Glory 78 ‘Hari vs. Wrzosek’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Mohamed Mezouari vs. Vedat Hoduk

Round 1

Kicking off the main card, Moroccan-Dutch Mohamed "Hamicha" Mezouari (38-4), ranked 8th in the world among welterweights by Combat Press, and the #1 contender in Glory, is challenged by Turkish Vedat Hoduk (48-5-1). Referee Michaela Kovacova will preside over this bout. Mezouari immediately backs up Hoduk into the ropes. Hoduk fires back with some nice hooks to the body, gaining some separation. Mezouari finds an opportunity to fire a blistering head kick, barely blocked, and scores with a nice jab as they clinch along the ropes. Mezouari scores again with a lovely jab at range and blocks the two-punch combination Hoduk throws back. Mezouari lands a nice body kick and Hoduk counters with a nice left hook to the body. Hoduk scores with a jab to the body and then both men miss deadly hooks upstairs. Mezouari comes forward and lands a hard body kick, clearly affecting Hoduk. They exchange, and Mezouari scores with a solid left hook. Hoduk is retreating, and Mezouari nails him with another body kick. Hoduk explodes out with a right hook to left hook, and the latter catches Mezouari, but not solidly enough. Mezouari lands another devastating body kick and then unloads with a series of punches, straights as well as hooks, with a particularly brutal left hook to the body downing Hoduk, who grimaces in pain. He is unable to get back up in time. What a crazy bout to start the card!

The Official Result

Mohamed Mezouari def. Vedat Hoduk via TKO (Body Punch) at 1:20 of Round 1

Nordine Mahieddine vs. Raul Catinas

Round 1

Coming up, we have heavyweights, as Glory veteran Nordine Mahieddine (26-10), ranked #6 in Glory, faces a newcomer to the organization in Romanian Raul Catinas. The third person in the ring is again referee Michaela Kovacova. Catinas begins with a nice leg kick, and Mahieddine fires back with a couple of fast head kicks, both blocked. Catinas lands another stinging legkick. Catinas backs his opponent against the ropes, and partially gets several powerful hooks through the gloves of Mahieddine. Mahieddine continues throwing head kicks, but Catinas crowds him well, making them largely ineffective. Catinas scores with a leg kick, dodges several Mahieddine punches, but gets hit with a leg kick. Catinas scores nicely with a body punch into a right cross to the head. Mahieddine throws some punches, and partially lands a left hook to the head, adding a leg kick for good measure. Catinas with another nice leg kick, and he is able to block Mahieddine's punches. Nice overhand right by Catinas, and he follows it up with solid body work. Catinas continues coming forward and having success on the inside. He lands several solid hooks to Mahieddine's body. Mahieddine gets some separation and fires straight punches, but they're all blocked. A 1-2 and head kick by Mahieddine is blocked, too. Catinas suddenly looks a little tired, though, and Mahieddine partially gets a head kick through. Mahieddine throws the 1-2, but it's blocked. With 24 seconds left, the referee calls a halt to the action, as Mahieddine has a horrible cut above his ankle where his kick was likely blocked. It's a major gash, but after being cleaned up, action resumes. Mahieddine fires a 1-2 that is blocked, but a left hook gets through. Catinas scores with a body punch. Mahieddine lands two back-to-back leg kicks to end the round. 10-9 Catinas.

Round 2

Catinas begins the round with heavy hooks, but they're blocked. Mahieddine, meanwhile, is starting to have some success with his head kicks. A 1-2 of his is blocked, but the leg kick he chains to it lands flush. Mahieddine gets a jab through off the ropes. A second jab lands, but Catinas partially counters with a couple of hooks. A big Catinas left hook misses, but he soon lands a nice right hand that pushes Mahieddine back. Mahieddine punishes Catina's right leg with a series of hard leg kicks that Catinas isn't bothering to defend. Catinas gets inside and lands a nice short left hook into an uppercut. Mahieddine goes back to his favorite combo, partially getting through a 1-2 and then a slapping leg kick, as he is suddenly looking tired himself. Mahieddine lands perhaps his best combination of the fight though, a jab into uppercut and body kick that causes Catinas to back off. Catinas scores with a nice right hook. They trade uppercuts to the body from short range. Mahieddine with a nice knee to the head, and Catinas responds with a nice body kick. Mahieddine with a nice body punch. Catinas gets him to the ropes and lands a couple of good hooks to the body. They trade leg kicks, but Mahieddine gets the better of it, with Catinas off-balance. Catinas partially gets through a knee and then a couple more body punches as the bell sounds. 10-9 Mahieddine.

Round 3

Mahieddine starts the final stanza pumping the jab, scoring well with a couple. A head kick by him partially sneaks through, and a combination follows, as Catinas looks at him wearily. Catinas manages to get Mahieddine against the ropes and touches him with a right hook to the head, although it's not hard. Mahieddine scores with a knee from short range and avoids the left hook to right hook counter from Catinas. Mahieddine scores a nice short uppercut and right hook, while avoiding Cantinas' blows. He follows up with a knee. He adds another uppercut, and then goes back to his leg kicks, which Catinas just eats. Mahieddine continues scoring well on the inside now, and Catinas throws a head kick in desperation that misses. Mahieddine gets a little over-eager coming forward, eating a solid Catinas right cross, his best punch of the round. Mahieddine lands a solid left hook into right uppercut, as Catinas makes faces to show he isn't hurt and the crowd laughs. After a separation by the referee, Mahieddine scores another solid right uppercut and then several short hooks. Catinas fires back, but Mahieddine is ready now, blocking it all. Mahieddine lands a leg kick and then a right hook to the body. Mahieddine connects with a hard left hook and then partially gets through a head kick as the fight ends! Very exciting match. 10-9 Mahieddine (29-28 Mahieddine).

The Official Result

Nordine Mahieddine def. Raul Catinas via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Luis Tavares vs. Felipe Micheletti

Round 1

Now we move to the light heavyweights, as the far more experienced Luis Tavares (63-8) battles with Brazilian Felipe Micheletti (16-8). This is an important contender's fight, as Tavares is ranked #2 in Glory while Micheletti is #3. Micheletti begins with leg kicks, but Tavares checks them well. Micheletti scores with a body kick. Tavares tries a few leg kicks, but they're checked, too. Micheletti goes for another kick, but it's caught, and Tavares partially counters with an overhand right. Micheletti fires a jab, but it's blocked, and Tavares counters with one of his own. Micheletti throws several kicks, but Tavares' defense is good. Tavares lands a nice, chopping leg kick. Tavares lands another thudding leg kick and then catches Micheletti's kick, kicking out his other leg from under him, planting the Brazilian on his butt. A pretty sequence! Micheletti throws some nice hooks, but Tavares dodges them all, and partially sneaks a 1-2 through. Tavares catches another front kick, and lands a nice body punch, following it up with a testing jab. Tavares fades a Micheletti right hook and counters with a left hook. Micheletti counters with punches and a head kick, but they're again largely blocked. As the referee yells for a stop, Tavares keeps fighting and lands a big right hand against Micheletti, who has indeed halted. The referee lets him off with just an "official warning". Micheletti fires a jab that is blocked but then connects with a leg kick, his best of the opening round. Tavares throws a head kick that is blocked well. Tavares goes for several leg kicks, but they're checked. With Micheletti against the ropes, Tavares throws a 1-2 and the cross lands flush. He follows up with another right cross. Micheletti begins striking, but Tavares again kicks his legs out, forcing him to the canvas. The Brazilian gets up, and Tavares lands a nice forward knee, and then avoids the receipts. A very nice round for Tavares. 10-9 Tavares.

Round 2

Tavares lands a nice front kick to the body. Micheletti responds with a nice leg kick. Micheletti throws some hooks at close range, but Tavares evades them all with beautiful head movement. He continues doing so and when Micheletti throws a kick, he catches it and kicks the other leg out from under him for the third time tonight. Micheletti lands a couple of leg kicks, but Tavares partially gets a few hooks through. The actual slows, until Tavares pops Micheletti with a right cross. Tavares lands a nice 1-2 with Micheletti against the ropes. Tavares scores with a nice left hook and pulls straight back to avoid a couple of Micheletti head kicks. Tavares throws a 1-2-3, with the final punch, the left hook, landing best. Tavares goes for a jumping knee that is blocked, and Micheletti lands a leg kick off of it. Tavares lands a couple of leg kicks of his own. Micheletti comes forward, but is again unable to land anything against Tavares' fine defense. At short range, they throw hooks, and Tavares gets the best of them. Micheletti misses again with a head kick, and Tavares lands a good right hand. A masterful defensive display by Tavares. 10-9 Tavares.

Round 3

They exchange leg kicks to begin the round. Tavares lands a nice front push-kick. Micheletti lands a solid leg kick. Micheletti avoids several Tavares punches, but gets caught with a nice straight right. Tavares against catches Micheletti's kick, and this time, lands a nice right uppercut off of it as the Brazilian retreats. Tavares scores with another push-kick to the body and then lands a clean 1-2 that pushes Micheletti back into the ropes. Both men miss left hooks. Tavares is having more success on the inside though, and then scores with a knee to the body. Micheletti responds with several hard leg kicks, until Tavares ends it with a hard right cross. Micheletti is undeterred and lands another hard leg kick as Tavares suddenly looks winded. An axe kick by Micheletti ends with Tavares pushing him to the canvas. After a reset, Micheletti partially lands a jumping knee. Tavares lands another front push-kick. After a brief respite, Tavares lands a nice 1-2, and Micheletti's legs buckle, as he stumbles into the ropes as the crowd explodes. The ropes appear to have been the only thing stopping that from being a knockdown. Tavares connects on a good overhand right. Micheletti comes forward with strikes, but Tavares blocks or avoids them. To end the fight, Tavares lands a right hand, a couple of hard hooks to the body, and then another good right hook upstairs. An excellent performance by Tavares. 10-9 Tavares (30-27 Tavares)

The Official Result

Luis Tavares def. Felipe Micheletti via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27, 29-27, 30-27)

Levi Rigters vs. Tomas Mozny

Round 1

We now move back to the heavyweights, where #5 Levi Ritgers (12-1) must thwart a challenge from the giant 6'7.5" Slovakian Tomas Mozny (20-9-1). Ritgers begins the fight with several hard leg kicks. Mozny finally tries to check one, but Ritgers' kicks still hurt him. After yet another one, Mozny appears hurt already. A Rigters head kick misses, but then he lands two more fast, brutal leg kicks. And then, he adds a third and fourth for good measure, with Mozny unable to counter. Mozny lands a leg kick of his own, but this is a battle he is losing. Mozny comes forward with punches and a kick, but they're all blocked. Ritgers throws a 1-2, and the cross lands to the body. Ritgers scores with another inside leg kick and then partially gets an overhand right through. Ritgers doubles up on the jab and then lands another leg kick he chains to the end of it. Mozny throws a head kick to end the round, which Ritgers blocks. A dominant round for Ritgers. 10-9 Ritgers.

Round 2

Ritgers beings round 2 as he did he did the first one, landing two blistering leg kicks. Ritgers partially connects with a right cross and then an inside leg kick that causes Mozny to fall to the canvas. The referee, however, does not count it as a knockdown. Ritgers scores with a jab, and soon after, a solid left hook. Ritgers scores a nice combination to the body and then chains a leg kick to the end. Ritgers continues attacking the legs, which Mozny is utterly unable to defend against. Ritgers hits Mozny with a hard jab, and then a leg kick that has Mozny badly limping. A follow-up leg kick causes Mozny to fall to the canvas, and this one is counted as a knockdown. He valiantly gets up, but how long can he keep going? Ritgers lands a body kick when he gets up, which perhaps Mozny would prefer to a leg kick. A leg kick by Ritgers causes Mozny to limp. And then, another one causes him to lose his balance and fall to the floor, a second knockdown! He continues, however. It's not long before Ritgers shakes Mozny with another leg kick. Mozny fires off punches, and one partially lands. Ritgers connects with yet another hellacious leg kick that has Mozny badly hurt, but he stays upright. What a devastating round. 10-7 Ritgers.

Round 3

Ritgers begins the final stanza with a body kick. Against the ropes, he lands yet another hard leg kick. Ritgers connects with a hard jab and then lands another brutal leg kick that again sends Mozny to the canvas. Ritgers hits him with another brutal leg kick, then a second, and finally, a third. Mozny crashes to the floor for a fourth time, and Ritgers wins by knockout! A tremendous performance, and wonderful example of how to destroy a tall man with leg kicks.

The Official Result

Levi Rigters def. Tomas Mozny via TKO (Leg Kicks) at 1:02 of Round 3

Tarik Khbabez vs. Antonio Plazibat

Round 1

Continuing with the big men, #4 heavyweight Tarik Khbabez (47-7-1) battles #7 heavyweight Antonio Plazibat (18-4). There will be a considerable size disparity here, as Khbabez is 6'0" and 243 pounds while Plazibat is 6'5" and 259 pounds. Keeping them honest will be referee Youssef Annikh. Plazibat tests with a jab and lands a leg kick, until Khbabez hits him with a hard right hook to the body. Plazibat tries a push-kick, and Khbabez counters with a solid 1-2. Khbabez immediately goes to the inside and starts ripping punches, including a solid right hook to the head and then a right cross. Plazibat retaliates with a left hook and leg kick. Plazibat fires a combination, but it's blocked, and Khbabez throws one of his own, with a hard leg kick getting through. Plazibat goes for a big knee that misses, and Khbabez connects on a hard straight right to the head. Plazibat throws punches, but Khbabez's defense is sturdy, and then Khbabez lands several hard punches to the body. Plazibat partially gets through with a couple of 1-2s, as Khbabez stalks him forward. Plazibat partially lands a combination punctuated with a leg kick. Plazibat is doing a better job now of defending against Khbabez's punches on the inside. Plazibat lands a nice body kick. He blocks Khbabez's punches and then gets a jab through. Khbabez lands a leg kick. Plazibat lands a solid right hand. Suddenly, Khbabez's attack is less furious, and Plazibat is able to defend. As the round ends, they throw punches, and Plazibat getting the better of them, and Khbabez stumbles back onto his posterior. 10-9 Plazibat.

Round 2

Plazibat starts the round with a jab, and then lands a leg kick and 1-2. Plazibat lands a jab and then a left hook that buckles Khbabez. Khababez retreats and Plazibat nails him with a right cross, sending him to the canvas. Plazibat lands a beautiful switch-knee and as both men throw straight punches, Plazibat is getting the better of it. Plazibat throws a series of 2-3s, with the right crosses in particular badly hurting Khbabez. Khbabez is still standing though, as he keeps eating brutal punch after brutal punch. A few right hooks badly hurt Khbabez, almost taking him off his feet. A huge 3-2 sends Khbabez back to the canvas, flat on his back. He fails to beat the 10 count, and Plazibat has a beautiful KO victory to add to his highlight reel!

The Official Result

Antonio Plazibat def. Tarik Khbabez via KO (Punch) at 2:14 of Round 2

Glory Light Heavyweight Title Fight:
Alex Pereira vs. Artem Vakhitov

Round 1

In the co-main event, we have a clash for the light heavyweight championship, as #1 contender Artem Vakhitov (21-6) faces champion Alex Pereira (33-6) in a rematch of their very close fight at Glory 77. Pereira has a knockout victory in kickboxing over Israel Adesanya and is set to debut at UFC 268 against Andreas Michailidis regardless of the result of this fight. Hopefully, it doesn't distract him. Referee Edward Strijkert gets the championship duties. The fight begins and Vakhitov starts pumping his jab. Pereira hits him with a nice knee as he comes forward. Vakhitov clinches. They break and again Pereira times him with a knee. Rinse and repeat. Pereira scores a nice 1-2 that gets through cleanly as they continue a pattern of a few strikes and clinching. Pereira lands a very good jab into a right hook that rocks Vakhitov. Pereira works the jab, as Vakhitov looks for an opportunity to get in. Pereira lands a few off-power short punches. Vakhitov lands a nice right hand that snaps the Brazilian's head back. Later, he lands a nice right hook upstairs, too. 10-9 Pereira.

Round 2

Vakhitov begins the round with a leg kick and Pereira lands a nice jab. Pereira then partially gets a nice jumping knee through. They trade leg kicks, and Pereira gets the best of them. He continues using a nice mix off off-power and off-speed, landing some nice light punches to the head and body. Vakhitov, however, lands a big right cross power punch upstairs. After yet another clinch, they get another warning. Pereira lands a huge 1-2 that visibly hurts and backs up the Russian. He follows up with a few more punches as Vakhitov clinches for dear life. Vakhitov seems to have recovered, throwing a head kick and then punch that are blocked. Vakhitov gets a body punch through. Pereira partially connects with a nice left hook and then another one. He follows up with a right hook that scores and then a knee up the middle that hurts Vakhitov again. Vakhitov responds with a big right cross that snaps Pereira's haead back. Against the ropes, Vakhitov hits the Brazilian champion with an overhand right that stuns him. As the round ends, both men get another very stern warning from the judge about clinching. Close stanza. 10-9 Pereira.

Round 3

Pereira begins with a few jabs, which Vakhitov blocks, and Vakhitov lands a nice leg kick. He then lands a second leg kick which clearly hurts the Brazilian. Pereira is probing with punches, but nothing hard lands. Pereira goes forward to clinch, but Vakhitov lands several solid short punches. Pereira is more successful on a second attempt, landing several hard short hooks. Pereira lands a leg kick into a knee on the inside. Pereira lands a few short jabs until Vakhitov lands another hard leg kick. Pereira finds the opening on the inside, splitting the guard with his punches. Vakhitov continues his attack on the legs, landing several solid ones, but his attempts to land punches are blocked. That is, until, he lands another big right hand, probably the best connect of the round. Pereira lands a decent leg kick of his own, but then Vakhitov responds with a very hard one, and before long, catches Pereira with a right cross. Vakhitov lands a big combination that hurt Pereira as he is forced to clinch. A nice comeback round for the Russian. 10-9 Vakhitov.

Round 4

Pereira paws a jab to begin the round. He tries with a few kicks, one to the legs and one upstairs, but they're blocked. Vakhitov, meanwhile, connects on a good leg kick. Pereira lands a solid knee up the middle, but Vakhitov lands a few short hooks. Vakhitov lands a very hard leg kick. Pereira responds with a neat left hook. Vakhitov checks a few Pereira leg kicks then finds his way on the inside, landing a straight right. Suddenly, after another clinch, the referee deducts a point from Pereira for holding. Off a break, Pereira partially lands a nice head kick. Vakhitov punches on the inside, but nothing hard lands. They trade leg kicks, but Vakhitov gets the better of the blows. Pereira lands a stiff jab. When he comes forward, though, he eats a big right hook from Vakhitov. Pereira scores a nice left hook as Vakhitov goes on the inside. Pereira lands a nice jumping knee, but then Vakhitov nails him with a left hook. Very close round, but the point deduction makes it seem uneven. 10-8 Vakhitov.

Round 5

Pereira probes with a jab, but it's Vakhitov who lands two hard leg kicks to begin the final round. Pereira tries again to split the guard, but Vakhitov's gloves seal any possible connect off. Pereira lands a few leg kicks, but none are hard. Vakhitov connects with another solid right hand that sends the Brazilian back. Pereira seems the more tired of the two now. Vakhitov scores with a nice body kick. Pereira throws an uppercut on the inside, but it's blocked. They trade leg kicks, and again the Russian gets the better of the exchange. They're clinching plenty now, but the referee is not deducting another point. They trade left hooks, with Pereira getting the better of it. Vakhitov scores on a blistering right cross that Pereira eats, and then lands a couple of follow-up blows. On a break, Pereira spins for a back roundhouse kicks and Vakhitov nails him with a left hook. Pereira falls down, but the judge rules it a slip. As the round winds down, it's Vakhitov landing several hard punches, punctuating it with another fine right cross. A nice way to conclude a wonderful comeback by Vakhitov, who I believe has clearly won this. 10-9 Vakhitov (48-46 Vakhitov).

The Official Result

Artem Vakhitov def. Alex Pereira via Majority Decision (48-46, 46-48, 47-47, 48-46, 49-45)

Badr Hari vs. Arkadiusz Wrzosek

Round 1

In the main event, kickboxing legend Badr Hari (106-15), who is ranked #3 in the organization despite going 0-3 and not having won a fight since 2015, looks for a late career resurgence against #8 Glory heavyweight Arkadiusz Wrzosek. If past Hari fights are any indication, referee Edward Strijkert will have his hands full. Hari begins with a jab. Hari goes for a 1-2 and slips. Hari then lands a jab. Wrzosek counters and it's blocked. Hari lands a solid body kick. Wrzosek scores a leg kick. Hari returns with a left hook to the body. Hari lands a front push-kick. A follow-up 1-2 is evaded by the Polish fighter. Hari throws a powerful body kick that Wrzosek only partially blocks. Hari throws a powerful jab that partly gets through. A front kick by Wrzosek lands. He then touches Hari with a jab. Hari lands a hard straight righ to the body. Wrzosek pops Hari with a jab. Hari evades a follow-up jab. Hari scores with a huge left hook to the body and then a follow-up right to the body downs Wrzosek. Hari then lands a body kick when he gets up. As Wrzosek goes back into the ropes, Hari lands another vicious left hook to the body and Wrzosek is down again! He gets up before the round ends and Hari lands another big body kick as the stanza ends. 10-7 Hari.

Round 2

Wrzosek opens the round aggressively, landing a solid body kick and then a neat leg kick. Hari gets his opponent against the ropes though, and lands two more huge left hooks to the body. He adds a body kick for good measure and Wrzosek is down again. Badr Hari is aggressive coming forward, targeting the body, but as Hari looks for the kill, Wrzosek hits him with a huge head kick. Hari crashes to the canvas, looking completely out for a few seconds. He is unable to beat the ten count! What a shocking and insane turnaround! From being knocked down 3 times to almost instantly knocking out his opponent. This will certainly go down as a classic kickboxing fight.

The Official Result

Arkadiusz Wrzosek def. Badr Hari via KO (Head Kick) at 1:30 of Round 2