Glory 91 - Paris [27-04] Results

[K1power]

Just tried to watch an event recap on Champstalk with Ron Emmerink (Vechtsportinfo) and Wilson Boldewijn (Telegraaf) and had to turn it off after a few minutes, because their opinions were excruciatingly biased and uninformed.

All they were talking about was how bad the level of the French fighters was - even though most of them won their fights convincingly - and how Amine got 'robbed' against Touré, who they referred to as an MMA fighter.

Incredible how people can shatter their credibility in less than five minutes.

[larsenator]

Damn. Wasn't expecting that from Ron!

France is a kickboxing and Muay Thai force to be reckoned with - has been for YEARS!

[lero]

Happy with the end of the event, Kwasi fight style is so awkawrd, WW is the second best division in Glory after LHW.

[K1power]

Semeleer congratulating Kwasi, but asking for a rematch as the spinning backfist that knocked him down connected with the underarm - as can be clearly seen in the attached video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6V17h2N3Eh

[K1power]

In a new podcast Kwasi said Semeleer shouldn't get a direct rematch and that his backfist hit with the glove.



It's pretty clear to see here that everything EXCEPT his glove connected

Not to take anything away from Kwasi, but I think something needs to happen. And not just at Glory, but Kickboxing as a whole. Some sort of VAR system like other sports have.

[larsenator]

It's funny, 'cause the first thing that came to mind when I saw the picture in your post above, was "He certainly did not connect with the elbow."

[K1power]

It was actually the underarm right below the elbow that connected. Kwasi's glove is positioned way behind Semeleer's head and didn't make contact at all, unless the rim of the glove is considered fair game

If you watch the full video from the Instagram post I shared above you can clearly see the whole thing in slow motion from an angle that I don't think was shown during the live broadcast.

[larsenator]

I hate these discussions: he's a fighter - he knows that this can happen. He could even be to blamed himself: he might have moved an inch or two forward AFTER the spinning fist was fired.
As a fighter you know, that it is impossible to intentionally connect with the forearm when executing this kind of technique.

He should acknowledge the fact that he lost. And stop complaining about such nonsense, since it is inevitable that this will happen during fights.

[K1power]

Semeleer does in fact acknowledge that he lost, even congratulated Kwasi. I don't see him asking for a No Contest nor does it look like he filed an official complaint.

But he lost both the fight and his title based on a technique that landed illegally. I don't think it's outlandish that he feels he should be first in line for a rematch based on how things played out. Hell, even without the controversy it wouldn't be crazy for Semeleer to ask for a rematch IMO.

Obviously Kwasi didn't connect with the forearm intentionally, but you can definitely train its accuracy. Many fighters have been consistently successful with the techique without connecting elbows or forearms. When we start blaming fighters for "getting hit the wrong way" we might as well say it's their own fault for getting kicked in the balls lol.

I'm not a fan of these discussions either and I too sometimes go with the "shit happens" or "stop bitching" routine, but it's easy to judge from the sidelines when our livelihoods and legacies aren't at stake.

Rules do exist for a reason and if there's a way to improve fair judgment by introducing a VAR/Replay system I'm all for it - even if it takes away from the "spontaneity" of the game.

With all of that said, when Semeleer unfairly got the nod over Nabiev he didn't grant him a rematch either.