GLORY Collision 2: Injury Ends Verhoeven vs. Hari (Again)

It appears this “unfinished business” will remain unfinished…

Despite intense and power-filled two-and-a-third rounds of kickboxing action, an injury to Badr Hari — who troubled Rico Verhoeven in their GLORY: Collision 2 main event — forces him unable to continue, giving Verhoeven the win and allowing him to once again retain the GLORY heavyweight championship at the Gelredome in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

Verhoeven came out with a more aggressive approach than normal, perhaps in an attempt to establish control from the get-go. Hari, however, caught him with a right hand on the neck, knocking Verhoeven down for the first time in his GLORY career. Verhoeven got up, but Hari continued to punish him throughout the opening three minutes.

Badr comes out firing!! 🔥 #GLORY #Collision2 #UnfinishedBusiness pic.twitter.com/hqyFiGfKAf

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 21, 2019

Verhoeven’s aggression continued in the second, but he managed to put out a better showing in that round, connecting on several low kicks and combinations, while also landing a couple of uppercuts on the inside.

Hari, however, showed that his power wasn’t going anyway by connecting on several more rights in the second. And a high kick to start the third round dropped Verhoeven once again.

But just as Hari appeared to be closing in on a possible finish and winning the heavyweight title, it happened: a failed spinning heel kick attempt brought an injury to his left leg. The referee called it a knockdown, but upon seeing Hari hurt, he stopped the count and waved the fight off, giving the win to Verhoeven.

Hari managed to stand up in his corner after a few minutes but was ultimately stretchered out.

In his post-fight interview, Verhoeven says despite getting troubled, a fight is not over until it’s over. He adds he is willing to give Hari a trilogy bout opportunity — but only if Hari is able to get better.

For the full results of GLORY Collision 2, see below.

For the full results of GLORY 74 and the GLORY 74 SuperFight Series, both of which took place prior to Collision 2, click here.

GLORY: Collision 2 results

GLORY heavyweight championship: (c.) Rico Verhoeven def. Badr Hari via TKO (injury) (Rd. 3, 0:59)

Luis Tavares def. Stephane Susperregui via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Mohammed Jaraya def. Massaro Glunder via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Zakaria Zouggary def. Asa Ten Pow via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27)