GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix: Jamal Ben Saddik Suspension

Kickboxing Veteran Jamal Ben Saddik Faces 6-Month Suspension for Incident at GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix

In a recent decision by the GLORY Kickboxing promotion, veteran heavyweight Jamal Ben Saddik has been handed a 6-month suspension for his actions during the semi-final match of the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix earlier this year.

The incident occurred on March 9th, following the bout between Rico Verhoeven and Nabil Khachab. After the match, the two heavyweights exchanged words, leading to a chaotic scene as the corner men of both fighters became involved. Jamal Ben Saddik, who was present as a cornerman for his teammate Khachab, made a kicking movement towards Rico Verhoeven.

“GLORY has concluded its investigation of the in-ring incident following the semi-final match during the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix on 9 March 2024. As a result, GLORY has imposed a 6-month suspension on Jamal Ben Saddik for his actions which ran the risk of inciting violence and could have caused harm to participants, fans, and officials.”

The decision to suspend Ben Saddik is not only in line with GLORY’s code of conduct but also adheres to the Vechtsport Autoriteit (VA) Disciplinary Rules, which govern Dutch athletes and gyms. The VA requires promoters to impose these rules and penalize any violations, which are then enforced across the Netherlands, meaning Ben Saddik will not be able to attend any events in the country during his suspension.

GLORY CEO Explains the Decision

GLORY CEO Marshall Zelaznik further elaborated:

“In working with the VA and in keeping the precedent set by them, it was clear that our shared goal is to always represent the sport in the best light possible. The decision we made is in line with this objective. At GLORY, we will also review our procedures and processes to be sure we protect the sport of kickboxing, the amazing athletes that compete and our fans.”

The incident and subsequent suspension of Jamal Ben Saddik serve as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and professionalism within the kickboxing community. As the sport continues to grow, promoters and governing bodies must take decisive actions to maintain the integrity of the sport and ensure the safety of all involved.

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