GLORY kickboxing returned to the United States on Friday, Sept. 9, for GLORY 33: New Jersey. The promotion traveled to the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton for the first time.
In the main event of evening, GLORY heavyweight world champion Rico Verhoeven knocked out Anderson “Braddock” Silva. The heavyweight champion put his reputation and much more on the line when he met the Brazilian knockout artist. It was announced this week that Verhoeven will fight top-10 heavyweight Badr Hari in one of the biggest heavyweight fights in recent kickboxing history at GLORY: Collision on Dec. 10.
The GLORY 33 main card featured a featherweight contender tournament and a battle of top heavyweights. Top-10 heavyweight Hesdy Gerges returns to the GLORY ring after dropping a split decision in his most recent outing against the No.1 contender Ismael Londt at GLORY 31: Amsterdam. Gerges looked to return to form against rising prospect Guto Inocente. The Brazilian has won four consecutive bouts since leaving MMA andthe UFC for kickboxing. Inocente recently beat former top-10 kickboxer Brian Douwes at GLORY 30: Los Angeles.
The former featherweight champion Serhiy Adamchuk returned one event after losing his title to former and current GLORY champion Gabriel Varga at GLORY 32: Virginia. The Ukranian was on a five-fight winning streak inside the promotion before dropping the closely contested decision in July. Matt Embree stole the show after meeting Giga Chikadze in the finals of the tournament.
In the main event of the GLORY 33 Super Fight Series, GLORY middleweight champion Simon Marcus lost his title when he fought challenger Jason Wilnis. Marcus won the title in controversial fashion at GLORY 27: Chicago when former champion Artem Levin decided not to continue during the bout. Marcus didn’t leave any questions in the ring after dismantling Dustin Jacoby in his first title defense. Wilnis earned his shot at the title and a rematch with Marcus after defeating Joe Schilling at GLORY 30.
The GLORY Super Fight Series aired live at 7:45 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass. The GLORY 33 main card aired live at 11:00 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 and Eversport TV.
Matt Embree def. Giga Chikadze by knockout (hook). Round 2, 1:28 – featherweight tournament final
Guto Inocente def. Hesdy Gerges by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Matt Embree def. Chi Bin Lim by TKO (two knockdowns in one round). Round 2, 3:00 – featherweight tournament semifinal
Giga Chikadze def. Serhiy Adamchuk by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) – featherweight tournament semifinal
Jason Wilnis def. Simon Marcus by TKO (three knockdowns). Round 3, 1:14 – for middleweight title
Chi Lewis-Parry def. Anthony McDonald by TKO (stoppage). Round 2, 3:00
Jessica Gladstone def. Daniela Graf by majority decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-29) – women’s super bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Francois Ambang def. Daniel Morales by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kevin VanNostrand def. David Moore by TKO (referee stoppage). Round 2, 0:35
Zarrukh Adashev def. Amine Ballafrikh by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Jennie Nedell def. Anna Shearer by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)