GLORY has confirmed the termination of its exclusive distribution agreement with Videoland for the Netherlands. This partnership was essential to the growth of both GLORY and kickboxing. CEO Marshall Zelaznik expressed his appreciation for Videoland, which supported the sport and GLORY for many years. GLORY will soon announce a new distribution partner.

However, the “Last Heavyweight Standing” tournament, which begins April 5 in Rotterdam Ahoy, has received much criticism. Of the top seven heavyweight fighters, four big names are not competing, including champion Rico Verhoeven. Verhoeven has other plans for 2025, including a title fight before the summer and a crossover event later this year. His manager stressed that the tournament, with multiple fights, does not fit well into Verhoeven's schedule.

Marshall Zelaznik indicated to Dutch broadcaster NOS in late February that GLORY already took Verhoeven's absence into account when setting up the tournament. The second phase of the tournament starts in August, so fighters like Verhoeven and Levi Rigters, who are unable to participate due to injury, can still compete.

Jamal Ben Saddik, who does participate, told NOS he was surprised by the absence of his competitors. He stressed that winning this tournament means more to him than a world title: “This is the very strongest competition there is.”