Glory Kickboxing heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven has a chance to join an elite club in the young kickboxing promotion. With a win over Benjamin Adegbuyi, he will be the only champion on the roster to have defended his belt twice.
The 26-year-old last defended his title against Errol Zimmerman at Glory 19 via second-round TKO due to a leg injury for the challenger. But Adegbuyi represents a new challenge bringing in a nine-fight win streak to the bout, including three wins under the Glory banner.
The heavyweight division isn't the only one with a monumental fight, though. The lightweight landscape is set to shift as well. A new No. 1 contender in the division will emerge from the four-man tournament set to go down at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France.
Here's the viewing information, televised card and predictions for the event, along with a look at the top storylines surrounding the action:
Glory 22 Televised Fight Card - June 5 at 4 p.m. ET on Spike TV
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Who Will Emerge as the New Lightweight Contender?
Lightweight titleholder Robin van Roosmalen should be watching the event intently. The winner of a four-man tourney will become the No. 1 contender to his thrown, and the organization has put together an interesting mix of challengers for the 25-year-old champ.
In the first bout, Canadian Josh Jauncey will put his 3-0 Glory record on the line against Glory newcomer Crice Boussoukou. Boussoukou was a last-minute injury replacement for Niclas Larsen, as the Danish kickboxer was forced out of the tournament due to a foot injury, per Glory's website.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RsIP-b1M9PA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>
Definitely looking forward to seeing Verhoeven and Jauncey fight
The 26-year-old last defended his title against Errol Zimmerman at Glory 19 via second-round TKO due to a leg injury for the challenger. But Adegbuyi represents a new challenge bringing in a nine-fight win streak to the bout, including three wins under the Glory banner.
The heavyweight division isn't the only one with a monumental fight, though. The lightweight landscape is set to shift as well. A new No. 1 contender in the division will emerge from the four-man tournament set to go down at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France.
Here's the viewing information, televised card and predictions for the event, along with a look at the top storylines surrounding the action:
Glory 22 Televised Fight Card - June 5 at 4 p.m. ET on Spike TV
Matchup | Weight Class | Prediction |
Rico Verhoeven (c) vs. Benjamin Adegbuyi | Heavyweight (Championship bout) | Verhoeven via decision |
Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong vs. Josh Jauncey | Lightweight (Tournament Final) | Jauncey via decision |
Zack Mwekassa vs. Carlos Brooks | Light Heavyweight | Mwekassa via TKO |
Davit Kiria vs. Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong | Lightweight (Tournament Semifinal) | Sitsongpeenong via decision |
Josh Jauncey vs. Crice Boussoukou | Lightweight (Tournament Semifinal) | Jauncey via TKO |
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Who Will Emerge as the New Lightweight Contender?
Lightweight titleholder Robin van Roosmalen should be watching the event intently. The winner of a four-man tourney will become the No. 1 contender to his thrown, and the organization has put together an interesting mix of challengers for the 25-year-old champ.
In the first bout, Canadian Josh Jauncey will put his 3-0 Glory record on the line against Glory newcomer Crice Boussoukou. Boussoukou was a last-minute injury replacement for Niclas Larsen, as the Danish kickboxer was forced out of the tournament due to a foot injury, per Glory's website.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RsIP-b1M9PA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>
Definitely looking forward to seeing Verhoeven and Jauncey fight