The GLORY ring returns to Croatia for the first time in more than a decade, and the elite kickboxing promotion is bringing a top-drawer heavyweight clash to top the card.
GLORY 95 will take place at Arena Zagreb on September 21, with a non-title battle between heavyweight contenders Levi Rigters and Antonio Plazibat booked as the main event.
A press release from the promotion officially confirmed the news, with the heavyweight division’s number 1 and 3-ranked contenders set to go head to head with a potential shot at reigning heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven on the line for later in the year.
Rigters has already come close to finishing Verhoeven inside the GLORY ring having faced him in the final of the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix earlier this year. His spinning backfist put the champion in trouble, but eventually Verhoeven ended the hight with his hand raised.
Despite ending up on the losing end of the final result, Rigters’ performance showed that he’s now a serious threat at the top of the GLORY heavyweight division, and he bounced back with victory over Nico Horta at GLORY 92.
Next up, he’ll face Plazibat, who returns to action on home soil after spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a broken arm.
“Levi is just a body in the way,” said a determined Plazibat.
“He will be knocked out and 15,000 crazy Croatians will cheer me on.
“Buy a ticket, buy the PPV, watch on Videoland, I don’t care. Just watch this fight, because you won’t want to miss it!”
Rigters is well aware that he’ll have an arena full of fans cheering for his demise, but he’s focused on claiming the win and silencing the Zagreb crowd.
“This is a fight between two of the heavyweight division’s best,” he said.
“I am looking forward to competing in beautiful Croatia but, unfortunately for the fans there, I will be the one with my hand raised in victory.
“This will be an unforgettable night in Zagreb. Do not miss it!”
