HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.–Benjamin Adegbuyi (28-4) had just put his shirt back on after three hard rounds of kickboxing against Anderson Silva at GLORY 38 while he awaited the judges decision. The judges scored the bout a majority draw, but in GLORY, fights extend into an extra round to decide the rightful winner. So “Mr. Gentleman” took his shirt off, and got himself back in fight mode for one more round. He then scored his second knockdown of the fight and went on to earn a 10-8 score from all three judges for the unanimous decision victory.
Adegbuyi, 32, scored a knockdown in the third round and it appeared as if he would get the victory. But when the bout was ruled a draw it definitely surprised him.
“For sure,” he said. “I got the knockdown and I controlled the fight, but it’s up to the judges. I have a strong mind, so it was nothing [to continue fighting in an extra round]. I took my shirt off and continued. I showed that I am the best in the fourth round and I got the win.”
“It was not my best fight,” Adegbuyi continued. “I was surprised a little bit, but in the end I got the ‘w.’ I feel good, you know? Every time you win you feel good.”
The Transylvania, Romania native was asked to elaborate on why he felt he didn’t fight to the best of his abilities.
“I got surprised,” he answered. “He had some good shots. I wasn’t expecting them. I was expecting to win by knockout in the second or third round. But, you know, not every fight is the same. I am happy that I won.”
The No.1-ranked GLORY heavyweight has shown some great overall improvements since joining Superpro Sportcenter under the tutelage of renowned trainer, Dennis Krauweel. He’s now won three straight fights and showcased some improved kicking techniques like when he kicked out the rear leg of Silva, a style reminiscent of his training partner, GLORY heavyweight champion, Rico Verhoeven.
In addition to working on his in-ring skills, Adegbuyi also spoke about working on his mental game prior to GLORY 38. He mentioned it once again as it related to being tired and finding a way to dig deep and go an extra three minutes against Silva.
“It’s all about the mindset because In the gym we don’t train for three or five rounds,” he said. “We train for 11 and 12. We can do it. It doesn’t matter if you are tired you have to pick it up.”
There was a very large number of Romanian fans in attendance at GLORY 38 and they had the raucous crowd rocking for Adegbuyi’s fight against Silva and also for fellow Romanian Catalin Morosanu’s bout against Maurice Greene. There were Romania flags waving and fans dressed in Romania soccer jerseys all throughout Sears Centre Arena, and the proud Romanian heavyweight was loving it.
“The Romanian crowd was awesome,” he said with a huge smile. “I’m very happy. It felt like home. I had goose bumps. It was awesome.”
How about a GLORY event in Romania with Adegbuyi as the headliner?
“It would be crazy. It would be great. It’s my dream to fight in Romania in a big stadium or big venue on main event.”
