Glory 23 was held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV and aired on Spike TV. Tonight, Welterweight Champion Nieky Holzken defended his title against Challenger, Raymond Daniels. Also on the card in the co-main event had undefeated American Heavyweight Xavier Vigney weighing in 16 lbs lighter than his UK opponent Daniel Sam. All this was proceeded by the all US contender Middleweight Tournament. Here are the results as follow:
Round one of the first semi-final tournament in the Middleweight division. They touch touch gloves and are in the feeling out stages of the first round, landing shorts here and there, but now Jacoby, the kick from Colorado is opening up on the New Yorker having Sepulveda fighting backwards from pillar to post, rocking him once in the process. Sepulveda gets his bearings fights his way back now pressing Jacoby against the ropes. Jacoby lands a flying knee, driving Sepulveda into the corner, feeding him a left hook then a right hand on the way down earning the knock out as the referee waves it off.
Your winner by TKO at 2:59 of the very first round and advancing to the tournament finals, Dustin Jacoby!
Casey Greene leads in with a low kick then a punch combination to the head, but Quinton O’Brien will not be his punching back. Green feeds O’Brien a huge right hand and as he went for an inside leg kick, he accidentally split the uprights, forcing the referee to call time. O’Brien has regrouped but it it still looks to be Greene’s round as he feeds O’Brien a knee to the face a jab that drove him into the corner. a Cut has opened up over O’Brien’s left eye as the round comes to an end.
Round two and Greene is dominating the round, he feeds O’Brien a spin kick, but O’Brien answers with a stomp kick followed by a right cross. O’Brien is making a comeback here as he’s landing some heavy hands. Greene has O’Brien backed up on the ropes but he fights his way our with a strong lab. This one comes to and end as both men return to their corners.
Third and final round, the touch gloves and it is O’Brien who starts off with a spinning kick, he also check’s Greene’s attempt at one kicking his leg off. O’Brien heats a bit right hand, but keeps coming forward. Green lands a big left hook, but is answered with a knee. O’Brien is now leading with his feed as Greene misses a spinning head kick. O’Brien lands a head kick, but does little damage.
This one goes to the judges, your winner by unanimous decision and advancing to the finals of the Middleweight tournament finals, Casey Greene!
Sam, the Englishman begins with chopping at the legs of Vigney, but the American has driven him against the ropes. Sam lands a bit head kick, but it looks to have been called a slip. Vigney lands a huge right straight in the corner but Sam fires back only to eat a three-punch combo against the ropes. The American seems to be dominating with his hands, but the the Englishman is answering with his feet. Vigney is on the attack but he should worry about punching himself out so early in the fight. Sam has been fighting defensively the second half of the first round.
Round two is underway and this round starts off as a kicking match before Vigney starts throwing hands. The Bay Area fighter missing his spinning heel kick, but is now leading with his jab. Vigney is going low as Sam is still on the defensive.
Third and final round of the co-main event. It looks like Vigney is ahead on the cards, unless you look at the marks on his right side, Sam has been able to cause some serious damage. The American is leading with his jab as the Englishman covers up. Sam is chopping at Vigney’s lead leg but that’s not stopping his offense.
This one has gone to the judges and your winner by split-decision, Xavier Vigney!
The feeling out period is over as Greene starts swinging hard, driving Jacoby to the ropes, but Jacoby is far more fresh as his fight did not go all three round, but you never know that this level of competition. This round has been a fury of feet and fists as now Jacoby has Greene against the ropes, but fights out to the center of the ring. There is a cut on Greene’s forehead that could be problematic as this fight continues. Jacoby lands a bit knee, followed by a right hook, Greene is dropped but bounces onto his feet after landing on the bottom rope, receives a standing 8-count as the round comes to an end.
Round two and the crowd is excited. Jacoby lands a big kick to Greene’s ribs, but he absorbs the blow, forging on as they exchange jabs in the center of the ring. Jacoby has Greene rocked staggering into the corner and the referee waves this one off! Your tournament winner is Dustin Jacoby!
The official time is 1:19 of the second round and your winner by TKO and Glory Qualifying Tournament Winner, Dustin Jacoby!
It is time for the main event of the evening as Welterweight Champion Nieky Holzken defends his title against Orange, CA, the Number Three Contender, Raymond Daniels. To quote ring announcer Tim Hughes, “It’s Time for Glory!”
Daniels comes out with a spinning heel kick followed by a punch combination as he dances around the ring, but eats an inside leg kick. Daniels is an 8-time Black Belt Karate Champion and in this rematch with the Dutchman, he seems more focused. However, Holzken has Daniels fighting out of the corner and off the ropes most of the first round, which could effect the judging. Holzken is a patient fighter and doesn’t seem to be distracted by the Daniels’ flashy style. One has to question, can the challenge keep up this level of movement for possibly five rounds?
Round two of five and Daniels begins with a stomp kick as Holzken continues to close the distance. The Dutchman attempts a head kick, but the American blocks it. Holzken lands a big right hand but Daniels is the busier fighter even though Holzken is landing more clean blows. Daniels looks to be getting tired after the body shots that Holzken landed but he comes off the ropes landing several kicks of his own and scoring points off his punches as the round comes to an end.
Round three of five and again Holzken chases Daniels around the ring, but the challenger fights him off. For every one strike the the champion lands the American lands three. Holzken lands a liver kick and slows down the American, as cut overDaniels’ left eye opens up. Daniels can’t see out of his eye and the referee waves this one off!
Your winner and still Glory Welterweight Champion, at 1:36 of the third round by TKO, Nieky Holzken!
