Moroccan light heavyweight kickboxer Tarik Khbabez won on Saturday in Arnhem, Netherlands, during the Glory Grand Prix.
Khbabez defeated Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer Donegi Abena in a Light Heavyweight title fight. The fight lasted for five rounds, with Khbabez winning on a split decision, according to Dutch media reports.
Donegi Abena and Tarik Khbabez are throwing down! #GLORYGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/tV0hXCaBA3
— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) March 9, 2024
During the same competition, 23-year-old Moroccan-Dutch heavyweight kickboxer Nabil Khachab won against 39-year-old Benjamin Adegbuyi.
? Nabil Khachab a fait trop de dégât à Adegbuyi.
— SPORTS ZONE (@SportsZone__) March 9, 2024
Malgré ses 157 kg, son cardio est DINGUE ! ??#GLORYGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/HXlyVjXt1t
2023 was a meteoric rise for Nabil Khachab. In just thirteen months, the young Moroccan kickboxer transformed from a complete unknown to a competitor in the prestigious Glory Grand Prix, making his debut in the Glory league along the way.
.@RicoVerhoeven advances to the finals! #GLORYGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/tjYEIsmPOn
— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) March 9, 2024
While Khachab's journey in the Grand Prix ended with a loss to Rico Verhoeven, his performance throughout the year cemented his status as a rising star in the heavyweight division.
It is worth mentioning that the Glory Grand Prix is a kickboxing tournament organized by Glory, a leading international kickboxing organization. It's a single-night event where top contenders in a specific weight class fight a series of matches to determine the champion. This year's edition was won by Rico Verhoeven.