This is the Glory 100 live blog for Rico Verhoeven vs. Artem Vakhitov, the main card heavyweight championship bout Saturday at Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Verhoeven has reigned as Glory heavyweight champion for over 4,000 days and has not lost a fight since January 2015. The legendary Dutchman’s incredible run includes 12 consecutive title defenses, with championship bout wins over Levi Rigters, Jamal Ben Saddik, Badr Hari, and Daniel Ghita among other notable names.
Vakhitov returns to kickboxing after a brief flirtation with the UFC. Following a first-round knockout of Islem Masraf on Dana White’s Contender Series this past October, the stage seemed set for Vakhitov to sign a UFC contract and set up a future fight with rival Alex Pereira. However, Vakhitov did not come to terms with the UFC and instead competes again for Glory, where he previously reigned as light heavyweight champion.
Check out the Glory 100 live blog for Rico Verhoeven vs. Artem Vakhitov below.
Round 1: Both fighters meet in the center of the rind and Vakhitov opens with a leg kick. Verhoeven keeps the distance with push kicks, connecting with left kick to the body and then going upstairs for a head kick. Verhoeven connects a good uppercut that bothers Vakhitov. Vakhitov lands combos that can’t break Verhoeven’s guard. The champion lands a nice uppercut and Vakhitov tries to counter, but can’t land anything flush. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 Verhoeven.
Round 2: Verhoeven opens with a combination that lands, and Verhoeven responds with a good combination as Verhoeven connects leg kicks. Vakhitov tries to respond and connects a good left hand that catches his attention and drops his mouthpiece. Vakhitov follows with a nice spinning back kick to the body that lands perfectly. Verhoeven ends the round with a good 1-2 combination. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Verhoeven.
Round 3: They come back more aggressive in round three and Vakhitov is connecting more. Verhoeven again throws a head kick followed by leg kicks. Verhoeven eats a good right hand to the tempe and then it’s Vakhitov who gets a uppercut flush to the chin. Round ends, and Verhoeven again connected the better strikes. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Verhoeven.
Round 4: Verhoeven connects a good combination with Vakhitov against the ropes, and follows up with more uppercuts and leg kicks that keep Vakhitov away from him. Verhoeven goes head and leg again with kicks, over and over, adding uppercuts to the end of the combination. Vakhitov appears top struggle with the size difference. Vakhitov connects three punches that do nothing to Verhoeven. Verhoeven blasts Vakhitov with a right hand, but also doesn’t rock him. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Verhoeven.
Round 5: Final round begins and Verhoeven connects punch combinations that force Vakhitov to walk backwards. Verhoeven closes the distance and attacks the body with punches and a short knee. 80 seconds left and crowd boos, as Vakhitov needs a finish for the win. Referee breaks the clinch and Vakhitov simply has no answer doe Verhoeven’s attacks. They trade head kicks that land with no real damage. Vakhitov attempts a spinning kick and Verhoeven responds with a head kick. Final seconds on the clock and Vakhitov throws a spinning back kick that doesn’t find a target. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 Verhoeven, and 50-45 for Verhoeven.
Official decision: Verhoeven def. Vakhitov via unanimous decision (50-45×5)
Click here for complet Glory 100 results.
