Review Glory Collision 7. A Night of Champions, Emotions and Unforgettable Fights

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, GLORY Collision 7 took place at the GelreDome in Arnhem, an event that turned the kickboxing world upside down with intense fights and unexpected twists. Below is a detailed review of the main bouts of the evening.

Main Event: 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, reaffirming his status as "The King of Kickboxing." 

The fight began with both athletes carefully executing their strategies. Verhoeven displayed his characteristic technical precision and endurance, while Rigters aggressively sought openings. In the third round, Rigters briefly pressured Verhoeven, but the champion quickly recovered and took control. 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 battle of attrition, with both fighters maximizing their strength and techniques. Ultimately, a split decision favored Khbabez, allowing him to retain his title.

After the fight, Abena surprised the audience by announcing his retirement from the sport, a decision he made following a moment of disrespect during the event. 

Other Matches

• Bahram Rajabzadeh vs. Daniel Stefanovski: Rajabzadeh dominated the fight and won via TKO in the first round after three knockdowns.

• Sergej Maslobojev vs. Ștefan Lătescu: Maslobojev secured a unanimous decision victory after three rounds.

• Cem Cáceres vs. Pascal Touré: Cáceres extended his undefeated streak with a unanimous decision victory.

• Sofian Laïdouni vs. Ionuț Iancu: Laïdouni won convincingly by unanimous decision.

Entrance 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 even more charged. The audience showed their support and respect for Rigters during this difficult time.

Conclusion

GLORY Collision 7 was an evening full of 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.