On Saturday, December 7, 2024 , GLORY Collision 7 took place in the GelreDome in Arnhem, an event that turned the kickboxing world upside down with intense fights and unexpected twists. Below is an extensive review of the most important matches of the evening.
Main match: Rico Verhoeven vs. Levi Rigters
The long-awaited confrontation between heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven and challenger Levi Rigters did not disappoint. In front of over 20,000 spectators, the 35-year-old Verhoeven successfully defended his title, confirming his status as 'The King of Kickboxing' once again.
The fight started with both athletes carefully executing their strategies. Verhoeven showed his trademark technical precision and stamina, while Rigters aggressively sought out opening opportunities. In the third round, Rigters managed to corner Verhoeven briefly, but the champion quickly recovered and took over the initiative. After five rounds, the judges unanimously declared Verhoeven the winner, successfully completing his twelfth title defense.
Co-Main Event: Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena
In the light heavyweight division, champion Tarik Khbabez faced challenger Donegi Abena . The fight was a true war of attrition, with both fighters using their strengths and techniques to the max. In the end, a split decision was won by Khbabez, who retained his title.
After the fight, Abena surprised the crowd by announcing his retirement from the sport, a decision he made after a moment of disrespect during the event.
Other Parties
-
Bahram Rajabzadeh vs. Daniel Stefanovski : Rajabzadeh dominated the fight and won via TKO in the first round after three knockdowns.
-
Sergei Maslobojev vs. Ștefan Lătescu : Maslobojev secured a unanimous decision victory after three rounds.
-
Cem Cáceres vs. Pascal Touré : Cáceres continued his unbeaten run with a unanimous decision victory.
-
Sofian Laïdouni vs. Ionuț Iancu : Laïdouni won convincingly with a unanimous decision.
Rise of Levi Rigters
A particularly emotional moment was the entrance of Levi Rigters . Shortly before the event he lost a loved one, which made his entrance extra charged. The audience showed their support and respect for Rigters in this difficult time.
Conclusion
GLORY Collision 7 was an evening filled with high-level kickboxing, surprising twists and emotional moments. With successful title defenses and unexpected announcements, GLORY continues to captivate the audience and set the bar high for future events.
