After enjoying Collision 7 and the K-1 Grand Prix earlier this month, the kickboxing year comes to a close with a Grand Prix of stature. Metaphorically speaking, because the featherweights who take to the ring Saturday, Dec. 21, in Japan are physically a lot smaller than the likes of Semmy Schilt and Remy Bonjasky that we've been treated to in the past. But that shouldn't spoil the fun for the true fan. In recent years at Glory, we have seen that with fighters like Berjan Peposhi, Miguel Trindade and Jan Kaffa, the division brings one and all spectacle. Also, the collaboration with Rise under the banner "Rivals" has already produced some great matches. In the various crossover matches that have taken place over the past year, it has been proven that anyone can win from anyone in this division. So that promises a lot of spectacle.

Quarterfinal 1: Taiju Shiratori vs. Petch

Petch seems untouchable within Glory in the featherweight division, but last year's Chadd Collins showed that Petch, too, is human. Taiju will have looked closely at the Aussie's blueprint to prepare. The 28-year-old Japanese brings an impressive resumé to the ring, winning by KO over Zakaria Zouggary and also previously winning over Ilias Banniss and ONE fighter Saeksan. Petch, on the other hand, has never lost to a Japanese, champion Kento's last attempt looked more like a sparring match for him and partly for that reason the Thai currently living in Canada is one of the top favorites to take the grand prix to his name. 

Quarterfinal 2: Lee Sung-Hyun vs. Berjan Peposhi

Berjan Peposhi needs little more introduction. The young Albanian has made himself a crowd favorite with his offensive fighting style, and with impressive wins over Miguel Trindade and Chikh Mousa, meanwhile, the results are there too. Peposhi thus looks like a dangerous outsider to take the Grand Prix to his name. His opponent Lee Sung-Hyun will be less familiar to many. At 33 years old, the Korean is a true veteran. Sung-Hyun greatest successes come from the period between 2012 and 2015 in which, among other things, he reached the finals of the K-1 MAX and scored victories over such renowned names as Hiroaki Suzuki, Meng Guodong and Andrei Kulebin. But even in more recent times, he has shown he can still do it. In March this year, he won over fellow contender Taiju Shiratori.

Quarterfinal 3: Chadd Collins vs. Abraham Vidales

“The Shark” Chadd Collins surprised friend and foe last year when he outlasted Petch over three rounds. A victory that immediately launched him to the absolute top of the division. Not surprisingly, Collins is one of the favorites for the overall victory. However, his run of 11 wins came to an abrupt end when, in March of this year, Glory fighter Miguel Trindade completely overwhelmed him with 3 knockdowns in the first round. Collins recovered with 2 KO wins, but will be eager to rectify this match should he face the Portuguese in the semifinals. However, he will first have to get past Abraham Vidales, who himself has a score to settle with both fighters from quarterfinal 4. Last year at Collision 6, the Mexican dentist experienced the highlight of his career when he mercilessly knocked out Chikh Mousa in the first round. He could not enjoy that for long as he went down equally mercilessly against Kaito Haraguchi. At Glory 93, he returned to the ring against Trindade. He lost this one too, this time by decision.

Quarterfinal 4: Kento Haraguchi vs. Miguel Trindade

Kento Haraguchi, aka Kento, did himself no favors with the Dutch audience at Glory 93. The Japanese star was given a chance for the third time against Petch, but could do nothing against the dominant Thai. Maybe it had to do with it being his first match outside Japan? After all, the karateka has a huge record in Japan. The current ISKA and RISE 65kg champion has had victories over Tajiu Shiratori, Serghi Adamchuk, Anvar Boynazarov and thus Abraham Vidales in recent years. He also managed to negotiate an extra round in his second match against Petch. So it is certainly inadvisable to write him off beforehand. What is certain is that he will have to work hard, as one of the favorites awaits him in the first round. After a spectacular KO in his debut at ONE, the Portuguese, together with girlfriend Debora Evora, made the remarkable move to Glory. Where, after another spectacular match, he lost against Peposhi at Glory 90. This year, he showed that he didn't come there to compete, but to win. Rise star Collins was knocked to the canvas three times in Round 1 and he won a judges' decision from Vidales. 

J-kick stars in action

That the Japanese event will be broadcast on Videoland will also be an introduction to modern kickboxing in Japan, or J-kick, for many viewers. In the Netherlands, we often think that the Japanese organizations, since the fall of the old K-1 no longer compete at the top of kickboxing. But nothing could be further from the truth! The focus these days is only on the lower weights, where Japanese fighters generally come into their own better and dominate the weight classes. One of those top Japanese fighters who will be featured on Rise x Glory is Kazuki Osaki. The 28-year-old phenom is ranked among the top 10 pound-for-pound best fighters in the world by websites such as Beyond Kickboxing and Combat Press. At 53kg, you wouldn't expect many KOs, but thanks to the tremendous pressure he manages to put on his opponents, Osaki managed to win half of his 44 wins by knockout. In that same 53kg division, the newly 18-year-old Ryujin Nasukawa fights the Thai Petmai, who comes out for current ONE champion Superlek's gym. Nasukawa is the younger brother of superstar Tenshin Nasukawa, who dedicated himself to boxing after his kickboxing career. The Co-main event will be a bout between Takumi Sanekata and Meison Hide Usami. Hearing Meison's name might ring a bell for those in the know, two years ago the then 21-year-old Canadian Japanese fought Dutch legend Albert Krauss.

Unlike most Glory events, there will be few Dutchmen in the ring this Sunday. However, with Jan Kaffa the Dutch still have a representative. He fights in the reserve match against Yutaro Asahi. Asahi made his debut for ONE earlier this year and he did not do so unpleasantly. The 25-year-old Japanese won by decision against Saeksan, ending the Thai veteran's attempt to hold the ONE record for most wins in a row after eight victories.