GLORY kickboxing returned to the United States on Friday, May 13, for GLORY 30: Los Angeles. The middleweight division was in the spotlight with four of the world’s top six 187-pound kickboxers fighting at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.
Newly crowned GLORY middleweight world champion Simon Marcus put his title on the line against surging top contender Dustin Jacoby. Marcus won the title when former champion Artem Levin decided he didn’t want to continue fighting after the third round at GLORY 27. Marcus spent much of the past year tied up with Levin after meeting him for the title twice, with their second of three meetings taking place just over one year ago. Jacoby had been the more active fighter of late, earning his place opposite Marcus with two one-night, four-man tournament victories.
The GLORY qualification tournament series returned as four North American welterweights vied for a position in an upcoming welterweight contender tournament. Tournament favorite Casey Greene was unbeaten since dropping to welterweight in October. Greene put his impressive GLORY record on the line against Lion Fight veteran Richard Abraham, who was undefeated since debuting at GLORY 27. Greene held wins over the two men fighting in the other tournament semifinal, Francois Ambang and Daniel Morales. Ambang held his own against Greene before getting finished at GLORY 24, and Morales went the distance with Greene in a losing effort at GLORY 27.
The GLORY Super Fight Series featured two of the world’s top middleweights fighting for their shot at the winner of the middleweight main event. Joe Schilling returned to face Jason Wilnis in a rematch of their hotly contested GLORY 24 bout just seven months ago. Schilling had won five of his past six fights. Wilnis had stayed active in GLORY and Kunlun Fight. He was coming off a win over former top-10 middleweight Filip Verlinden at GLORY 28.
The GLORY 30 Super Fight Series aired live on UFC Fight Pass at 10 p.m. ET. The main card aired live at 12:30 a.m. ET on ESPN 3 in the United States and EversportTV worldwide.
Richard Abraham def. Francois Ambang by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27) – welterweight tournament final
Marat Grigorian def. Coulibaly Djime by knockout (head kick). Round 1, 1:56
Francois Ambang def. Daniel Morales by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – welterweight tournament semifinal
Richard Abraham def. Casey Greene by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27) – welterweight tournament semifinal
Jason Wilnis def. Joe Schilling by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
Guto Inocente def. Brian Douwes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Tiffany van Soest def. Esma Hasshass by unanimous decision (30-26 x3)
Mike Lemaire def. Karl Roberson by unanimous decision (30-26 x3)
Manny Mancha def. Warren Thompson by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)