unanimous.
Official Decision: 29-28 on 1, 30-27 on the other 4 all for Alin Nechita.
Round 1: Nechita apparently feels Hebbar's punching power early, and isn't impressed at all as he starts taunting him, and then teeing off on him with abandon as the round goes on as if he's completely unconcerned by what's coming back at him. Nechita definitely wins the round with the heavier shots. I'd prefer to see a little less taunting, and a little more getting down to business in the 2nd round.
Round 2: Much slower round there in the 2nd as Nechita slowed down a lot, and seemed to be conserving his energy hopefully for a strong final round burst. I'd still give it to Nechita as his shots are just so obviously more heavy and impactful. Hebbar is probably matching him almost statistically, but Nechita's shots are doing a lot more damage, and it's obvious. Hebbar did get an excellent knee in on Nechita at one point in the round though.
Round 3: Strong 3rd round for Hebbar. His stamina showed, and he landed 2 devastating spinning back fists in a row at one point in the round, and 2 more before rounds end. The first 2 Spinning backfists almost seemed like Deja Vu as it happened the exact same way twice in the same spot in the ring with the same effect, pretty interesting moment there. Hebbar is gonna take the 3rd, but it won't be enough. I have him behind 29-28, and I think that'll be Unanimous.
Official Decision: 29-28 on 1, 30-27 on the other 4 all for Alin Nechita.
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Yuri Farcas vs Asadulla Nasipov - Tournament Qualifier Bout
Round 1: Nasipov keeping Farcas at a distance, and just picking him apart in Round 1. Complete dominance with kicks to the leg and body, and straight lefts from a distance. Farcas able to get almost nothing going the entire round.
Round 2: Nasipov continues his dominance in the 2nd round, and to make matters worse for Farcas he gets a point deducted for excessive clinching. Nasipov in complete control. A complete dud of a performance for Farcas who is fighting just to try to keep Nasipov away it seems, constantly going backward. All Nasipov.
Round 3: Farcas continues just backpedaling, and clinching his way through the round. Nasipov continues picking him apart from a distance. Complete shutout for Nasipov.
30-26 Nasipov
Official Decision: Unanimous Decision for Asadulla Nasipov, one judge for some reason didn't seem to factor in the point deduction, but yes Nasipov wins a shutout across the board.
Round 1: Nasipov keeping Farcas at a distance, and just picking him apart in Round 1. Complete dominance with kicks to the leg and body, and straight lefts from a distance. Farcas able to get almost nothing going the entire round.
Round 2: Nasipov continues his dominance in the 2nd round, and to make matters worse for Farcas he gets a point deducted for excessive clinching. Nasipov in complete control. A complete dud of a performance for Farcas who is fighting just to try to keep Nasipov away it seems, constantly going backward. All Nasipov.
Round 3: Farcas continues just backpedaling, and clinching his way through the round. Nasipov continues picking him apart from a distance. Complete shutout for Nasipov.
30-26 Nasipov
Official Decision: Unanimous Decision for Asadulla Nasipov, one judge for some reason didn't seem to factor in the point deduction, but yes Nasipov wins a shutout across the board.
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Sofian Laidouni vs Cihad Kepenek
Sidenote: Kinda interesting thing happening here where Laidouni has a recent win over tonight's main eventer Ben Saddik. Albeit a flukish win due to a self induced injury to Ben Saddik's leg.
Not able to do RBR for this one because I got a little distracted, but it played out somewhat similar to the last one where Laidouni had it his own way the whole fight. Outboxing Kepenek every round, and in full control throughout.
30-27 Laidouni is how I'd have it, and I'd imagine that's Unanimous.
Official Decision: 30-27 across the board for Sofian Laidouni
Sidenote: Kinda interesting thing happening here where Laidouni has a recent win over tonight's main eventer Ben Saddik. Albeit a flukish win due to a self induced injury to Ben Saddik's leg.
Not able to do RBR for this one because I got a little distracted, but it played out somewhat similar to the last one where Laidouni had it his own way the whole fight. Outboxing Kepenek every round, and in full control throughout.
30-27 Laidouni is how I'd have it, and I'd imagine that's Unanimous.
Official Decision: 30-27 across the board for Sofian Laidouni
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
The PPV portion of the card is beginning with a Welterweight Bout
Tayfun Ozcan vs Don Sno
Round 1: Sno seems to be just moving just his hands, and trying to make as much contact as he can. He's a volume guy. Ozcan is throwing less, landing more, and landing heavier blows. I prefer what Ozcan is doing, but it was a competitive round.
Round 2: This definitely felt like Sno's round. His youth is winning out here as he's just a nonstop ball of energy in there. Ozcan is keeping up with him as well as he can, but Sno got it I think. Competitive fight here.
Round 3: Another very competitive round. Ozcan takes that round with authority with a surge at the end that had Sno reeling. He never could drop him which is likely what he would've needed to avoid a loss here, but he finished the fight strong.
I personally would've had it 29-28 for Ozcan.
Official Decision: 30-27 Ozcan, 30-27 Sno 2x and 29-28 2x for the winner by Split Decision. Don Sno
Tayfun Ozcan vs Don Sno
Round 1: Sno seems to be just moving just his hands, and trying to make as much contact as he can. He's a volume guy. Ozcan is throwing less, landing more, and landing heavier blows. I prefer what Ozcan is doing, but it was a competitive round.
Round 2: This definitely felt like Sno's round. His youth is winning out here as he's just a nonstop ball of energy in there. Ozcan is keeping up with him as well as he can, but Sno got it I think. Competitive fight here.
Round 3: Another very competitive round. Ozcan takes that round with authority with a surge at the end that had Sno reeling. He never could drop him which is likely what he would've needed to avoid a loss here, but he finished the fight strong.
I personally would've had it 29-28 for Ozcan.
Official Decision: 30-27 Ozcan, 30-27 Sno 2x and 29-28 2x for the winner by Split Decision. Don Sno
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Another Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier up next
Milos Cvjeticanin vs Colin George
Round 1: Milos getting the better of the action with his speed. George throwing some jabs from range, and getting in some decent body shots, but Milos is definitely far more active, and landing lots of leg kicks along with his better Boxing. It's his round.
Round 2: Milos starts off strong again, seems to get very fatigued midway through the round, and George starts to put together a nice string of offense on him, but Milos rallies back in the final 10 seconds or so to steal the round, and I think he did. Much closer than the 1st though.
Round 3: Another strong round for Milos. George just looks off balance, and awkward throughout the round, maybe his legs are hurting from the leg kicks. Whatever the reason Milos is once again in control landing the heavier blows, and at one point landing a jumping spinning kick to his head. Big round for Milos
I think he's got it 30-27
Official Decision: 30-27 across the board for Milos Cvjeticanin
WE NEED SOME F*CKING KNOCKOUTS ON THIS CARD ALREADY!!!
Milos Cvjeticanin vs Colin George
Round 1: Milos getting the better of the action with his speed. George throwing some jabs from range, and getting in some decent body shots, but Milos is definitely far more active, and landing lots of leg kicks along with his better Boxing. It's his round.
Round 2: Milos starts off strong again, seems to get very fatigued midway through the round, and George starts to put together a nice string of offense on him, but Milos rallies back in the final 10 seconds or so to steal the round, and I think he did. Much closer than the 1st though.
Round 3: Another strong round for Milos. George just looks off balance, and awkward throughout the round, maybe his legs are hurting from the leg kicks. Whatever the reason Milos is once again in control landing the heavier blows, and at one point landing a jumping spinning kick to his head. Big round for Milos
I think he's got it 30-27
Official Decision: 30-27 across the board for Milos Cvjeticanin
WE NEED SOME F*CKING KNOCKOUTS ON THIS CARD ALREADY!!!
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Up next
Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier
Nabil Khachab vs Nathan Cook
Round 1: The Big man Khachab constantly pressing forward throwing heavy shots to the body and head, and throwing in a steady stream of leg kicks. Nathan Cook throwing lots of kicks and punches in the early going trying to keep Khachab at bay, but having little success, and gets rattled toward the end of the round.
Round 2: Nathan Cook is Cooked this round. Getting battered from pillar to post with a constant barrage of punches from the big man Khachab. Cook gets dropped twice, but survives the round by the skin of his teeth. Closest we've come to a finish all night. If Khachab can keep up that level of punishment in the 3rd I don't see how Cook could take it.
Round 3: Khachab I think as you might expect being a 358 pounder emptied most of his tank going for the finish in the 2nd round. Even so he's still able to do more damage than Cook in the 3rd. Cook is just happy to see the final bell I'm sure after that disastrous 2nd round.
30-25 Nabil Khachab, no other way to see it.
Official Decision: Nabil Khachab wins it 30-25 on all 5 cards.
2nd round of this fight is the most exciting of the night so far.
Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier
Nabil Khachab vs Nathan Cook
Round 1: The Big man Khachab constantly pressing forward throwing heavy shots to the body and head, and throwing in a steady stream of leg kicks. Nathan Cook throwing lots of kicks and punches in the early going trying to keep Khachab at bay, but having little success, and gets rattled toward the end of the round.
Round 2: Nathan Cook is Cooked this round. Getting battered from pillar to post with a constant barrage of punches from the big man Khachab. Cook gets dropped twice, but survives the round by the skin of his teeth. Closest we've come to a finish all night. If Khachab can keep up that level of punishment in the 3rd I don't see how Cook could take it.
Round 3: Khachab I think as you might expect being a 358 pounder emptied most of his tank going for the finish in the 2nd round. Even so he's still able to do more damage than Cook in the 3rd. Cook is just happy to see the final bell I'm sure after that disastrous 2nd round.
30-25 Nabil Khachab, no other way to see it.
Official Decision: Nabil Khachab wins it 30-25 on all 5 cards.
2nd round of this fight is the most exciting of the night so far.
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Next bout
Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier
Rade Opacic vs Ionut Iancu
Round 1: Iancu can't get much going that round. Opacic seems to hurt him in the first minute with a head kick, but doesn't really follow up on him. Hurts him again with a calf kick toward the end of the round. Opacic wins the round clear.
Round 2: Iancu's movement severely hindered with the pain he's feeling due to that apparent calf injury. He's stayed in the Southpaw stance since then to avoid any further damage to that leg, and he was limping back to his corner at the end of the 2nd. Other than a few punches here and there Opacic is getting the better of the action clear. Kicks to the head, kicks to the legs. Punches from a distance. It's all Opacic.
Round 3: Iancu comes out for the 3rd, takes another calf kick, and decides he's had enough. He turns his back, and hobbles to his corner. The referee gives him a count, and Iancu doesn't want to continue he's in too much pain.
TKO 3 Rade Opacic
Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier
Rade Opacic vs Ionut Iancu
Round 1: Iancu can't get much going that round. Opacic seems to hurt him in the first minute with a head kick, but doesn't really follow up on him. Hurts him again with a calf kick toward the end of the round. Opacic wins the round clear.
Round 2: Iancu's movement severely hindered with the pain he's feeling due to that apparent calf injury. He's stayed in the Southpaw stance since then to avoid any further damage to that leg, and he was limping back to his corner at the end of the 2nd. Other than a few punches here and there Opacic is getting the better of the action clear. Kicks to the head, kicks to the legs. Punches from a distance. It's all Opacic.
Round 3: Iancu comes out for the 3rd, takes another calf kick, and decides he's had enough. He turns his back, and hobbles to his corner. The referee gives him a count, and Iancu doesn't want to continue he's in too much pain.
TKO 3 Rade Opacic
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Mory Kromah vs Cristian Ristea
This is a case of Kromah simply wanting to keep busy, and taking a fight even though he's already tournament for the Tournament Finals. I love how active these guys keep.
Round 1: Ristea gets in a little trouble early in the round hitting on the break. Toward the end of the round Kromah unleashes a hellacious barrage of punches to the body and head, a few knees got in there. One seems to possibly break Ristea's nose as he was bleeding profusely at the end of the round.
Round 2: Ristea showing guts here, but he's just completely outgunned in this match. Kromah is giving him a hell of a shellacking here. At one point he lands a hard shot on Kromah, and has him buzzed for a brief second, but Kromah immediately responds with another swift combination to the face, and after a big left hook smash to his nose Ristea decides he's had enough, and surrenders.
TKO 2 Mory Kromah
He stole the show at Glory 100 against Bahram, and he's had the Performance of the Night tonight as well.
This is a case of Kromah simply wanting to keep busy, and taking a fight even though he's already tournament for the Tournament Finals. I love how active these guys keep.
Round 1: Ristea gets in a little trouble early in the round hitting on the break. Toward the end of the round Kromah unleashes a hellacious barrage of punches to the body and head, a few knees got in there. One seems to possibly break Ristea's nose as he was bleeding profusely at the end of the round.
Round 2: Ristea showing guts here, but he's just completely outgunned in this match. Kromah is giving him a hell of a shellacking here. At one point he lands a hard shot on Kromah, and has him buzzed for a brief second, but Kromah immediately responds with another swift combination to the face, and after a big left hook smash to his nose Ristea decides he's had enough, and surrenders.
TKO 2 Mory Kromah
He stole the show at Glory 100 against Bahram, and he's had the Performance of the Night tonight as well.
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Co Main Event
Welterweight Championship
Chico Kwasi (C) vs Mehdi Ait El Hadj
Round 1: Good 1st round for the Challenger. Putting his punches together well, and landing a solid spinning back kick toward the end of the round. It looked pretty low, but the referee let it slide. I'm sure it didn't feel too good. I'd favor the work of El Hadj though.
Round 2: Close 2nd round throughout, but the Champion finishes strong picking up the pace, and getting in some head kicks as well. His attack is very kick focused, but it was effective in that round.
Round 3: The Champion Kwasi seized full control that round, and the momentum is entirely in his favor now. I think he's going to continue to dominate El Hadj who is mostly fighting on the backfoot now, and getting taken apart by the Champion from a distance.
Round 4: Kwasi continues picking him apart with those kicks. His punches are just kinda arm shots, but his kicks are forceful, and he delivers them all over. Legs, body, head. He's been in complete control since the 3rd, and I thought he won the 2nd round as well. Looks like he's 1 round away from another successful title defense.
Round 5: Kwasi is so rangy with those leg kicks, El Hadj keeps trying to fire counter right hands, and most of them fall short. He's gotten a few in there, but the Champion clearly has won the fight.
I got it 49-46 for Chico Kwasi
Official Decision: 50-45 2x, 49-46 3x for your winner and still Welterweight Champion Chico Kwasi
Welterweight Championship
Chico Kwasi (C) vs Mehdi Ait El Hadj
Round 1: Good 1st round for the Challenger. Putting his punches together well, and landing a solid spinning back kick toward the end of the round. It looked pretty low, but the referee let it slide. I'm sure it didn't feel too good. I'd favor the work of El Hadj though.
Round 2: Close 2nd round throughout, but the Champion finishes strong picking up the pace, and getting in some head kicks as well. His attack is very kick focused, but it was effective in that round.
Round 3: The Champion Kwasi seized full control that round, and the momentum is entirely in his favor now. I think he's going to continue to dominate El Hadj who is mostly fighting on the backfoot now, and getting taken apart by the Champion from a distance.
Round 4: Kwasi continues picking him apart with those kicks. His punches are just kinda arm shots, but his kicks are forceful, and he delivers them all over. Legs, body, head. He's been in complete control since the 3rd, and I thought he won the 2nd round as well. Looks like he's 1 round away from another successful title defense.
Round 5: Kwasi is so rangy with those leg kicks, El Hadj keeps trying to fire counter right hands, and most of them fall short. He's gotten a few in there, but the Champion clearly has won the fight.
I got it 49-46 for Chico Kwasi
Official Decision: 50-45 2x, 49-46 3x for your winner and still Welterweight Champion Chico Kwasi
Re: Glory 103: Ben Saddik vs Ritgers
Main Event
Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier
Jamal Ben Saddik vs Levi Ritgers
Round 1: Ben Saddik landing many heavy punches, and backing Ritgers up throughout the round. Ben Saddik takes this round Unanimously on all judges cards.
Round 2: Ben Saddik's pace slows a lot here, he still lands his share of heavy blows, but Ritgers answers back with more, and takes the round on most cards.
Round 3: It's another close round until halfway through Levi Ritgers with a highlight reel finish throws a spinning back kick that lands picture perfect on Ben Saddik's liver, and puts him down for the count. A beautiful knockout!
KO 3 Levi Ritgers
Finish of the Night!
Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier
Jamal Ben Saddik vs Levi Ritgers
Round 1: Ben Saddik landing many heavy punches, and backing Ritgers up throughout the round. Ben Saddik takes this round Unanimously on all judges cards.
Round 2: Ben Saddik's pace slows a lot here, he still lands his share of heavy blows, but Ritgers answers back with more, and takes the round on most cards.
Round 3: It's another close round until halfway through Levi Ritgers with a highlight reel finish throws a spinning back kick that lands picture perfect on Ben Saddik's liver, and puts him down for the count. A beautiful knockout!
KO 3 Levi Ritgers
Finish of the Night!