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Moroccan kickboxer Mohamed Touchassie captured the Glory Light Heavyweight Grand Prix title on Saturday, becoming the new world champion after a grueling night that ultimately sent him to hospital.
The 24-year-old fighter overcame three opponents in a single evening in Rotterdam to claim the vacant title. Touchassie began his campaign with an upset win over Azerbaijani favorite Bahram Rajabzadeh in the quarter-finals. Despite suffering a deep cut above his left eye in the second round, the Moroccan scored a knockdown in the third to secure victory.
He then defeated Cem Caceres in the semi-finals, although the toll of the tournament was increasingly visible as injuries accumulated on his face.
In the final, Touchassie faced former middleweight world champion Donovan Wisse. After a closely contested bout, the judges awarded a split decision in favor of the Moroccan, crowning him the new Glory light heavyweight champion.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. During post-fight interviews, Touchassie was unable to continue speaking and required medical attention. He was treated in an ambulance outside Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena before being taken to hospital.
According to his team, the fighter needed stitches for the cut above his eye and underwent a head scan. He was discharged the following day.
«Everything is okay. He has been discharged from the hospital, battered, but that's what tournaments are like», his trainer Saïd el Badaoui said.
Touchassie's title win comes after former champion Tarik Khbabez vacated the belt, paving the way for the Grand Prix winner to be crowned world champion.
