Glory (kickboxing)
Glory, formerly Glory World Series, is an international kickboxing promotion based in Singapore, which is owned by Pierre Andurand. It is one of the largest kickboxing promotion companies in the world and features some of the highest-level fighters in the sport on its roster. The company also has international offices in Denver, United States, and Amsterdam, Netherlands.
![]()  | |
| Type | Private | 
|---|---|
| Industry | Kickboxing promotion | 
| Founded | 2012 | 
| Founder | Pierre Andurand, Scott Rudmann, Total Sports Asia | 
| Headquarters | 30, Raffles Place, Level 17, Chevron House, Singapore | 
Key people  | Pierre Andurand (Chairman) Scott Rudmann (Vice-Chairman) Robbie Timmers (Matchmaker & Head of Talent)  | 
| Owner | GSUKCO LIMITED | 
| Website | www | 
Glory produces events worldwide that showcase seven weight divisions (six men's divisions and one women's division). As of 2021, Glory has held over 80 events. The first event was held in 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Background
    
When K-1 began suffering from extreme financial difficulties in 2011, Total Sports Asia, TSA CEO Marcus Luer, Pierre Andurand, and Scott Rudmann of Nectar Capital attempted to buy the brand. K-1 was instead sold to Mike Kim and EMCOM Entertainment Inc.
In the aftermath, Pierre Andurand, TSA, and the other investors decided to start a brand new kickboxing promotion and acquired United Glory, Golden Glory,[1] and It's Showtime to secure a top event production team and contracts to each promotion's top fighters. Forming the Glory World Series, Pierre Andurand was named Chairman and Scott Rudmann was named vice-chairman.[2] A number of people formerly involved with these three entities event became Glory consultants.[3]
Glory World Series signed most of the world's top kickboxers such as Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Semmy Schilt, Gokhan Saki, Daniel Ghiţă, Albert Kraus, and Giorgio Petrosyan.
Business
    
Glory Sports International has its offices in the Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US. The company includes a mix of entrepreneurs and senior level executives from different environments.[4] The company's investors include Yao Capital, Liberty Global, and TwinFocus Capital Partners.[5]
In February 2013, Glory announced that former WWE Executive VP Andrew Whitaker had been hired as the global CEO of Glory Sports International.[6] In 2018, Glory announced that former CEO of Glory Sports International, Jon J. Franklin had moved to the role of Chief Development Officer, and former UFC executive Marshall Zelaznik had been hired as the new CEO.[7]
On May 15, 2020, Glory announced Zelaznik had resigned as Glory CEO.[8]
On May 26, 2020, Glory Sports International went into receivership.[9]
Media coverage
    
In June 2013, after having its first U.S. event in New York, Glory 9: New York on June 22, 2013, Spike TV signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast Glory kickboxing events; their partnership began with Glory 11: Chicago on October 12 of that year. The broadcast deal with Spike was extended in May 2014 to cover 2015.[10]
In February 2016, Glory CEO Jon J. Franklin announced a new multi-year deal with ESPN.[11]
Beginning in 2019, Glory initiated a partnership with the UFC for the former's events to be exclusively carried in the U.S by UFC Fight Pass.[12] The first event to be broadcast as part of this partnership was Glory 63: Houston on February 1.
Events
     
Champions
    
    Current champions
    
| Division | Upper weight limit | Champion | Since | Title defenses | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Unlimited | June 21, 2014 | 10 | |
| Light Heavyweight | 95 kg (209.4 lb) | September 4, 2021 | 0 | |
| Middleweight | 85 kg (187.4 lb) | September 4, 2021 | 0 | |
| Welterweight | 77 kg (169.8 lb) | |||
| Lightweight | 70 kg (154.3 lb) | September 4, 2021 | 0 | |
| Featherweight | 65 kg (143.3 lb) | September 29, 2018 | 4 | |
| Women's Super Bantamweight | 55 kg (121.3 lb) | November 22, 2019 | 1 | 
  Indicates former interim champions.
  Indicates current lineal and interim champions.
Glory Heavyweight Championship
    
Weight limit: Unlimited
Glory Light Heavyweight Championship
    
Weight limit: 95 kg (209.4 lb)
Glory Middleweight Championship
    
Weight limit: 85 kg (187.4 lb)
Glory Welterweight Championship
    
Weight limit: 77 kg (169.8 lb)
Glory Lightweight Championship
    
Weight limit: 70 kg (154.3 lb)
Glory Featherweight Championship
    
Weight limit: 65 kg (143.3 lb)
Glory Women's Super Bantamweight Championship
    
Weight limit: 55 kg (121.3 lb)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current (2nd reign) | Glory 71: Chicago  | 
November 22, 2019 | 1. def. Aline Pereira at Glory 77: Rotterdam on January 30, 2021 in Rotterdam, Netherlands
 2. def. Manazo Kobayashi at Glory 80 on March 19, 2022 in Hasselt, Belgium  | |
| 4 (2nd reign) | Glory 61: New York  | 
November 2, 2018 | 1. def. Tiffany van Soest at Glory 64: Strasbourg on March 9, 2019 in Strasbourg, France
 2. def. Sofia Olofsson at Glory 66: Paris on June 22, 2019 in Paris, France  | |
| 3 | Glory 56: Denver  | 
August 10, 2018 | ||
| 2 | Glory 48: New York  | 
December 1, 2017 | 1. def. Amel Dehby at Glory 53: Lille on May 12, 2018 in Lille, France | |
| 1 | def. Amel Dehby  | 
Glory 36: Oberhausen  | 
December 10, 2016 | 
 1. def. Meryem Uslu at Glory 44: Chicago on August 25, 2017 in Hoffman Estates, USA  | 
Tournament champions
    
Contender Tournament champions
    
Qualification Tournament winners
    
| Weight Class | Champion | Runner-up | Event | Date | Tournament Bracket | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Glory Heavyweight Qualification Tournament | Glory 21: San Diego | May 8, 2015 | 2015 Glory Heavyweight Qualification Tournament bracket | ||
| 2015 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament | Glory 23: Las Vegas | August 7, 2015 | 2015 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament bracket | ||
| 2016 Glory Welterweight Qualification Tournament | Glory 30: Los Angeles | May 13, 2016 | 2016 Glory Welterweight Qualification Tournament bracket | ||
| 2017 Glory Featherweight Qualification Tournament | Glory 46: China | October 14, 2017 | 2017 Glory Featherweight Qualification Tournament bracket | ||
| 2017 Glory Middleweight Qualification Tournament | Glory 48: New York | December 1, 2017 | 2017 Middleweight Qualification Tournament bracket | ||
| 2018 Glory Lightweight Qualification Tournament | Glory 57: Shenzhen | August 25, 2018 | 2018 Glory Lightweight Qualification Tournament bracket | 
Road to Glory Tournament champions
    
| Weight Class | Champion | Runner-up | Event | Date | Tournament Bracket | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road to Glory USA 95 kg Tournament | Road to Glory USA 95 kg Tournament | February 2, 2013 | |||
| Road to Glory USA 85 kg Tournament | Road to Glory USA 85 kg Tournament | February 9, 2013 | |||
| Road to Glory Japan 65 kg Tournament | Road to Glory Japan 65 kg Tournament | March 10, 2013 | |||
| Road to Glory USA 77 kg Tournament | Road to Glory USA 77 kg Tournament | March 22, 2013 | |||
| Road to Glory Japan 85 kg Tournament | Road to Glory Japan 85 kg Tournament | May 3, 2013 | |||
| Road to Glory USA 70 kg Tournament | 2013 Road to Glory USA 70 kg Tournament | May 11, 2013 | |||
| Road to Glory USA Heavyweight Tournament | Road to Glory USA Heavyweight Tournament | June 14, 2013 | |||
| Road to Glory UK 65 kg Tournament | Road to Glory UK 65 kg Tournament | March 11, 2017 | 
Notable fighters
    
    Featherweight
    
Lightweight
    
 Chingiz Allazov
 Dzhabar Askerov
 Shemsi Beqiri
 Alessandro Campagna
 Sanny Dahlbeck
 Johann Fauveau
 Marat Grigorian
 Hinata
 Ky Hollenbeck
 Davit Kiria
 Albert Kraus
 Anatoly Moiseev
 Steve Moxon
 Giorgio Petrosyan
 Łukasz Pławecki
 Andy Ristie
 Robin van Roosmalen
 Dylan Salvador
 Simón Santana
 Yoshihiro Sato
 Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong
 Warren Stevelmans
 Jordan Watson
 Bruno Gazani
Welterweight
    
 Marc de Bonte
 Roberto Cocco
 Raymond Daniels
 Murat Direkçi
 Cedric Doumbe
 Karim Ghajji
 Harut Grigorian
 Murthel Groenhart
 Nieky Holzken
 Paweł Jędrzejczyk
 Karapet Karapetyan
 Yoann Kongolo
 Artur Kyshenko
 Yohan Lidon
 Thiago Michel
 Alim Nabiev
 Antoine Pinto
 Thongchai Sitsongpeenong
 Alexander Stetsurenko
 Chad Sugden
 Alex Tobiasson Harris
 Joseph Valtellini
Middleweight
    
 Israel Adesanya
 Wayne Barrett
 Yousri Belgaroui
 Chris Camozzi
 Dustin Jacoby
 Artem Levin
 Melvin Manhoef
 Simon Marcus
 L'houcine Ouzgni
 Sahak Parparyan
 Alex Pereira
 Agron Preteni
 Karl Roberson
 Joe Schilling
 Kengo Shimizu
 Bogdan Stoica
 Filip Verlinden
 Steve Wakeling
 Jason Wilnis
 Donovan Wisse
 Amir Zeyada
Light Heavyweight
    
 Donegi Abena
 Randy Blake
 Mourad Bouzidi
 Saulo Cavalari
 Nathan Corbett
 Abdarhmane Coulibaly
 Michael Duut
 Zinedine Hameur-Lain
 Danyo Ilunga
 Igor Jurković
 Freddy Kemayo
 Steve McKinnon
 Zack Mwekassa
 Nenad Pagonis
 Koichi Pettas
 Gökhan Saki
 Thiago Silva
 Tyrone Spong
 Andrei Stoica
 Stéphane Susperregui
 Luis Tavares
 Makoto Uehara
 Artem Vakhitov
 Pavel Zhuravlev
Heavyweight
    
 Benjamin Adegbuyi
 Peter Aerts
 Jamal Ben Saddik
 Remy Bonjasky
 Antonio Plazibat
 Mladen Brestovac
 Brian Douwes
 Ben Edwards
 Mirko Filipović
 Hesdy Gerges
 Daniel Ghiţă
 Badr Hari
 Guto Inocente
 Singh Jaideep
 Jérôme Le Banner
 Ismael Londt
 D'Angelo Marshall
 Cătălin Moroșanu
 Daniel Sam
 Semmy Schilt
 Antônio Silva
 Anderson Silva
 Giannis Stoforidis
 Ewerton Teixeira
 Rico Verhoeven
 Nicolas Wamba
 Jahfarr Wilnis
 Errol Zimmerman
See also
    
    
References
    
- John Joe O'Regan (2012-10-25). "GLORY takes over DREAM for NYE show - Fighters Only". Fightersonlymag.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
 - Dave Walsh. "Glory World Series Puts $1 Million USD on the Line in New Tournaments". LiverKick.com. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
 - "News - Â'ItÂ's ShowtimeÂ' promoter Simon Rutz retires from kickboxing business". Gloryworldseries.com. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
 - "About Us". Gloryworldseries.com. 2012-05-26. Archived from the original on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
 - Patrick Frater (13 September 2016). "Yao Ming, Liberty Global Invest in Kickboxing's Glory Sports". Variety.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
 - "News - Andrew Whitaker Named New Glory Ceo". Gloryworldseries.com. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
 - "GLORY Appoints Marshall Zelaznik as New CEO; Franklin Moves to Development Role". LiverKick. 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
 - "Marshall Zelaznik resigns as CEO of Glory Kickboxing, will stay on in advising role". 15 May 2020.
 - @aaronbronsteter (3 July 2020). "An update: I'm told by a GLORY exec..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
 - "Glory Appoints New CEO, Extends Spike TV Broadcast Deal". Sherdog.com. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
 - "Glory announces ESPN partnership and Glory 29 Copenhagen". © 2016 Vox Media, Inc. 2016-02-26. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
 - UFC FIGHT PASS AND GLORY REACH GROUND-BREAKING DEAL Feb 01 2019
 - Matthew Roth (29 September 2013). "Glory 10 and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs Bryan Vera results: Soooo...about last night". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
 - Dave Walsh. "Sem Schilt Retires". LiverKick.com. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
 - "GLORY Statement on Gokokhan Saki". gloryworldseries.com. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
 - Angelini, Olivier. "Cédric Doumbé n'est officiellement plus champion du Glory". boxemag.com. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
 - Dave Walsh. "GLORY Welterweight Champion Joseph Valtellini Vacates Championship". LiverKick.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
 - "ONE Championship Signs Marat Grigorian". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
 - Stets, Michael. "GLORY 37 weigh-in results: Robin van Roosmalen misses weight, stripped of Featherweight title". mmaplus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
 
