Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena is about to shake with fury this Saturday, April 5, 2025, as GLORY 99 rolls out its explosive heavyweight tournament, “Last Heavyweight Standing.” Featuring 16 brutal matchups and a staggering total of 32 fighters, the night promises nonstop action. But all eyes will be on one man—the long-awaited return of Jamal Ben Saddik, who’s set to face Cristian Ristea in what could be the most anticipated bout of the evening.
After more than two years away from the sport, Jamal “The Goliath” Ben Saddik (37 wins, 9 losses, 30 by knockout) roared back into the spotlight at GLORY 98 in February. He stopped Uku Jurjendal with a thunderous head kick in the final seconds of round three, reminding fans and fighters alike why he’s feared in the heavyweight division. Now, the towering Moroccan is back with a vengeance, hungry to dominate this tournament and reclaim his place at the top.
Standing in his path is Romanian veteran Cristian Ristea (44 wins, 25 losses, 13 KOs). After a long absence from the GLORY ring, he returns with a massive task ahead: defeating a revitalized and ruthless Ben Saddik. Ristea, trained by heavyweight icon Benjamin Adegbuyi, brings experience and grit to the table, but he’ll need the fight of his life to survive, let alone win.
Ben Saddik isn’t just powerful—he’s a technical monster. With devastating knockout power in both his fists and legs, his size and reach give him a built-in advantage. He’ll aim to keep Ristea at range, punish every approach, and impose his rhythm early. Observers are eager to see whether the Moroccan powerhouse still has his trademark explosiveness—and if so, how long anyone can last in front of him.
For Ristea, survival hinges on movement, timing, and a near-flawless game plan. He can’t go toe-to-toe with the Goliath, but he might be able to frustrate him, use angles, and land counters when opportunities arise. If he can weather the early storm and drag Ben Saddik into deeper waters, the underdog might just make things interesting.
This isn’t just a return bout—it’s part of one of the most grueling tournaments in modern kickboxing. With 32 fighters entering the fray, finalists will have to battle through up to five fights in a single evening. It’s a war of attrition, and only the toughest will survive.
Fans won’t want to miss a second. The preliminary card goes live on YouTube at 4:00 PM Moroccan time, followed by the main card on DAZN starting at 6:00 PM. Whether you’re tuning in for the sheer spectacle or the return of a legend, GLORY 99 promises to be a night to remember.
You can catch all the action from GLORY 99: Last Heavyweight Standing live on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Here’s how and where to watch:
Preliminary Card:
Starts at 4:00 PM (Moroccan Time)
Streaming live on YouTube (via the official GLORY Kickboxing channel)
Main Card:
Starts at 6:00 PM (Moroccan Time)
Broadcast live on DAZN
DAZN France and DAZN Global links will carry the event for subscribers.
If you’re outside Morocco, be sure to adjust for your local time zone. GLORY typically lists times in CET (Central European Time), which is the same as Moroccan time during this period.
