Preview by Lucas Bourdon:
Glory is back in the Big Apple and on Spike Saturday night with a card featuring a great lightweight tournament whose main attraction is obviously the best kickboxer in the world, the one and only Giorgio Petrosyan. Will the Armeno-Italian prodigy win yet another major kickboxing tournament or will Robin Van Roosmalen, Davit Kiria or Andy Ristie put an end to his incredible win streak?
Did those last two question establish some sort of suspense? Well, enjoy it while it lasts because I’m about to kill it. Yes, he will. No, they won’t. That’s not a dig at the rest of the field which is comprised of elite fighters (Van Roosmalen and Kiria at least, as we’ll see later I still have some reservations on Ristie as an elite fighter), but Petrosyan is just this damn good. He already has a pretty good case for greatest kickboxer of all time and should he keep it up for a few more years (which is very possible since he’s only 27) it will become pretty much inarguable.
Like always, Glory put together a very compelling card and this is a chance to see the best kickboxer in the world in action. Added bonus, if, like me you’re planning on watching Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring this week end, the card should end right before Pacquiao-Rios starts so you’ve got no excuse to miss it, believe me, you won’t regret it.
Main Event: Joe Schilling (15-5) vs. Wayne Barrett (3-0)
Luke Irwin: These two are a lot more similar than they are different. They both have extensive muay thai backgrounds, like using their length in the form of nasty kicks, and are very green on the kickboxing scene. I can see these two going back and forth for years over that belt. However, for Barrett, that time won’t be quite yet. Schilling via UD.
Lucas Bourdon: Outside of the tournament, the card is headlined by an American clash between the winner of the recent middleweight tournament Joe Schilling (15-5, 10 KOs) and the best prospect from the US, Wayne Barrett (3-0, 3 KOs). Honestly, outside of his toughness, I’m not overly impressed by Joe Schilling, I think the knockdown he was credited with in the extra round of the final against Artem Levin was a slip and that Levin should have had his hand raised at the end of that fight. On the other hand, despite his lack of pro experience, I am very impressed by what I’ve seen from Barrett and think he’s got a very bright future ahead of him. Wayne Barrett by KO.
Nolan Howell: In the battle of what is likely the best American kickboxing can offer, karateka Wayne Barrett takes on Muay Thai exponent Joe Schilling. Barrett has only been on the pro scene for three fights, but he looks impressive in each performance, notching KOs left and right. However, Schilling will just be too experienced here, having beaten some of the best in the world in the middleweight class. Joe Schilling by unanimous decision.
Co-Main Event: Ben Edwards (37-8-2) vs. Jamal Ben Saddik (24-3)
Luke Irwin: Edwards is a journeyman who has always preferred to stay local then to really dive head-first into the deep waters of a bigger promotion. Ben Saddik, meanwhile, is taking the alternate path. He’s only 23 and he is down to fight whomever, wherever, and whenever, which led him to make a surprisingly deep run in Glory’s Heavyweight Grand Slam Tournament. Fortune favors the bold. Ben Saddik via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: The co-headline fight will see Jamal Ben Saddik face Ben Edwards in a heavyweight that doesn’t really interest me all that much but should at least be fun while it lasts. Ben Saddik has more impressive wins but I’m going with Edwards to knock him out.
Nolan Howell: My affinity for Aussie kickboxers is well known and Ben Edwards doesn’t lose any love. Edwards has improved his technique to help shed a little of that image of a burly brawler and I believe he stops Jamal Ben Saddik here impressively. Ben Edwards by first-round TKO.
Lightweight Tournament Bout: Andy Ristie (42-3-1) vs. Giorgio Petrosyan (76-1-2)
Luke Irwin: The #1 and #2 lightweight kickboxers in the world, in my opinion, are paired up here in the semifinals. Amazingly, this is the first time they’ve ever crossed paths. Ristie is a favorite of mine to watch, but he’s looking across the ring at the best kickboxer in the world at any weight. Ouch. Petrosyan via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: In the first semi final, Petrosyan will face Andy Ristie, as I’ve previously mentioned, I’m not entirely sold on Ristie as an elite fighter mostly due to inconsistence. When Ristie is on, like in his knock out win over Albert Kraus, he’s one of the best offensive fighters in the games notably with his knees and his left hook. However he can get a bit wild and forget technique in favor of trying to land a big shot at all cost. While Ristie is one of the most entertaining fighters out there, his wild style plays right in the hands of the best defensive artist and counter striker on the planet. I expect Ristie to either: get knocked out if he pushes the pace for the entire fight, or lose a decision after his offensive output severely drops once he’s tasted a couple of counters.
Nolan Howell: Petrosyan.
Lightweight Tournament Bout: Davit Kiria (22-6) vs. Robin van Roosmalen (41-13-2)
Luke Irwin: You alllllll thought, I was crazy, CRAZY, I SAY, when I picked Kiria over Murthel Groenhart last card. But I admired the fact that Kiria, despite being unseasoned, was fighting way above his head and gaining that valuable experience. As I’ve said before, fortunate favors the bold, and I like Kiria to prove me right yet again! Kiria via decision.
Lucas Bourdon: In the other semi final, Davit Kiria looks to avenge his 2011 loss to Robin Van Roosmalen in what should be a very entertaining fight. Both fighters are pressure fighters but while Van Roosmalen has a very traditional dutch style, (punching combinations ending with either a body shot, low kick or knee once the opponent covers up) Kiria is a bit more unorthodox, mixing the diverse kicking game his karate background gave him with solid and precise boxing. While it would probably be wiser to try to outmaneuver and outkick Van Roosmalen, I suspect Kiria will go with a more familiar strategy and go toe to toe with Van Roosmalen, losing a tough fight by close decision in the process.
Nolan Howell: van Roosmalen.
Lightweight Tournament Reserve Bout: Ky Hollenbeck (16-2-1) vs. Warren Stevelmans (58-19-4)
Luke Irwin: I picked Hollenbeck over Kraus in another prediction that I had no part taking, but I think we’re seeing a new generation of fighters pop up and some of the old favorites that carried the division for so many years are going the way of the dodo. Hollenbeck is still very wet behind the ears on a major kickboxing stage, but I think in some cases, being too young to know better can be a big advantage. Another big upset pick. Hollenbeck via KO.
Lucas Bourdon: In the last fight of the card to air on Spike, Ky Hollenbeck will square up against journeyman Warren Stevelmans. Stevelmans is coming in as a late replacement for Shemsi Beqiri after having lost a decision to Chingiz Allazov just two weeks ago in Russia. Both are solid mid tier fighters but the late notice and quick turn around makes this a tough challenge for Stevelmans. Hollenbeck by decision.
Nolan Howell: Since 2010, Hollenbeck is 12-4, with one of those losses coming to Giorgio Petrosyan. Hollenbeck is simply on a roll and he will continue that streak against a game, but outclassed opponent. Ky Hollenbeck by unanimous decision.
Glory Lightweight Tournament Winner
Luke Irwin: Giorgio Petrosyan
Lucas Bourdon: Giorgio Petrosyan
Nolan Howell: Giorgio Petrosyan
-Lucas can be reached @lucas_bourdon
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
