On Saturday, Aug. 31, the Lotto Arena in Antwerp is going to be the setting for GLORY's return to Belgium. Since the riots during GLORY 80 in Hasselt, the organization has not been back on Belgian soil. Matchmaker Robbie Timmers had to work hard because of the many last-minute changes in the fightcard. But those changes also provide room for new talent. In this article, Warrior Code introduces the fighters making their debut on the main card this Saturday so you know what you're looking at when you turn on the TV or enter the venue on Aug. 31.

Ayoub Bourass (14-1-0, 4 KO)

Originally, a rematch between Berjan Peposhi and Jan Kaffa was scheduled. However, Kaffa's illness threw a spanner in the works. But as the saying goes “One man's death is another man's bread.” Super Bantamweight champion of Enfusion, Ayoub Bourass, jumped into the hole left by the The Hague native. For the only 20-year-old Bourass, the move to GLORY also means a step up to another division, from 63.5 kg to 65 kg. Whether that will be a problem will become clear, but his technique will not likely be the issue. The young Moroccan is bursting with talent. Spin kicks and spinning backfists, everything passes by in Bourass' matches. It hardly seems to cost any effort for the born entertainer. The question is whether he can show this in Glory? Or will he have to adopt a slightly more business like fighting style to put his name on the map in the featherweight division.

Angelo Volpe (38-5-0, 12 KO)

Loyal Enfusion viewers will know Angelo Volpe from his three bouts against Youssef el Haji. Fighting behind a high guard and bouncing on the ball of his feet, the Italian is no mega-talent. The 25-year-old lightweight has to rely mainly on his strong fighter's heart but that has already brought him quite some success. For example, the surprising win over El Hadj that qualified him for the 8TKO lightweight grand prix. It looks like Volpe will be a one-time opponent for Belgian star Boughanem and we shouldn't expect much else from him within the organization. But combat sports wouldn't be combat sports if it wasn't so unpredictable and crazier things have happened at Glory.

Jente Nnamadim (21-5-0, 11 KO)

Nnamadim previously came close to a move to GLORY. The 28-year-old Belgian was scouted for Glory's reality show “House of Glory”. Unfortunately for Nnamadim, he was not selected by team Rico or Badr. But perhaps that was a stroke of luck. The “Black Diamond” decided to move up in weight, from welterweight to middleweight, and that certainly didn't hurt him. On his debut, he defeated former Glory fighter Kevin van Heeckeren and immediately won the vacant Enfusion middleweight title. His first title defense against Thian de Vries ended in a no-contest after Jente was hit by an elbow from De Vries. The Belgian relies on his boxing and has dangerous knees for when his opponent gets too close. But against De Vries, he also showed he is open to counter. Something he can't afford against his upcoming opponent, who isn't nicknamed “sleeping pills” for nothing.

Younes Smaili (40-3-0, 19 KO)

Younes Smaili was announced by Glory as a big signing. For the welterweight division, that is. The lightweight 8TKO Grand Prix winner recently made the move from his trusted Oude Westen Gym to Mike Polanen's ARJ Training. And with that, he seems to have accelerated his career. As said before, the contract with Glory also marks a move to welterweight, as the lightweight division in Glory is still on hold. A move that raises question marks among many fans. Is Smaili tall enough for the division? Can he maintain his KO power against tougher opponents? These are questions that probably aren't going to be answered yet Saturday. His opponent, James Condé, also normally fights at 70kg. At 27 years of age, many people expected Smaili to have already fought on the highest stages. But despite his talent only now the opportunity arrived for Smaili, coach Mike Polaenen summed it up for him: “It's now or never, the last train is passing and it's up to you if you jump on it".