GLORY Kickboxing's latest show had to be abandoned before the main event went on after a violent brawl erupted in the stands.
The promotion, who had UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya on their books and are the biggest kickboxing company in the world, held the GLORY 80 event in Hasselt, Belgium in what was their first show of 2022.
7,000 fans packed into the sold-out show at Trixxo Arena but things did not go to plan.
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Levi Rigters and Jamal Ben Saddik never even got the chance to headline the card because the show was cancelled during the co-main event.
Arkadiusz Wrzosek and Badr Hari were slugging it out in a rematch but never got past the second round when things kicked off in the crowd between their supporters.
The wild melee saw shirtless, hooligan-like individuals throwing punches, kicks and even chairs and other objects.
With security struggling to contain the fighting, the Wrzosek and Hari bout was abandoned before its conclusion - and prior to the main event going on.
It was reported that fourteen attendees were injured, as well as four police officers, but no one had to go to hospital after beating treated by the Red Cross at the scene.
No arrests were made, Limburg Regio Hoofdstad police said.
After an initial statement was released, GLORY put a lengthy second statement where the promotion they were "deeply saddened these irresponsible actions have ruined everyone's night".
They also said they would be conducting an investigation into the incident, alongside local authorities, and will not hesitate to impose the strictest sanctions if necessary.
The statement read: "For the past 10 years, GLORY has successfully been organizing safe, world-class events in dozens of cities and countries around the world. In preparation of and during the GLORY 80 event at the Trixxo Arena in Hasselt, Belgium, GLORY worked with the local authorities and took all steps necessary to ensure the on-site safety precautions and procedures.
"Unfortunately, a group of individuals with bad intentions attended the event last night. They exhibited unsafe behavior during the event. With absolute regard to the safety of the audience and upon the request of the local authorities, GLORY stopped the event.
"It was the first time that such an incident has ever taken place at a GLORY event, and we would like to report that with today’s knowledge all event attendees are safe and no one was seriously injured. Safety of all participants and attendees has always and will always be GLORY’s utmost priority.
"We are deeply saddened that these irresponsible actions have ruined everyone’s night: from fighters, to viewers, to the 7,000 fans, and GLORY staff and partners who participated into the sold-out Trixxo Arena which was supposed to be part of a special night.
"These individuals tried to tarnish the image of the sport that we and millions of fans around the world love and care about. This type of behavior has no place in our sport or at our events.
"Over the next days, GLORY will be conducting a full investigation on this incident together with the local authorities. We will take all necessary measures and apply the strictest sanctions, including legal actions, to anyone who took part, directly or indirectly, in any misconduct.
"Lastly, GLORY will communicate actions that will be implemented for GLORY’s pay-per-view customers by email next week."
As of yet there is no word on when the two nixed bouts will be rescheduled.
In a statement, fighter Hari lamented the “small group of hooligans who ruined the evening”.
Topics: Kickboxing, GLORY Kickboxing, Belgium
Josh Lawless