GLORY 80 Studio will see the much-awaited rematch between GLORY lightweight champion Tyjani Beztati and the 1# ranked Josh Jauncey in their championship bout. This raised stakes rematch will be preluded by a battle between heavyweight titans, in another highly anticipated rematch between Croatian powerhouse Antonio Plazibat and Moroccan veteran Tarik ‘The Tank’ Khbabez. The war for heavyweight glory will be contested twice at GLORY 80 Studio, with the double debut showdown between Nigeria’s Tariq Osaro vs Britain’s Rhys ‘Bruza’ Brudenell. These highly exciting bouts will take place on the 14th of May in the great kickboxing nation of The Netherlands. It’s time for GLORY!
GLORY 80 Studio Headliner: Beztati vs Jauncey
At GLORY 65: Utrecht lightweight contenders Tyjani Beztati and Josh Jauncey came to blows in a contest for lightweight supremacy. Beztati was able to earn the unanimous decision victory over his stylish Canadian counterpart in the GLORY ring. The then ranked #2 Beztati was able to utilize his rangy build to maintain distance, framing off his Canadian opponent and landing heavy boxing combinations, with his guard-splitting knees. To counter Jauncey’s damaging leg kicks, the Moroccan-Dutch fighter sniped at the head of his tenacious foe. The fight was a technical battle, with Jauncey using pressure, leg kicks, and some well-placed body shots to steal the last moments of round 2 and the whole third round.
Since their first encounter, Tyjani ‘The Wonderboy’ Beztati dropped a decision loss of his own in his title fight against former GLORY lightweight champion, Marat Grigorian. His loss to the current ONE Championship featherweight contender only spurred the young Beztati on to achieve greatness; capturing the vacant lightweight title at GLORY 78. Eager to defend his title, a ferocious performance should be expected from the 24-year-old champion.
With the stakes for their rematch higher than before, Josh Jauncey will look to capture GLORY gold at GLORY 80 Studio. The Canadian wild-man had a lot of success in their first bout, a huge confidence booster going into the rematch. Since his first fight with the current champ, Jauncey has gone on a two-fight win streak in the promotion. ‘The Nightcrawler’ has risen to #1 ahead of his title fight.
Will the GLORY veteran Josh Jauncey add to his late fight success in this five-round war, or will Beztati make a statement to cement his championship legacy?
Glory 80 Studio C0-Headliner: Plazibat vs Khbabez
Another rematch will take place at GLORY 80 Studio, as Croatian crusher Antonio Plazibat takes on ‘The Tank, Tarik Khbabez. In their first clash, the stocky Moroccan steamroller put his nickname to work, as he bullied his larger opponent around the ring. ‘The Tank’ was quick to target the exposed body of his taller foe, as Plazibat calmly did his best to defend. Countering up top in answer to his opponent’s body shots, Plazibat began to score big. ‘The Tank’ was sent to the canvas as the bell rang for the end of round 1. Winning round 1, Khbabez’s disregard for Plazibat’s power cost him, as the towering Croatian landed a big right hand over the top of his opponent’s punch. Plazibat smelt blood in the water, capitalizing on his staggered opponent with a powerful onslaught, finally dropping his durable foe with a long left hook, straight-right combo.
This decisive finish at GLORY 78 in round 2 was the last fight in Tarik Khbabez’s short GLORY career. ‘The Tank’ ranked #8 must avenge his most recent loss to number #1 ranked Plazibat to halt the Croatian’s climb to the top, in his bid to face ‘The King of Kickboxing’ Rico Verhoeven. Another win at the top end of GLORY’s heavyweight division will have serious title implications for Antonio Plazibat, so failure is not an option.
Can Khbabez right the wrongs of his last fight, or does Plazibat have his number? All will be answered at GLORY 80 Studio.
GLORY 80 Studio’s Debutant Showdown
Hailing from Nigeria, Tariq Osaro looks to impress at GLORY 80 Studio against fellow debutant, Rhys Brudenell. Osaro and Brudenell have beautiful records (19-1-0 & 15-1-0, respectively), with Brudenell holding a staggeringly high KO record of 12 knockouts in his 15-wins. Osaro’s technically savvy style will be an interesting match-up for Britain’s own Rhys ‘Bruza’ Brudenell, who will look to earn another KO finish in his GLORY debut.
Rhys Brudenell’s sharp boxing and gut-busting body shots will be major weapons against Tariq Osaro, who will likely try and pick apart the Brit by finding openings with his calmer, slower-paced style. This event will be the perfect platform for both strikers to showcase their skills within the elite kickboxing promotion.
