GLORY Kickboxing’s Grand Prix event on March 9 was designed to be a showcase for the heavyweights. The main selling point of the show in Arnhem, Netherlands, was an eight-man heavyweight tournament, headlined by GLORY world heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven — that was eventually won by Verhoeven, who was victorious in three fights in one night.

But one other highlight of the show was the crowning achievement of a light heavyweight fighter: Tarik Khbabez, a Muslim kickboxer from Morocco, defeated Donegi Abena via split decision to win the GLORY world light heavyweight championship — the first official world title of the 31-year-old’s career.

On the day of his championship victory, before he stepped into the ring, Khbabez wrote on Instagram: My religion and my prayers are the only ones that will help and guide me. In sha Allah. I’ll see you tonight to make history Inchallah.

Khbabez’s professional kickboxing record now stands at 50 wins (28 by knockout), 10 losses and 1 draw. Nicknamed “The Tank,” over the last decade he’s fought in promotions including GLORY, ONE Championship, World Fighting League and SUPERKOMBAT.

In 2019, he challenged Roman Kryklia for the ONE Championship kickboxing light heavyweight title, but lost via TKO. In 2022, Khbabez got a shot at the vacant GLORY light heavyweight title, and lost a split decision to Sergej Maslobojev.

Since then, Khbabez has been undefeated. He stopped Daniel Toledo in a bounce-back fight in March 2023, and just three months later beat Mohamed Amine for the interim version of GLORY’s light heavyweight title, before winning the official version of the belt from Abena this month.

What’s next for the new champ? Abena, who had one successful title defense before losing to Khbabez, is still ranked as the No. 1 contender by GLORY, so there could be an immediate rematch. Maslobojev is ranked No. 2 in the division, presenting an opportunity for Khbabez to get revenge for a close loss. And ranked No. 3 is the 22-year-old phenom Stefan Latescu, who is on a 10-fight win streak across various promotions and was voted GLORY’s 2023 Newcomer of the Year.