GLORY Kickboxing to host 32-man heavyweight tournament with 'open invitation'

GLORY Kickboxing will put on its biggest tournament yet in 2025 – and that’s no exaggeration.

On Monday, the promotion announced plans for a 32-man single elimination heavyweight tournament that will determine the “Last Heavyweight Standing.”

A handful of participants have already been confirmed, but GLORY CEO Marshall Zelaznik wants to fill the rest of the field by presenting an open invitation to athletes from across all combat sports whom are eager to test their limits and join the tournament.

“It’s the biggest heavyweight tournament in the history of combat sports,” Zelaznik told MMA Junkie. “The field is almost now full and we’ll be announcing more participants over the coming days, however, there’s an open invitation to all MMA, boxing and combat sports heavyweights. If you’d like to enter and prove yourself against the absolute best strikers in the world, this tournament is for you. For fans, this will present an unforgettable year that will go down in the history books of combat sports.”

The tournament begins April 5 at GLORY 99 at the Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands, and will unfold over the course of five events. All 16 opening-round matchups will take place at GLORY 99, and will wind down to the final event showcase, where the final eight will fight three times in one night to determine a winner.

According to Zelaznik, more than $1 million i prize money will be distributed throughout and to the winner of the tournament of the elaborate tournament.

Athletes confirmed for participation in the “Last Heavyweight Standing” tournament include Bahram Rajabzadeh (70-4), Uku Jurjendal (20-9), Rade Opacic (21-6) Ahmed Krnjic (13-4), Sofian Laidouni (37-4-1), Murat ‘The Butcher Aygun (32-4), Tariq Osaro (26-4-1) and Ionut Iancu (30-10).