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Nieky Holzken
Nieky Holzken (L) Photo: GLORY Sports International

Nieky Holzken (90-13) has pulled out of GLORY 45 against Alim Nabiyev (45-6), MMAPlus has learned.

Holzken, 33, has been dealing with injuries to his left shin and foot, and explained to MMAPlus why he pulled out of the GLORY 45 co-main event.

“I just kept sparring with it and it was getting worse,” said Holzken, who is only training his boxing while wearing padding on his left leg. “I fought one time with injuries in the first fight with Cedric Doumbe and that didn’t work out for me. So, my next fight I want to be 100 percent. With all the fights together it’s been too short of a healing process. I’ll be back soon.”

Holzken, the former GLORY welterweight champion, was originally supposed to face Yoann Kongolo, but Kongolo withdrew from the bout with an injury and was replaced by Nabiyev. Nabiyev will be removed from GLORY 45 and fight on a future card, per sources close to the situation.

A heavyweight bout between Hesdy Gerges (50-18-1) and Mladen Brestovac (53-12-1), which was originally set to headline the GLORY 45 Superfight Series, will now serve as the co-main event.

GLORY 45, which takes place Saturday September 30, will be headlined by a featherweight title bout between Robin van Roosmalen (38-7) and No.1-ranked contender Serhiy Adamchuk (35-8).