The performance of Jamal Ben Saddik at GLORY 100 on Saturday turned into an anticlimax. Against the Frenchman Sofian Laidouni, he was already injured in the first round on his right shin.
Ben Saddik injured his right lower leg in Ahoy after only a few minutes, and a large cut was visible on his shin. He sustained the injury with a kick towards Laidouni. A doctor appeared in the ring, but it was quickly concluded that Ben Saddik could not continue fighting.
“All the fans who were here, thank you for coming to support me here. And also thanks to all the fans around the world. I hope you will be there again next time,” said Ben Saddik, as he fought back tears.
The 34-year-old Ben Saddik participated in the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament, a tournament in which sixteen fighters were still participating. The tournament started with 32 participants.
Expectations were high
Expectations surrounding Ben Saddik were high. The Belgian Moroccan was out of circulation for a long time, partly due to a doping suspension. Since that suspension, he has fought twice. Thousands of fans had come to Rotterdam from Belgium.
On Friday, Ben Saddik was still confident about his appearance(s) in the Last Heavyweight Standing at a press moment. “I focus on my own tournament. The real warriors participate in that. I want to face the biggest fighters and my tournament is the highest achievable. As a fighter, there is no bigger prize to win,” said the Belgian Moroccan.
Ben Saddik was twice the opponent of Rico Verhoeven in a fight for the world title in the heavyweight division. Verhoeven won both times.
GLORY 100 will conclude Saturday evening with the fight between Verhoeven and the Russian Artem Vakhitov. They are expected to enter the ring around 11:00 PM.