In the run -up to the kickboxing fight between Jamal Ben Saddik and Levi Rigters on Saturday evening, it is mainly about the Staredown got out of hand. Almost no word is said about the conviction of Ben Saddik prior to Glory 103 in Rotterdam Ahoy.
“Things Got Heated“, schrijft GLORY vrijdagmiddag na de uit de hand gelopen staredown bij een eigen video op sociale media. In plaats van een poging te doen het voorval tussen Ben Saddik en Rigters te verdoezelen, doet de organisatie er zelf aan mee de beelden zo breed mogelijk te verspreiden.
In a sense, the Glory comes out well that the Staredown, in which the two attacked each other, was the subject of conversation on Friday and not the recent conviction of Ben Saddik. The Belgian Moroccan was found guilty of forgery in June and the money laundering of 1.2 million euros. He was sentenced to forty months in prison, half of which were conditional.
Because Ben Saddik is not yet known whether he will actually have to go to prison – in 2026, he can still enter the ring this year. Despite the conviction, Glory offers him that possibility and even designated him for the main fight on Saturday evening.
“Glory takes these things seriously,” said a spokesperson for the kickboxing organization. “We respect the legal proceedings and will continue to follow this closely. But now that Ben Saddik’s punishment is being revised through the legal proceedings and we are waiting for the conditions of that sentence, we continue to be committed to being an organization that offers athletes the opportunity to move forward in their sports career.”
“Ben Saddik can still end up in the Netherlands under the Dutch martial arts authority and we look forward to getting into the ring again on Saturday.”
Rigters and Ben Saddik tackle each other at heated Staredown Glory
Ben Saddik did not accept the conviction one day before the fight, but his manager did. “He can continue to fight all 2025. From next year it will become more clear about what the punishment looks like. In Belgium, the legal system works differently. Instead of a prison sentence, it could also be that he must be at home in the evening, so that his career is not hindered too much,” his manager said.
“We hope he can continue to fight, but unfortunately we can’t say anything about that. We focus primarily on the now and next year is next year. We will see what the future brings, but we will see it positively.”
The 34-year-old Ben Saddik will take on Saturday night in Ahoy against the four-year-old rigters, against whom he never fought before. The two would meet each other in 2022 in Hasselt, Belgium, but that clash was canceled at the time due to massive fights in the audience.
“We have been at the top for a long time, but have never fought against each other. We have actually been waiting for it for three years,” said Rigters. The Noord-Hollander does not do much that his upcoming opponent was convicted this summer.
“I am not at all concerned with that. I look at him as a fighter. I watch his competitions and focus on that. What he does private is not my business. It is not ideal for the image of the sport, but I really don’t worry about it.”
Main act of Glory 103
The fight between Ben Saddik and Rigters is the main act of Glory 103. The party is part of the so-called Last Heavyweight Standing tournament, in which 32 fighters compete for the title in 2025 in 2025.
“Saturday is the next step on the way to my dream: winning the tournament,” said Ben Saddik, who quickly dropped out during the previous evening due to a tibia injury. “I did not show what I can do, but I will make up for Saturday. I will show another Jamal and will put a lot of pain in the ring. These are the fights for which I was made and I go full for the knockout. I am willing to die in the ring.”
According to Ben Saddik, the Staredown got out of hand has only increased his motivation. “It brings extra fire with it. It was already a bit tense, but I think more people want to see the fight now. Maybe this was a desperate act of him, but he really tackled that wrong.”
“Of course we prefer that something physical takes place in the ring, but these kinds of things happen in kickboxing and all the martial arts,” said Robbie Timmers, at Glory responsible for matchmaking.
“With Levi and Jamal we have two of the best kickboxers in the world. Both have given everything to be here and this shows how much it means for them to win the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament. I am curious how it unfolds on Saturday.”
In the run-up to the kickboxing match between Jamal Ben Saddik and Levi Rigters on Saturday Evening, It is Mainly about-or-hand Staredown. There is Hardly A Word About Ben Saddik’s Conviction Prior to Glory 103 in Rotterdam Ahoy.
“Things Got Heated,” GLORY writes on Friday afternoon after the out-of-hand staredown with its own video on social media. Instead of trying to cover up the incident between Ben Saddik and Rigters, the organization itself participates in spreading the images as widely as possible.
In a sense, it suits glory well that the staredown, in which the two attacked each other, was the subject of discussion on Friday and not Ben Saddik’s recent conviction. The Belgian Moroccan was found guilty in June of Forgery and Laundering 1.2 Million Euros. He was sentenced to Forty Months in Prison, half or which was suspended.
Because Ben Saddik Will Serve His Sentence – It is not Yet Known WHETER He will actual have to go to prison – in 2026, he can still enter the ring this year. Despite the Conviction, Glory Offers Him That Opportunity and Has Even Appointed Him For The Main Fight On Saturday Evening.
“Glory Takes These Kinds of Matters Seriously,” Said a Spokesperson for the kickboxing organization. “We respect The Legal Procedure and Will Continue to Monitor It Closely. But Now that Ben Saddik’s Sentence Is Being Reviewed Through The Legal Procedure And We Are Awaiting the Conditions Of That Sentence, We Remain Committe to Being An Organization Athlet’s Careers” Offer’s Careers “
“Ben Saddik is a still Allowed to Compete in the Netherlands Under the Dutch Fighting Sports Authority and We Look Forward To Him Stepping Into The Ring Again on Saturday.”
Rigters and Ben Saddik Attack Each Other Duration Heated Staredown Glory
Ben Saddik did not comment on the conviction a day before the fight, but his manager Did. “He is allowed to continue fighting throughout 2025. From next year, more will become clear about what the sentence will look like. The legal system works differently in Belgium. Instead of a prison sentence, it could also be that he has to be home in the evening, so that his career is not hampered too Much, “Said His Manager.
“We hope that can continue to fight, but unfortunate we cannot anything about that yet. We mainly focus on the now and next year is next year. We will see what the future brings, but we look forward to it positively.”
The 34-Year-Old Ben Saddik Will Face the Four-Younger Rigters in Ahoy on Saturday Evening, Against Whom He has never Fought Before. The Two Were Already Scheduled to Meet in Hasselt, Belgium in 2022, But that Clash Did Not Go Ahead Due to Massive Fights in the Audience.
“We have leg at the top for a long time, but have never fought each other. We have actual leg waiting for it for three years,” Said Rigters. The North Hollander Cares Little That His Upcoming Opponent was Convicted This Summer.
“I’m not concerned with that at all. I look at him as a fighter. I look at his matches and focus on that. What he does privately is not my business. It is not iDeal for the image of the sport, but I really don’t care it.”
Main Act of Glory 103
The Fight Between Ben Saddik and Rigters is the Main Act of Glory 103. The Match is Part of the so-Called Last Heavyweight Standing Tournament, in which 32 Fighters Will Compete For The Title Over A Number of Evenings in 2025.
“Saturday is the next step on the way to my dream: winning the tournament,” Said Ben Saddik, who dropped out quickly killing the previous event due to a shin injury. “I didnn’t show what I can do, but I will make up for it on Saturday. I’m going to show a different jamal and I’m going to caus a lot of pain in the ring. These are the fights I was made for and i’m willing all out for the Knockout. I’m ringing ring.”
Accordance to Ben Saddik, the out-of-hand Staredown has only increased his motivation. “It Brings Extra Fire with It. It was already a bit tense, but I think even more people because to see the fight now. Maybe this was a desperate act from Him, but he really handled it wrong.”
“Whether Course We Prefer that Something Physical Only Takes Place In The Ring, But These Kinds of Things Happen in Kickboxing and All Martial Arts,” Said Robbie Timmers, Who is Responsible for Matchmaking at Glory.
“With Levi and Jamal we have two of the best kickboxers in the world. They have both given everything to be here and this shows how much it mean to them to win the last heavyweight standing tournament. I am curious to see how it unfolds.”