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Benjamin Adegbuyi won the 4-man heavyweight tournament at GLORY 35 on November 5, defeating both Hesdy Gerges and Mladen Brestovac with emphatic decision victories. However, Adegbuyi had implemented some major changes with his coaching and overall preparations prior-to GLORY 35.

“Mr Gentelman” first started kickboxing six years, training at Respect Gym in Romania, developing his career under Alin Palatine. However, Adegbuyi decided to switch camps to SuperPro Sports Center in the Netherlands which, is also home to current GLORY Heavyweight champion, Rico Verhoeven. The Romanian’s fighting career is now under the stewardship of SuperPro founder and coach, Dennis Krauweel.

“I just felt I needed some changes in my career after the Rico loss, the second loss because you know maybe I was not confident with my trainer, I was not happy in that gym. I wanted to make a change so we had some common friend you know. So, I always liked Dennis. Smart trainer in my opinion. Not all trainers are open mind, you know. I felt also that I can interact with him. We have great chemistry so why not give it a try?”

Despite changing gyms and to one in a different country, Adegbuyi isn’t planning on emigrating to the Netherlands. Instead, he is planning to still live with his family in Romania and spend up-to a couple of months at a time for future fight camps.  In the interim, he’ll be on a fortnightly training cycle training at Absolute Gym in Transylvania and then the following fortnight at SuperPro.

Last year, Verhoeven had twice beaten Adegbuyi – first by decision at GLORY 22 and then by first round KO at GLORY 26. However, these defeats did not faze Adegbuyi when making the decision to opt for SuperPro nor did the idea of a potential second rematch. If anything, Adegbuyi has his eyes focused on a possible clash with Ismael Londt for a strongly rumoured interim title fight in 2017. As well as targeting a new year collision of his own with Badr Hari.

“I heard some things [in the past] about Rico thinking about change to MMA but we never know. May be its true. Maybe GLORY make everything possible for him to stay for another two or three years. If, like you say, he makes the transition to MMA, I would be happy [to fight] for the vacant title with Ismael. Ismael is my friend but you know, when it comes to business no friendship, you saw, just war in the ring who is the best.

“Maybe if he [Badr Hari] loses to Rico, I will take him next and show him that not only the champion can beat [him] but a lot of guys from Glory, still a tough division in my opinion.”

Adegbuyi had previously defeated Londt by decision when the two clashed in 2013. The fight took place in Suriname (where Londt’s parent’s are from) and in that fight, Londt would find himself being knocked down by the Romanian.

Both Adegbuyi and Londt have won the last two contender tournaments this year but the latter is still waiting for his title shot which, was anticipated for December, before Rico vs Badr was confirmed.

As for Adegbuyi calling out Badr Hari, well this certainly would make an interesting matchup between the “Golden Boy” and the second best GLORY heavyweight after Verhoeven.

GLORY Collision
Badr and Rico GLORY Collision press conference. Image GLORY Sports Intl

Hari made it very clear at the Collision press conference that his main incentives to continue fighting are being handsomely rewarded for fighting the most competitive Heavyweights. Over the last three years, Adegbuyi has fought 19 times, winning 17 and only losing twice to Verhoeven.

Adegbuyi is going to have to wait and see how things unfold in Germany next month, before returning to GLORY action in the first half of 2017. However, he is planning on making his pro boxing debut in the next couple of months but his proposed opponent and date are still to be confirmed.

“I’m planning to make my boxing debut, you know. Have to see some issues, some things but maybe January, February I will try to make a boxing debut.”

“Mr Gentleman” is no stranger to the boxing world having been Tyson Fury‘s sparring partner (before the British heavyweight would defeat Wladimir Klitschko) along with Verhoeven; and having also sparred with Hughie Fury and other heavyweight boxers at the time at Team Fury.

MMA Plus will bring you more in due course once Adegbuyi’s opponent for his pro boxing debut has been confirmed.