Glory World Series Buys Rival Kickboxing Promotion It's Showtime
Glory Sports International, the parent company of Netherlands-based kickboxing and mixed martial arts promotion Glory World Series, has acquired rival organization It's Showtime.
As a result of the deal, the fighter roster and assets of It's Showtime will now compete under the Glory World Series banner moving forward.
“By adding It’s Showtime, Glory has truly established itself as the No. 1 kickboxing league in the world. This is what the fans have been waiting for, and we are here to deliver it. Glory will soon announce a new series of events and a modernized tournament format for the rest of the year and for 2013,” said Marcus Luer, managing director of GSI. “The matchmaking possibilities will create some amazing fights and fans will truly see the best competing against the best across all weight classes. We are changing the landscape of this global sport.”
Previously known as Ultimate Glory and then United Glory, the promotion will henceforth be billed as Glory World Series, according to a promotion representative. In addition to featuring some of the world's best standup fighters since its inception over five years ago, the organization has also showcased some considerable MMA talent, including UFC veterans Ricco Rodriguez, Derrick Noble, David Bielkheden and Denis Stojnic, as well as current Octagon competitors John Alessio, Luis Ramos, Siyar Bahadurzada [pictured] and Alistair Overeem.
The promotion's most recent event took plays May 26 in Stockholm and featured two MMA bouts on the bill, as Swedish light heavyweight Ilir Latifi outpointed 38-year-old veteran Tony Lopez, while former M-1 talent Jason Jones submitted Austrian fighter Dritan Barjamaj in just 69 seconds.
