GLORY Kickboxing hosted its first event of 2021, GLORY 77, from the Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands on Saturday, Jan. 30.
The event was originally slated to feature four title fights, but an injury to heavyweight contender Jamal Ben Saddik forced the promotion to get creative. Rather than find a late-replacement challenger for heavyweight kingpin Rico Verhoeven, the company opted to put together a four-man tournament that includes the champ, along with former Enfusion titleholder Levi Rigters, former K-1 staple Hesdy Gerges, and recent ONE title challenger Tarik Khbabez.
In addition to the tournament, belts were on the line in the light-heavyweight, welterweight, and women’s super-bantamweight divisions.
The light-heavyweight clash pitted Russian champion Artem Vakhitov against interim titleholder — and current middleweight titleholder — Alex Pereira. At welterweight, Frenchman Cédric Doumbé met former champ — and current interim titleholder — Murthel Groenhart for a third time. Finally, super-bantamweight queen Tiffany van Soest defended her title against Pereira’s sister, Aline.
The action kicked off live with a preliminary card at 1 p.m. ET. The night’s main card aired below via Fite TV pay-per-view for $24.99, at 2 p.m. ET.
Alex Pereira def. Artem Vakhitov by split decision (46-49, 48-47, 45-50, 49-46, 49-46) – for light heavyweight title
Cédric Doumbé def. Murthel Groenhart by knockout (overhand right). Round 2, 2:52 – for welterweight title
Tarik Khbabez def. Levi Rigters by majority decision – heavyweight tournament semifinal
Rico Verhoeven def. Hesdy Gerges by unanimous decision – heavyweight tournament semifinal
Tiffany van Soest def. Aline Pereira by unanimous decision – for super bantamweight title
Luis Tavares def. Dongi Abena by unanimous decision
Martin Pacas def. Muhammed Balli by knockout (head kick and punches). Round 3, 2:23 – heavyweight tournament reserve bout