News Glory lifts sanctions on Russian fighters

David Street

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Glory lifts sanctions on Russian fighters

The international kickboxing promotion company announced on Monday that it has removed restrictions previously imposed, which had prevented participants from taking part in global competitions and tournaments. These measures were enforced in 2022 as a result of the war in Ukraine.​

Glory is one of the world's leading organisations in this contact sport discipline. Before being restructured in 2012 - it was previously known as Glory World, with a martial arts focus. After the International Olympic Committee (IOC) extended its sanctions to all federations, the company followed suit and cancelled contracts with Russian and Belarusian fighters.

A year later, the IOC decided to give individual federations the option of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international tournaments, but only under certain conditions. The governing body laid down strict guidelines and requirements, the main one being that athletes must not "actively support" Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Those who had publicly expressed pro-Russian views in the conflict - whether through media appearances, social media posts or public events - were barred from participating. Only athletes with no apparent connection to the conflict, past or present, were allowed to compete under neutral status.

www.insidethegames.biz

Glory lifts sanctions on Russian fighters

The international kickboxing promotion company announced on Monday that it has removed restrictions previously imposed, which had prevented participan...
www.insidethegames.biz www.insidethegames.biz
 
Don't think Glory has actually announced anything. Being fairly quiet about the whole thing.

Cool to see literal Russian propaganda on a kickboxing promotions hahah.
 
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It was completely retarded to begin with. They ruined Vahkitov's legacy and that division in the process.

You can't blame an athlete for the actions of it's government, especially when you aren't being even handed. It's an individual sport, it's not the fucking Olympics it's Kickboxing.
 
Shadess said:
Don't think Glory has actually announced anything. Being fairly quiet about the whole thing.
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“We’d like to deeply thank our Russian athletes for their cooperation during this challenging time and for their historic performances in our league. We value them as athletes, competitors, and friends, and this regrettable situation is not their fault. It’s not our fault either,” said GLORY Executive Vice Chairman Scott Rudmann.
 
pipilica said:
I don't. At a global level, majority decisions are made and I guess they are the best. Glory is looking for big boys and because of this they reopened Eastern Europe.
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Majority decisions are made by who, and how do you determine they were the best?

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't recall any other fight orgs outright banning Russian fighters like Glory did. Even booted their own champ. That is pretty unprecedented.

I understand they want that market back in now since the talent pool has been otherwise shallow.
 
Snubnoze707 said:
Majority decisions are made by who, and how do you determine they were the best?

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't recall any other fight orgs outright banning Russian fighters like Glory did. Even booted their own champ. That is pretty unprecedented.

I understand they want that market back in now since the talent pool has been otherwise shallow.
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KSW. But there were like 2 or 3 Russian fighters, MW champion Chuzhigaev started to represent Turkey and others were cut.
 
Snubnoze707 said:
It was completely retarded to begin with. They ruined Vahkitov's legacy and that division in the process.

You can't blame an athlete for the actions of it's government, especially when you aren't being even handed. It's an individual sport, it's not the fucking Olympics it's Kickboxing.
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Glory didn't ban Russians because they think Russian kickboxers are pro war.

Glory is a British company if I can recall. The UK has severe trade sanctions against Russia. Paying a Russian resident means that money is going to support their military through taxation. That can be a problem for some companies.

That and major sponsorship issues (which are related to government sanctions usually too).

Sanctions on Russia are easing up, thats why they are lifting their own sanction. Has nothing to do with them needing their market (their market isn't worth anything anyway).


I have my doubts Glory banning Russian fighters was only out of protest against the war. It was likely for economic reasons, as most things companies do are.
 
Bad move on the chessboard. Following meaningless politics that you do not even understand to lose a market share and potential candidates and revenues can never do good. Screw them.

Kickboxing is a dying sport and MMA is the only future.
 
Doctor Grudge said:
Glory didn't ban Russians because they think Russian kickboxers are pro war.

Glory is a British company if I can recall. The UK has severe trade sanctions against Russia. Paying a Russian resident means that money is going to support their military through taxation. That can be a problem for some companies.

That and major sponsorship issues (which are related to government sanctions usually too).

Sanctions on Russia are easing up, thats why they are lifting their own sanction. Has nothing to do with them needing their market (their market isn't worth anything anyway).


I have my doubts Glory banning Russian fighters was only out of protest against the war. It was likely for economic reasons, as most things companies do are.
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Per Vakhitov, after finding out about the ban not by a phone call, finding out on Instagram:

“Apparently, it is a visa issue, but we have not had any visa issues because we were all approved for five-year visas–and it hasn’t even been a year,” Vakhitov says. “The second reason we were told is because of problems wiring fight pay, but none of us had issues because we all have international bank accounts. And another reason was due to safety. But I think this is the only organization out of all the professional promotions to act this way and end the contracts of the Russian fighters.”
 
I'm pretty sure it had something to do with investors pushing for this sanction or otherwise reducing (perhaps even cutting) their investments into Glory.
 
Tayski said:
I'm pretty sure it had something to do with investors pushing for this sanction or otherwise reducing (perhaps even cutting) their investments into Glory.
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Did Glory make this statement? I don't remember hearing about this, at least.
 
Snubnoze707 said:
Did Glory make this statement? I don't remember hearing about this, at least.
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Just a wild guess, which IMO would make a lot more sense than just "we can't pay Russian fighters" or "we're anti Russia and Putin". Those who can put enough pressure on Glory to release its own champions would be those who pilot Glory, ie their board or investors.
 
GLORY has not elaborated on what specifically led to its reversal, leaving it unclear what circumstances have changed for the promotion to reinstate Russian fighters.

Any reinstated yet?

Any new Russians sign?

Asadulla Nasipov will be one of the youngest contenders in the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament and certainly a fighter to keep an eye on. In 2021, the Russian won the WAKO World Championship in a strong contender field that included fellow tournament participants Bahram Rajabzadeh, Ahmed Krnjic and Miroslav Vucovic.
 
David Street said:
GLORY has not elaborated on what specifically led to its reversal, leaving it unclear what circumstances have changed for the promotion to reinstate Russian fighters.

Any reinstated yet?

Any new Russians sign?

Asadulla Nasipov will be one of the youngest contenders in the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament and certainly a fighter to keep an eye on. In 2021, the Russian won the WAKO World Championship in a strong contender field that included fellow tournament participants Bahram Rajabzadeh, Ahmed Krnjic and Miroslav Vucovic.
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A lot of russian cross train muay thai and kickboxing, and most are only aiming MMA.
One signed a lot of russian kickboxer and muay-thai fighter though, kickboxing being a dying sport do not help I guess.

And why would russians fight for a promotion who banned them for months despite them not being involved directly in the conflict. Not appealing.
 
Ara tech said:
A lot of russian cross train muay thai and kickboxing, and most are only aiming MMA.
One signed a lot of russian kickboxer and muay-thai fighter though, kickboxing being a dying sport do not help I guess.

And why would russians fight for a promotion who banned them for months despite them not being involved directly in the conflict. Not appealing.
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Dude I live in Thailand, Muy Thai is NOT a dying sport. Never got big in USA despite Chuck Norris's efforts. But never had their Dana White, boxing making a comeback as is even Bare knuckle with a driven David Feldman leading the charge. The promoter that really believes and loves their sport makes all the difference. USA kickboxer will find their star promoter in the USA.
 
Likely, a major factor in Artem Vakhitov’s decision to quit UFC — aside from the cheap Contenders Series contract payouts — was GLORY lifting the Russian ban last month. In June 2022, GLORY terminated the contract of all Russian athletes in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but that changed in February. Vakhitov is now welcome back in the GLORY ring and no longer has to worry about that fancy grappling stuff.

Rico Verhoeven will defend his HW title at #GLORY100 on June 14th against Artem Vakhitov.


 
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