Glory 8 Results: Yuta Kubo wins featherweight tournament

Glory 8 took place in Tokyo last night and featured Glory’s featherweight 8-man tournament. When the night was over it was Yuta Kubo who was the last man standing. Kubo defeated Masaaki Noiri in the tournament finals by decision to win take home the tournament crown. To make it to the final’s Noiri took out Liam Harrison after defeating him in the quarterfinals via a cut, and then won a decision over Mosab Amrani. Kubo defeated Chin Bin Lim by (T)KO in quarterfinals and Canada’s Gabriel Varga by decision in the semi-finals.

In the night’s super fights two legends of the sport showed they still had the right stuff. Jerome Le Banner def. Koichi Watanabe by decision and Peter Aerts scored a (T)KO over young gun Jamal Ben Saddik in what was an action packed fight. Early on it looked like it was going to be Saddik’s fight as he came out aggressive and knocked Aerts down in the first round. In the second round it was a whole different story, Aerts came out swinging for the fences and knocked down Saddik early in the round and then twice more later in the round to take home the (T)KO victory. In one of the night’s other super fight Andy Risite stopped Albert Kraus in the second round with a knee. It’s an impressive return back to the ring after Ristie’s less than stellar Glory 6 performance in Istanbul.

Full Results:

Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal

Mosab Amrani def. Marcus Vinicius by Decision

Masaaki Noiri def. Liam Harrison via (T)KO (Cut) in Rd. 2

Gabriel Varga def. Abdellah Ezbiri via Decision

Yuta Kubo def. Chi Bin Lim via KO in Rd. 2

Featherweight Tournament Semi-Final

Masaaki Noiri def. Mosab Amrani via Decision

Yuta Kubo def. Gabriel Varga via Decision

Featherweight Tournament Final

Yuta Kubo def. Masaaki Noiri via Decision

Featherweight Tournament Reserve Fights

Andrej Bruhl def. Yukihiro Komiya via Decision

Chonlek Super Pro Samui def. Zen Fujita via Decision

Super Fights

Yoshihiro Sato def. Sung Hyun via Decision

Jerome Le Banner def. Koichi Watanabe via Decision

Andy Ristie def. Albert Kraus via KO (Knee) in Rd. 2

Peter Aerts def. Jamal Ben Saddik via (T)KO (3 Knockdowns) in Rd. 2

Chad and Nathan's Pick 3: Glory 8

With Glory 8 just a few days away, Chad Sanderson of Fight Sport Asia and Nathan Aripez of Muay Thai Authority have teamed up once again to bring you predictions for three fights at this weekend’s Glory 8 event. With Glory 8 featuring the featherweight tournament, Chad and Nathan will give you their picks on two of the night’s fights as well as who they think will be the last man standing in the 8-man 65 kilo tournament. Let us know if you agree or disagree with our dashing hosts.

For the latest news on combat sports in Asia make sure to visit our friends at FightSportAsia.com, for the latest on the North American Striking scene stay locked on here at MuayThaiAuthority.com.

Peter Aerts vs. Jamal Ben Saddik

Chad’s Pick – Jamal Ben Saddick
I’m a little torn on this fight. Jamal Ben Saddick is a big, strong, behemoth of a man. But there’s no doubt in my mind that his recent wins over Errol Zimmerman were due in part to the unusual tournament ruleset. His stamina is an issue, and once he tires out it could be over. That being said, I think Peter Aerts’ time is up. He was showing his age against Tyrone Spong, and has been more susceptible to injuries over years past. While he did beat Semmy Schilt in one of the most intelligent performances of his life back in 2010, I don’t think he has the athleticism to deal with the 23 year old Saddick. I’m picking Jamal by TKO in round 2.

Nathan’s Pick – Jamal Ben Saddik
This is a match up of youth vs. age, and youth is going to win. The 42 year old Aerts is a legend and tough as nails, but the 23 year old Saddik is a heavy hitter. This fight will start evenly in the first round, but in the second Saddik will begin to pull away as he begins to unload on Aerts. 80% of Saddik’s wins have come by stoppage, and he continues his trend of finishing fights in this one. Saddik wins by (T)KO.

Albert Kraus vs. Andy Ristie

Chad’s Pick – Albert Kraus
Albert Kraus is a bad matchup for Andy Ristie. Ristie is a very wide puncher- his strength is overwhelming his opponents with sheer volume and power, but if that doesn’t work the fight usually turns into an ugly mess. Not only that, but Ristie has a tendency to ignore his defense when he begins to turn up the pressure- something that is dangerous against a strong counter puncher like Kraus. Another issue his cardio. Andy has a real problem with setting a pace, and if he doesn’t get a quick finish he usually looks exhausted by the end of the fight. Basically, Kraus is strong in every area Ristie is not. He has patience, extreme endurance, and nasty boxing. I could see this one ending before the final bell. I’ll take Albert Kraus by TKO in Round 3.

Nathan’s Pick – Albert Kraus
Ristie did not look like his usual self in his last fight at Glory 6 against Alessandro Campagna. If he shows up to fight Albert Kraus looking like that he is in for a long night. Kraus is currently on a five fight win streak which includes three wins in one night as part of the WLF-World 8 Man Tournament. Despite some moments in the fight for Ristie, Kraus will impose his will as he presses the action in the fight and earns a hard fought decision victory over Ristie.

Glory Featherweight 8-Man Grand Slam

Chad’s Pick – Yuta Kubo
This such a good tournament. Really. It’s awesome. And while I’m pretty confident about my pick to win, it could just as easily swing back in another direction. Kubo is going to be coming into this tournament physically larger than most of the others after his attempt to steadily work his way into the 70 kilo division. He’s been undefeated for nnearly the last three years and is the undisputed kingboxing king of Japan. I’m relatively certain he’ll get past his first fight of the tournament, Korea’s Chi Bin Lim, which will then open a path to either Gabriel Varga or Abdallah Ezbiri. Kubo has beaten Ezbiri twice before, and I believe Varga is comparatively inexperienced. The other side of the bracket is full of monsters. Liam Harrison, Masaaki Noiri, and Mosab Amrani will be destroying each other. There’s almost no way they’ll enter the finals unscathed, whereas there’s a strong chance Kubo could be in relatively healthy condition. I’m going with Kubo to win the whole tournament, capping off the finals with a decision victory.

Nathan’s Pick – Liam Harrison
Mosab Amrani knocked out Liam Harrison in the first round of their recent encounter at Glory 5 with a body shot. You can bet the house that Harrison is chomping at the bit to even the score. If they both win their quarterfinal match-ups they will meet in the tournament semi-finals. In the eyes of many this tournament is Harrison or Amrani’s. Harrison will out point Amrani en route to a decision win when they re-match and Harrison then cruises to victory in the tournament finals.

Glory signs deal with CBS Sports Network, Glory 7 set to air on tape delay

Glory has signed a deal with CBS Sports Network to air Glory 7 Milan on tape delay. Glory 7 will feature Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Hafid El Boustati in the main event on Saturday, April 20. The event will air on CBS Sports Network at 1:00 a.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 21 (Same day delay), as part of Glory's new programming agreement with the national TV platform. Also airing on CBS Sports Network will be Glory 8 Tokyo which will take place next month and feature a 143lb one night 8 man tournament. Mosab Amrani and Liam Harrios will be participating in the tournament as well as Canadian Gabriel Varga.

You can read the official press release from Glory below.

GLORY SIGNS TELEVISION AGREEMENT WITH

CBS SPORTS NETWORK TO SHOWCASE

WORLD’S PREMIER KICKBOXING ACTION

ACTION KICKS OFF WITH TELECAST OF

STAR-STUDDED GLORY 7 MILAN EVENT

SINGAPORE (April 17, 2013) –Glory Sports International and CBS Sports Network have reached an agreement to showcase action from the world’s premier kickboxing league, beginning with the star-studded GLORY 7 event in Milan, Italy on Saturday, April 20.

The CBS Sports Network telecast of the nine-bout GLORY 7 Milan kickboxing event from Mediolanum Forum, headlined by a showdown between world No. 1 ranked lightweight (154 pounds/70 kilograms) Giorgio Petrosyan (75-1, 35 KOs) of Italy and fellow sensation Hafid El Boustati (67-7-3, 18 KOs) of The Netherlands, will air at 1:00 a.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 21 (Same day delay).

“We look forward to expanding our relationship with CBS Sports Network, a tremendous national sports television platform, and bringing U.S. sports fans some of the hardest-hitting, world-class kickboxing action featuring elite martial arts fighters from around the world,” said GLORY Sports International CEO Andrew Whitaker.

GLORY action on CBS Sports Network continues from Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan with a one-night, eight-man, single-elimination tournament in GLORY’s featherweight (143 pounds/65 kilograms) division that airs Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 a.m. ET/11:00 p.m. PT (Same day delay).  In addition to the tournament, several Superfights, including a heavyweight rematch between all-time great Jerome Le Banner (73-21-2, 59 KOs) of France and Muay Thai champion Koichi (26-8-1, 15 KOs) highlight the card. 

Additional CBS Sports Network telecast dates of GLORY events will be announced soon.

GLORY made its debut on CBS Sports Network from Tokyo on December 31, 2012 with GLORY 4 Tokyo, a one-night, 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournament loaded with an unprecedented lineup of the world’s greatest heavyweight fighters.

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

For more information, visit www.gloryworldseries.com.

Match ups announced for Glory 8: Tokyo 143lb tournament

The draw for the Glory 143lb tournament taking place at Glory 8: Tokyo took place last week and the match ups are set. Most people are probably interested in the potential re-match between Mosab Amrani and Liam Harrison. Amrani knocked out Harrison with a body shot in the first round, and it seems the pair will meet again if they can both get past their quarterfinal bouts. Amrani will square off with Marcus Vinicius and Harrison with Masaaki Noiri. On the opposite side of the bracket Adellah Ezbiri will fight Gabriel Varga, and Yuta Kubo will fight Chi Bin Lim. Amrani and Harrison have to be considered the favorites going in, but as always in the tournament format anything can happen.

Also on the fight card Kickboxing legend Jerome Le Banner will fight against Koichi Pettas. Other match up on the event include Peter Aerts vs. Jamal Ben Saddik, Albert Kraus vs. Andy Ristie, and Anderson Silva vs. Jaideep Singh. Another stacked fight card from Glory that should produce fire works.

Fight Card:
Jerome Le Banner vs. Koichi Pettas
Peter Aerts vs. Jamal Ben Saddik
Anderson Silva vs. Jaideep Singh
Albert Kraus vs. Andy Ristie

143lb Tournament Quarterfinals
Mosab Amrani vs. Marcus Vinicius
Masaaki Noiri vs. Liam Harrison
Abdellah Ezbiri vs. Gabriel Varga
Yuta Kubo vs. Abdellah Ezbiri

Tournament Reserve Bouts
Chonglek Super Pro Samui vs. Zen Fujita
Andre Bruhl vs. Yukihiro Komiya

Kevin Ross set to make Glory debut in Japan "Slam" tournament; Mosab Amrani among tournament competitors

Kevin Ross will officially make his Glory debut on May 3 in Tokyo, Japan at Glory 8. Ross will be competing in a one-night, eight-man tournament. The “Slam” tournament will also feature Mosab Amrani, Abdellah Ezbiri, and Marcos Vinicius. The remaining four slots have yet to be filled. The winner of the Road to Glory Japan tournament on March 10 is expected to be one of the remaining four participants.

Before Ross heads over to Glory he will be fighting against Bernie Mendieta at Lion Fight 9 in Las Vegas on March 15^th.

You can read the full press release for Glory 8 below.

SUPERSTARS ALIGN FOR GLORY 8 TOKYO

FEATHERWEIGHT ‘SLAM’ KICKBOXING TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, MAY 3

Kevin Ross, Abdellah Ezbiri, Mosab Amrani, Marcos Vinicius and Road To GLORY Japan winner slated for action in

eight-man, single-elimination tournament

Tickets on sale Friday, March 1

SINGAPORE (Feb. 28, 2013) – GLORY, the world’s new premier kickboxing league, will return to Tokyo, Japan with a one-night, eight-man, single-elimination ‘Slam’ tournament featuring a collection of the brightest stars in the featherweight (65 kilograms/143 pounds) division, at Ariake Coliseum on Friday, May 3.

American superstar Kevin “El Presidente” Ross (37-9, 12 KOs) of Dublin, Calif. will make his highly-anticipated GLORY debut in the tournament field where he will be faced with an assembly of cutthroat competition in three-time French kickboxing champion Abdellah Ezbiri (32-6, 11 KOs) of Morocco via France, world Muay Thai champion Mosab “The Jaguar” Amrani (48-7-4, 14 KOs) of Holland and The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil reality series contestant and KO artist Marcos Vinicius (MMA Record: 20-4-1, 7 KOs) of Curitiba, Brazil.

Joining the first four elite fighters thus far confirmed for the tournament that will award its competitors with a total of $180,000 in prize money, including $100,000 to the winner, will be the victor of the inaugural, eight-man, development series ROAD TO GLORY Japan tournament at Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Sunday, March 10, as well as three additional competitors to be announce! d soon.

Tickets for GLORY 8 Tokyo on Friday, May 3, beginning at 16:00 at Ariake Coliseum, will be priced from ¥5,000, and will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. JST tomorrow, Friday, March 1, online at Pia (http://pia.jp/t/), E-Plus (http://eplus.jp) and Lawson Ticket (http:l-tike.com).

“With the fighter selection process for the GLORY 8 Tokyo featherweight Slam tournament underway, we are assembling what could very well be the most competitive tournament field in the history of kickboxing’s featherweight division,” said GLORY Sports International Managing Director Marcus Luer.  “We are bringing together the best possible group of talent from all parts of the wo! rld in order to determine who the reigning king of this division is.”

Ross, the 2010 Muay Thai North American Fighter of the Year, is widely recognized as the face of kickboxing in the U.S.  During his stellar career, the 32-year-old technician has faced and defeated a host of top-ranked rivals, including decorated Thai champions Malaipet “The Diamond” Sasiprapa and “Coke”  Chunhawat.

The 25-year-old Ezbiri has made  waves both in his native Europe as well as in Japan where he was the winner of another eight-man tournament in 2011 and finished as runner-up after a controversial decision loss in the championship stage of a 67 kilogram/148 pound tournament at the hands of Japanese phenom Yuta Kubo on Jan. 14.

Amrani, a 25-year-old, former intercontinental Muay Thai champion, rose to power after stopping Thai champ! ions Anuwat Kaewsamrit and Bovy Sor Udomson in 2008 and 2009, respectively.  Amrani also boasts a victory over Moroccan southpaw phenom Ibrahim Chiahou.  His tournament start marks a drop in weight after a stint at 70 kilograms/154 pounds.

Vinicius has gained widespread acclaim for his power since earning ‘KO of the Night’ honors at UFC 147 where he decimated Wagner Campos with a barrage of punches and knee strikes in the third round of their matchup on June 23, 2012.  During his stint on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, Vinicius trained under legend Wanderlei Silva.

For more information, visit www.gloryworldseries.com.

About GLORY:

GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world's new premiere kickboxing league, producing live events across the globe and offering up to $2 million in prize money to the winner! s of one-night, 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each of six different weight classes. The fight series also includes 8-man ‘Slam’ tournaments and events with traditional single bouts.

With television deals spanning every continent, online live video streaming of all shows and the world's largest online martial arts library, GLORY is one of the world's most widely distributed sporting organizations.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in the UK, Netherlands, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and soon in the US. Its personnel include an unprecedented mix of accomplished entrepreneurs and senior level executives from the diverse worlds of finance, sports marketing, television and martial arts fighting.

In 2013, GLORY launched the ROAD TO GLORY tournament fight series to identify and develop new kickboxing talent in the United States, Japan and elsewh! ere around the globe into future champions and superstars of the sport.