GLORY kickboxing returned to the Netherlands on Saturday, June 25, for GLORY 31: Amsterdam.
The headliner featured two of the world’s best kickboxers meeting in a title clash for the second time. Robin van Roosmalen attempted to defend his GLORY lightweight world title against Sittichai Sitsongpeenong. In their first meeting, controversy struck when the judge’s scores were read. Just about everyone in the world who watched GLORY 25 scored the fight for Sittichai, but the ISKA-provided judges gave the champion a 48-47 scorecard on all three ballots.
The co-main event featured top-10 heavyweights positioning for a shot at Rico Verhoeven’s title. Ismael Londt already earned his title shot by winning the GLORY heavyweight contender tournament at GLORY 29. He dispatched of former top-10 heavyweight Anderson “Braddock” Silva and current Kunlun Fight and Enfusion heavyweight champion Jahfarr Wilnis. Londt put his potential shot at the title on the table when he met Hesdy Gerges. Londt previously defeated Gerges in the quarterfinals of the 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix.
In the evening’s welterweight contender tournament, Murthel Groenhart and Yoann Kongolo had a chance to earn rematches with GLORY welterweight champ Nieky Holzken. Groenhart faced off with rising GLORY newcomer Karim Benmansour, one of the best welterweights outside of the promotion. Kongolo was vying for his spot in the finals against skilled veteran Harut Grigorian. The winners met in the tournament finals.
The GLORY 31 main card aired live at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN 3 and EversportTV. The GLORY 31 Super Fight Series aired live at 1:30 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass. The main card will replay on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 26.
Murthel Groenhart def. Yoann Kongolo by unanimous decision (29-27 x3) – welterweight tournament final
Ismael Londt def. Hesdy Gerges by split decision (28-27, 27-28, 28-27)
Yoann Kongolo def. Harut Grigorian by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) – welterweight tournament semifinal
Murthel Groenhart def. Karim Benmansour by TKO (knockdown rule). Round 3, 1:08 – welterweight tournament semifinal
Zack Mwekassa def. Mourad Bouzidi by TKO (punches). Round 1, 1:47 – for interim light heavyweight title
Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym def. Eddy Naït-Slimani by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-28)
Isis Verbeek def. Irina Mazepa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – women’s super bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Anatoly Moiseev def. Josh Jauncey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Eyevan Danenberg def. Máximo Suárez by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)