.png)
GLORY Kickboxing is gearing up for its most ambitious endeavor yet, announcing a groundbreaking 32-man single-elimination heavyweight tournament scheduled for 2025. Dubbed Last Heavyweight Standing, the tournament promises to bring together some of the best strikers in combat sports for an epic showdown.
Set to begin on April 5 at GLORY 99 in the Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands, the tournament will span five events. All 16 opening-round matchups will take place at GLORY 99, with the final eight fighters advancing to a finale where they will compete in three bouts in one night to determine the ultimate winner.
GLORY CEO Marshall Zelaznik expressed excitement about the tournament's scale and impact, saying,
“It’s the biggest heavyweight tournament in the history of combat sports.” Zelaznik added that while several participants have already been confirmed.
The remaining spots are open to heavyweights across MMA, boxing, and other combat sports who are eager to test their mettle.
“If you’d like to enter and prove yourself against the absolute best strikers in the world, this tournament is for you,” Zelaznik said.
The tournament offers a massive prize pool exceeding $1 million, with significant rewards distributed throughout and to the eventual champion. Fighters already confirmed for the competition include elite strikers such as Bahram Rajabzadeh (70-4), Uku Jurjendal (20-9), Rade Opacic (21-6), Ahmed Krnjic (13-4), Sofian Laidouni (37-4-1), Murat The Butcher Aygun (32-4), Tariq Osaro (26-4-1), and Ionut Iancu (30-10).
With the tournament's unprecedented format and open invitation, fans can expect a year of thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments. GLORY’s bold vision for Last Heavyweight Standing aims to set a new benchmark in combat sports history, drawing athletes and audiences from around the globe.