Former Glory lightweight champion Robin van Roosmalen made history last night when when he defeated Gabriel Varga to capture the featherweight title at Glory 34 which took place at the 1stBank Center in Denver, Colorado.
Both fighters used the opening round to feel each other out but the fight quickly turned in van Roosmalen’s favour when he knocked Varga down twice in round 2, turning the tide of the fight in the process.
For those who thought the 27-year old challenger would lose some of the power and speed he enjoyed during his reign as lightweight champion they would be left disappointment as the man named “Poker face” would asset control in the encounter.
Former champion Vargas would survive the 3rd and make it to the bell at the end of the 4th but the Canadians corner had seen enough, throwing in the towel before the start of the final round to bringing an end to the fight.
As a result the Dutchman was crowned the new Glory featherweight champion, becoming the first fighter in the promotions history to win titles at two different weight-classes.
Earlier in the night Thongchai Sitsongpeenong made an explosive Glory debut when he made light work of Casey Greene during a 2 round demolition to put the rest of the weltweight division on notice.
The 20-year old fighter who trains out of the world famous Sitsongpeenong Gym in Bangkok, Thailand would out box his opponent throughout the opening round and would send his American opponent crashing to the canvas moments before the bell despite the referee not scoring it a knockdown.
It would be more the same in round 2 as the man known as the “Thai Terminator” would again knock his opponent down which should have resulted in the fight being called as Greene was clearly in no condition to continue but for some reason the referee would restart the fight and as a result Thongchai would blast his opponent out just moments before the doctor could dive in to make the save.
GLORY 34 Superfight Series Results
Featherweight Title: Robin van Roosmalen def. (c.) Gabriel Varga via TKO [corner stoppage] (R4, 3:00)
Saulo Cavalari def Brian Douwes via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Tongchai Sitsongpeenong def. Casey Greene by KO (R2, 2:58)
Richard Abraham def. Mike Mathetha via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Justin Houghton def Jonathon Wyderko via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)