One of the most anticipated rubber matches is recent Kickboxing memory has been postponed, an elbow injury has forced Artem “The Lion” Levin out of a trilogy match against Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling at GLORY 24: Denver on Oct. 9.
The injury to the GLORY Middleweight World Champion reportedly happened during a training session. A time frame for Levin’s return has not yet been announced.
Despite the unfortunate injury, Schilling will still headline the event at Magness Arena, but instead will face No. 3 ranked Middleweight, Dutchman Jason “Psycho” Wilnis.
“While it’s unfortunate that our champion was injured and we wish him a speedy recovery, we are still able to put together a fight between two of the very best middleweights in the world,” said GLORY CEO Jon Franklin. “It speaks to the depth of talent on our roster and Jason [Wilnis] stepped-up with no hesitation.
“The third fight between Levin and Schilling will happen in the GLORY ring at some point, but make no mistake; this match-up at GLORY 24 has huge implications for one of our deepest divisions.”
Wilnis’s most recent GLORY fight came in Dubai, where he lost a decision to GLORY No.1 Simon Marcus. Schilling last competed at GLORY 19: Virginia, besting Robert Thomas over three rounds.
GLORY have also announced the co-headline bout for GLORY 24, which will mark the return of kickboxing veteran and former UFC Heavyweight Pat ‘HD’ Barry. Fighting out of Colorado, Barry faces GLORY newcomer Karl Roberson, who fought in Jerome Le Banner’s farewell match, and despite not getting the win, many would argue the American in fact deserved victory in that match-up.
Additional bouts for GLORY 24, including the participants in GLORY’s one-night, four-man Heavyweight Contender Tournament, will be announced at a later date. The tournament winner will earn the next shot at GLORY Heavyweight World Champion Rico Verhoeven.
Tickets for GLORY 24 will be available for purchase from Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. MT.
