Tarik Khbabez’s relationship with GLORY appears beyond repair, with the former light heavyweight champion preparing legal action against the promotion after being stripped of his title and blocked from fighting elsewhere while still under contract until December 2026.
Khbabez was expected to defend his belt against {Bahram Rajabzadeh} at GLORY 107, but says disagreements over both the financial and sporting terms of the matchup led to the promotion taking away his title. While GLORY claims Khbabez refused the fight, the four-time world champion strongly disputes that version of events, arguing Rajabzadeh should not have received an immediate rematch after losing to him in October.
“It was always Bahram, Bahram, Bahram,” Khbabez said. “You can’t strip someone of a world title within 24 hours without giving them time.”
The situation escalated further after Khbabez failed to secure a release from his contract despite reportedly receiving better offers from other organizations.
“I have a family. I need to earn money again,” he said. “There are organizations willing to pay me more than GLORY, but they won’t let me leave.”
“People think we can just retire or open a gym when we’re done, but kickboxers don’t get paid that well,” Khbabez explained. “I wanted to earn more now so I can build something for myself later.”
Khbabez claims GLORY rejected his request, telling him the promotion could not meet those financial demands. He also suggested the organization is currently struggling financially.
Ironically, Rajabzadeh later withdrew from GLORY 107 due to injury, meaning the light heavyweight title was not contested at the event. Khbabez revealed GLORY later approached him about stepping in on short notice with a bonus offer, which he declined.
“Suddenly a bonus is possible?” Khbabez said. “I don’t want a one-time bonus. I want a better contract.”
Despite the dispute, Khbabez says the title itself no longer matters to him and that he simply wants the freedom to continue the final years of his career elsewhere.
“All I’m asking is to let me go,” he said.
Source: beyondkick.com