All fighters made weight at the first attempt during today’s official weigh-ins for the GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’ championship kickboxing event tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 3, at the historic PalaLottomatica arena, live on GloryWorldSeries.com.
Overseen by GLORY Managing Director Marcus Luer, the weigh-ins, also streamed live on GloryWorldSeries.com, took place in the regal surroundings of the Terrazza Caffarelli, a rooftop terrace on the Capitoline Hill which offers unrivaled views across the heart of historic Rome.
Top billing went to Giorgio Petrosyan (71-1-2 (1 NC), 33 KO's) of Italy. As the world’s No. 1 lightweight (70 kilograms/154 pounds), he is the top seed for the tournament and the favorite to win it. His opponent is Ky Hollenbeck (34-7, 21 KO's) of the USA. He has the toughest opening match of the tournament but also the biggest chance to make a mark for America on the world scene.
Robin Van Roosmalen (35-13-3, 10 KO’s) of the Netherlands may be the shortest fighter in the tournament but he is also the most explosive. He faces Tim ‘TNT’ Thomas (60-1-9, 35 KO’s) of England who, as his nickname suggests, is also not lacking in dynamite punching power. Their fight promises to be a war.
Davit Kiria (18-7, 10 KO’s) is from the former Soviet republic of Georgia and is something of a mystery man in the tournament. He is a karate stylist and trains under world No. 1 heavyweight Semmy Schilt in the Ashihara Karate discipline. His opponent Shemsi Beqiri (71-7, 31 KO’s) was born in war-torn Kosovo before moving to Switzerland and is a former training partner of Petrosyan’s.
Sanny Dahlbeck (24-4, 14 KO’s) of Sweden is the youngest fighter of the tournament, just 21 years old. It’s a huge chance for him to impress on the world stage. He was originally matched with Albert Kraus, but the accomplished Dutchman has been forced out with influenza. His replacement is the highly experienced and very dangerous Yoshihiro Sato (49-8-0, 20 KO’s) of Japan, nicknamed ‘Infinite Sniper’ for his long-range skills.
Those four matches form the quarter-finals of the one-night tournament. The winners will go on to the semi-finals, where two more fighters will be eliminated. The final two remaining will battle it out for a $300,000 grand prize.
There are two reserve matches on the card, designed to provide a replacement for any fighter who is forced to drop out at any stage because of injury or other reasons. The first sees the incredibly aggressive Russian-born Dzhabar Askerov (74-28-1, 38 KO’s) take on the seasoned Warren Stevelmans (56-16-4, 16 KO’s) of South Africa while the second showcases the French technical magician Fabio Pinca (86-18-4, 33 KO’s) and a young Italian who has a similar style, Alessandro Campagna (29-5-0, 14 KO’s).
The card is rounded out with two kickboxing superfights - English notable Jordan Watson (29-5-1, 14 KO’s) faces Morocco’s Mustapha Haida (18-1) while Alka Matewa (43-6-1, 23 KO’s), of the Democratic Republic of Congo via Belgium, faces the smooth Italian Marco Re (20-3, 13 KO’s) - and the evening commences with two MMA matches and a showcase of local rising talent.
The live stream of the GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’ event will begin on GloryWorldSeries.com at 20:30 CET/3:30 p.m. EST/12:30 p.m. PST with the event’s first preliminary bout. The HD stream is priced at $15.00 US / €11.60 - head to GloryWorldSeries.com for more details.
In the United States, Cablevision subscribers can watch live on FIGHT NOW TV, channel 464 as part of their iO Sports & Entertainment Pak. Other cable subscribers and satellite customers will be able to see the event live on pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $19.95
OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS:
FINAL 8 Quarter-Finalists:
Giorgio Petrosyan - 70 kilos / 154.3lbs vs. Ky Hollenbeck - 70 kilos / 154.3lbs
Robin Van Roosmalen - 70 kilos / 154.3lbs vs. Tim Thomas - 68.1 kilos / 150.1lbs
Yoshihiro Sato - 69.8 kilos / 153.9lbs vs. Sanny Dahlbeck - 69.8 kilos / 153.9lbs
Shemsi Beqiri - 70 kilos / 154.3lbs vs. Davit Kiria - 69.4 kilos / 153lbs
Tournament Reserve Fights:
Dzhabar Askerov - 69.9 kilos / 154lbs vs. Warren Stevelmans - Will weight in late by prior arrangement
Fabio Pinca - 69.8 kilos / 153.9lbs vs. Alessandro Campagna - 70 kilos / 154.3lbs
Superfights:
Lightweight match (70 kilos)
Jordan Watson - 70.1 kilos / 155.5lbs vs. Mustapha Haida - 70.3 kilos / 155lbs
Catchweight match (73 kilos)
Alka Matewa - 73 kilos / 160.9lbs vs. Marco re - 71.6 / 157.9lbs
Undercard
MMA Rules - Lightweight (70 kilos):
David Dolce (69.4 kilos / 154 lbs) vs. Cesario di Domenico (70 kilos / 154.3lbs)
Glory Kickboxing Rules:
Lightweight (70 kilos)
Ivan Musardo - 70.5 kilos / 155.4lbs vs. Giorgio Belsanti (66 kilos / 145.5 lbs)
Riccardo Lecca - 72.8 kilos vs. Giuseppe D’Amuri 72.5
Emmanuelle Raini (69.5) vs. Julian Imeri (69.5)
Photo Credit: Ben Pontier/GLORY
Ky Hollenbeck (left) sported a patriotic look today as the sole U.S. representative in the GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’ championship kickboxing tournament. Hollenbeck, a super aggressive striker, will face the toughest test of his career when he squares off with world No. 1 ranked 70 kilogram (154 pound) superstar Giorgio Petrosyan (right) in the quarterfinal round of the one-night tournament at the historic PalaLottomatica arena tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 3, live on GloryWorldSeries.com, beginning at 20:30 CEST/3:30 p.m. EST/12:30 p.m. PST.
Japanese standout Yoshihiro Sato (left) caught a lucky break yesterday after he was called up from tournament reserve fight status to the main draw of the eight-man elimination event that will award it’s winner a grand prize of $300,000. Sato replaces Albert Kraus, who came down with a case of influenza, against 21-year-old fast-rising star Sanny Dahlbeck (right) in the quarterfinal round of the tournament.
The speed of Robin Van Roosmalen (left) will be key to the Netherlands fighter’s success against U.K. KO artist Tim Thomas (right) when the two fighters meet in the first leg of tomorrow’s tournament.
Hard-hitting Shemsi Beqiri (left) squares off with GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’ quarterfinal round tournament opponent Davit Kiria (right) who, once again, displayed no emotion before those on hand for today’s weigh-in and final press conference.
The prestigious GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’ tournament championship belt was on display at the final press conference.
GLORY Managing Director Marcus Luer holds up the $300,000 check that will be awarded to the winner of tomorrow’s eight-man single elimination tournament.
Rising star Marco Re (left) of Italy faces off with GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’ Superfight opponent, Alka Matewa (right) of Belgium. The two forces will collide at 72.5 kilograms (160 pounds).
Another emerging Italian star Mustapha Haida (left) will see action in a 70 kilogram (154 pound) Superfight tomorrow against English powerhouse Jordan Watson (right).
