Kickboxing fans only got to watch for a shade over one round yesterday (Sat. December 10, 2016) but boy, did the historical main event between Rico Verhoeven and Badr Hari at GLORY: COLLISION deliver.
Verhoeven would win the bout by technical knockout, getting his hand raised after Hari suffered an injury to his arm in the second round. Hari, likely won the opening round 10-9 having landed more strikes and splitting open a cut on the bridge of Verhoeven's nose (which Verheoven said was a recent training wound). Yes, it was an anticlimactic finish and an unfortunate ending to what was an historic day for kickboxing, but the fight certainly lived up to the hype--which had been built up since it was first announced in July.
The fans inside Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany were in a dizzying frenzy when Hari walked out for the main event, with dozens of loyal supporters swarming the ring -- some even jumping up on the apron -- to get a closer look or snap a pic of their favorite fighter. Order was finally restored. One of the biggest heavyweight bouts in the history of the promotion commenced, and for a little more than four minutes the day belonged to kickboxing and to GLORY, who hit the zenith point of the promotion's history by staging this massive event.
When the fight reached its conclusion, the fans (most for Hari) were all on their feet -- where they had been the whole time -- still processing what had happened and waiting to hear from their injured hero. The bad blood and tension had ceased, sportsmanship was displayed on both sides and hugs, handshakes and compliments were all exchanged. A rematch was agreed upon by both Verhoeven and Hari, who opened up Ron Kruck once things finally settled down.
"First of all, I want to say I am very disappointed in the outcome of this fight. You know ... My fans, I love you. You supported me through all of this shit. I had a lot of shit in my life. When everybody was like, 'oh, Badr, you are finished.' I had problems with justice. I had problems with a lot of things, but they always keep supporting me. The Moroccans in the house, you are like lions, yeah. But not only the Moroccan fans. I don't want to disappoint all my other fans from The Netherlands, my fans from Germany, England, France ... You do a great job."
But what about his thoughts on the GLORY heavyweight champion?
"What do I have to say about Rico?" Hari began. "The little guy became big and I think he is a true good contender to every heavyweight in the world. I think--still--he is one of the beset. He's not the best yet, but he is a really dangerous guy. He's strong. His physics are great. I really felt like I stand with a man in the ring, not a boy. So, he did a good job. So everyone saying he is a boy, he's not."
On his arm injury, which appeared to be located near his elbow, and forced him to stop fighting in the second round, Hari said, "Sometimes you have to put your health in first place. That's what happened today. it's a dangerous sport people. Let me see how I get well first. I will get well soon. I will hit the gym and I will knock this guy out next year."
As the ring began to clear out, Hari, who at this point had the crowd ready to eat out of his hand, called out Rico one last time.
"Rico, don't walk out on me. Come back," Hari said. Verhoeven stopped in his tracks, turned around and walked back over to the controversial kickboxing icon to hear him out. "You know you did a good job, but I swear today ... I swear. I gave you your credits," Hari said, now looking into Verhoeven's eyes, the two just feet from one another.
"But now I don't give a fuck. Next year, I swear, I will knock you the fuck out."
For complete GLORY:COLLISION results, click here.