On April 5, 2025, Glory 99 electrified the combat sports scene at the Rotterdam Ahoy, featuring an impressive lineup of sixteen heavyweight bouts as part of the highly anticipated "Last Heavyweight Standing" tournament. With the excitement palpable, fans were treated to a night of thrilling action, showcasing some of the best talents in kickboxing.
The event kicked off at 19:00 local time and streamed live on DAZN, marking a significant shift in broadcasting for Glory, which previously aired on Videoland. DAZN, the new home for Glory events, offered fans the opportunity to watch the action unfold for a pay-per-view price of $14 in the U.S. and £14.99 in the UK.
Among the standout fights was the main event, where Jamal Ben Saddik faced off against Cristian Ristea. Ben Saddik, a two-time Glory heavyweight champion with a record of 37 wins and 9 losses, managed to secure victory via unanimous decision despite battling through an open shin wound. His resilience and skill shone through as he outperformed Ristea, who holds a record of 44 wins and 25 losses and is the current Golden Fighter Championship heavyweight champion.
“I fought with an open shin wound, but I knew I had to push through,” Ben Saddik stated following his win. “Every fight is crucial in this tournament, and I’m here to prove I’m the best.”
Another thrilling matchup featured Bahram Rajabzadeh, who delivered a stunning performance against Brian Douwes. Rajabzadeh, known for his striking prowess, dominated the fight, knocking Douwes down three times within just 2 minutes and 41 seconds, leading to a technical knockout victory.
“It felt great to be back in the ring and to perform like this,” Rajabzadeh said. “I’m looking forward to continuing my journey in this tournament.”
Tariq Osaro also made headlines by defeating Benjamin Adegbuyi in a swift encounter that lasted only one round. After delivering two knockdowns, the referee stepped in to stop the fight, handing Osaro the victory.
Meanwhile, Nico Horta surprised fans by knocking out Rade Opačić in the second round, celebrating his victory with a cartwheel that electrified the crowd. Horta's unexpected win added to the evening's excitement and showcased the unpredictability of the sport.
The results from the other bouts further illustrated the depth of talent on display at Glory 99. Miloš Cvjetićanin edged out Nabil Khachab in a split decision, while Sofian Laïdouni made a statement with a first-round knockout of Oleh Pryimachov. Additionally, Asadulla Nasipov secured a unanimous decision victory over Murat Aygün, and Mory Kromah defeated Nicolas Wamba by technical knockout in the second round.
Other notable results included Tomáš Možný's unanimous decision win against Sina Karimian, Alin Nechita's victory over Ahmed Krnjić by unanimous decision, and Ionut Iancu's first-round technical knockout against Cihad Kepenek. Iraj Azizpour also impressed with a knockout victory over Yuri Farcas, delivering a stunning spinning backfist in the second round.
As the night progressed, Asdren Gashi achieved a split decision win over Nidal Bchiri, while Colin George defeated Miroslav Vujović by knockout due to an arm injury in the second round. Anis Bouzid capped off the evening with a first-round knockout against Nathan Cook, and Luigi Gashi secured a unanimous decision victory over Petr Romankevich.
The results from Glory 99 not only set the stage for the next phase of the "Last Heavyweight Standing" tournament but also highlighted the incredible talent and competitive spirit within the heavyweight division. Fans can look forward to more action as the tournament continues, culminating in Glory 100, where reigning champion Rico Verhoeven is set to defend his title against Artem Vakhitov on June 14, 2025.
With Glory 99 now in the books, the anticipation for the upcoming matches is at an all-time high. The stakes are higher than ever as fighters push their limits in pursuit of glory and the title of the world's best heavyweight.
