Knockouts are one of the most important signifiers on how to rate a fighter. You don’t have to be a knockout fighter to become a champion. But to become a star, you need to be able to pull the trigger when it counts. For fans, and especially casual fans, knockouts are taken in high regard in the popularity contest of fighters. In the past couple of years fans have been complaining about the lack of knockouts in GLORY. In 2024, I decided to write an article where I analyzed every knockout in each division of that particular year inside the GLORY ring. Of course, like any other kickboxing nerd I needed to know the numbers for 2025 as well.
GLORY's Questionable Shift
In the promotion’s 2024 run the Light Heavyweight division reigned supreme with a 54,55% knockout percentage in 22 total fights. Interestingly, in 2025 GLORY decided to shift their focus heavily on Heavyweight. This to the chagrin of many fans, clamoring for more Light Heavyweight action. One of GLORY’s unspoken goals with this shift was to increase their KO ratio. That became evident when they announced knockout bonuses in collaboration with a sponsor, solely for the Heavyweight division. Historically the Heavyweight division is famous for its knockouts, but in the modern era of kickboxing that hasn't always been the case. The question on everybody’s mind is of course: Did GLORY increase their knockout ratio in 2025?
Let’s take a look at the numbers for each division
I’ll start with the division with the lowest percentage of knockouts and we'll work our way up, but first I want to mention the Middleweight division.
Middleweight - 85 KG
This feels like a deja vu, but once again GLORY is saying goodbye to a division. While the division has not officially been dropped, GLORY has mentioned that Middleweight has not been a priority for them. This came as no surprise since the division had a KO ratio of 7,14% in 2024, with only 1 knockout in 14 fights. While GLORY decided to let the division die, they did book three fights in 2025. All three fights had vastly different outcomes. The first ended with a knockout, the second by a split decision and the third by disqualification. Say what you will, but all three fights were quite entertaining.
Featherweight - 65 KG
While Featherweight held the number 3 spot of highest knockout ratio (29,41%) in 2024, last year they dropped significantly having the lowest KO ratio. A percentage of 15,79% which amounted to only 3 knockouts. What’s striking is that all three knockouts came by the hands of Japanese fighters representing RISE. Kento Haraguchi, Yutaro Asahi and YURA. It’s important to note, while I did take in account RISE events in collaboration with GLORY, I only counted fights labeled as part of the GLORY x RISE Last Featherweight Standing Tournament.
Welterweight - 77 KG
Historically the Welterweight division had many killers pushing for the knockout like Cedric Doumbé and Murthel Groenhart. Unfortunately that’s a bygone era. In 2024 the division had 5 knockouts out of 20 fights. In 2025 both the amount of fights and knockouts dropped. Welterweight ended 2025 with 14 bouts and only 3 knockouts (resulting in a 21,43% KO ratio), tying with the Featherweight division in amount of KO’s.
Light Heavyweight - 95 KG
Light Heavyweight has been the most entertaining division of 2024. When GLORY took a step back on this division, it struck a nerve with fans. Still, with the amount of fights in 2025 being less than half compared to 2024, the Light Heavyweight division still delivered. 4 out of 9 fights ended with a knockout (44,44%), with Michael Boapeah being a key player in the division. Of course, the Light Heavyweights played another important role in GLORY. More on that in the next division.
Heavyweight - +95kg
The most interesting change in 2025 was that, yes, the Heavyweight division did have the most knockouts and the highest knockout percentage. 23 fights ended in a stoppage. That’s a 46% knockout ratio in 50 fights compared to 2024 23 fights with a knockout ratio of 34,78%. While that’s impressive, I have to note that the Heavyweight bouts take up more than half of all GLORY’s fights in 2025. As mentioned, GLORY heavily invested in this division and it shows. In 2024, the Light Heavyweights reigned supreme and in a way they did again in 2025. Many Light Heavyweights like Milos Cvjeticanin, Bahram Rajabzadeh and Anis Bouzid fought in the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament. In fact, Mory Kromah, GLORY’s new Heavyweight champion is originally a Light Heavyweight. What does that tell you about the Heavyweight division?
Total amount of GLORY knockouts compared to fights in 2025
In 2025, GLORY produced a total of 97 fights spread across 10 events. 34 fights ended early, either by a knockout, technical knockout, doctor stoppage or corner stoppage (disqualifications are not included), 62 by decision including draws and 0 by injury (not as a result of a strike). Ergo, GLORY had an overall knockout percentage of 35,05% in 2025.
In conclusion: Did GLORY increase their knockout count in 2025?
Comparing 2025 with 2024, GLORY improved their knockout ratio from 31,73% to 35,05%. It’s not a significant change, but it’s definitely a step up. And of course I’m looking for the ‘what is the reason’. Could this increase be a result of the implementation of knockout bonuses, or perhaps the addition of Light Heavyweights who are often a bit faster and more technically skilled? Or maybe both? I do keep wondering: What if they implemented a knockout bonus for all divisions. Would that have helped to increase the overall amount of knockouts? Looking at the Heavyweight division, I’d say it’s very likely.
Overview of GLORY knockouts: 2024 vs 2025
2025
| DIVISION | FIGHTS | DEC | (T)KO | (T)KO % | INJURY |
| Heavyweight | 50 | 27 | 23 | 46,00% | 0 |
| Light Heavyweight | 9 | 5 | 4 | 44,44% | 0 |
| Middleweight | 3* | 1 | 1 | 33,33% | 0 |
| Welterweight | 14 | 11 | 3 | 21,43% | 0 |
| Lightweight | - | - | - | - | - |
| Featherweight | 19 | 16 | 3 | 15,79% | 0 |
| Catchweight | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0,00% | 0 |
| TOTAL | 97 | 62 | 34 | 35,05% | 0 |
* 1 fight resulted in a disqualification.
2024
| DIVISION | FIGHTS | DEC | (T)KO | (T)KO % | INJURY |
| Heavyweight | 23 | 14 | 8 | 34,78% | 1 |
| Light Heavyweight | 22 | 9 | 12 | 54,55% | 1 |
| Middleweight | 14 | 12 | 1 | 7,14% | 1 |
| Welterweight | 20 | 15 | 5 | 25% | 0 |
| Lightweight | 3 | 1 | 2 | 66,67% | 0 |
| Featherweight | 17 | 12 | 5 | 29,41% | 0 |
| Catchweight | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0,00% | 1 |
| TOTAL | 104 | 67 | 33 | 31,73% | 4 |
Source: beyondkick.com