Moroccan kickboxing Tarik Khbabez has once again ascended to the top of the Glory Light-Heavyweight division, seizing the vacant title with a gutsy performance against Azerbaijan’s Bahram Rajabzadeh at Glory 104 in Rotterdam.
The bout began dramatically, with Rajabzadeh landing a thunderous strike that floored Khbabez in the opening round. It looked as though the Azeri might run away with it, but Khbabez, known as “The Tank”, rallied immediately. From the second round onwards, he imposed his relentless pressure, landing precise, heavy blows that gradually wore down his opponent. By the third, the momentum had swung decisively in his favour, and the judges awarded him a deserved victory.
“I always seem to need a wake-up call in the first round,” Khbabez admitted after the fight. “My opponent took advantage early, but after that shot, I found my focus again.”
The victory also marked the end of an era for Rajabzadeh, who announced his retirement from Glory competition following the defeat.
For Khbabez, the triumph is particularly sweet. He had previously lost the title to Lithuanian Sergej Maslobojev, who was later embroiled in a doping scandal. Yet Khbabez was adamant in his self-reflection: “Whether he was doping or not, I didn’t feel like a champion after that loss. I underestimated that fight.”
The 33-year-old Moroccan-Dutch fighter has long been a force in the kickboxing world, winning multiple heavyweight tournaments with SUPERKOMBAT before stints in ONE Championship and Glory. Known for his relentless forward pressure, knockout power, and high-volume striking, Khbabez has battled through injuries and tough opposition to cement his reputation as one of the division’s fiercest competitors.
