Jamal Ben Saddik

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Jamal Ben Saddik
Ben Saddik in 2016
Born (1990-10-03) October 3, 1990 (age 33)
Antwerp, Belgium
Other namesThe Goliath
Height2.05[1] m (6 ft 9 in)
Weight119.2 kg (263 lb; 18 st 11 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach80.0 in (203 cm)
StyleKickboxing
TeamSB Gym (2024–present)[2]
Mike's Gym (2021–2024)[3]
Hemmers Gym (2012–2021)
Golden Glory (2011–2012)
TrainerSaid El Badaoui (2024–present)[2]
Mike Passenier (2021–2024)[3]
Nick Hemmers (2012–2021)
Cor Hemmers (2011–2012)
Years active2011–present
Kickboxing record
Total26
Wins15
By knockout10
Losses9
No contests2
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Last updated on: August 20, 2022

Jamal Ben Saddik (Riffian: ⵊⴰⵎⴰⵍ ⴱⵏ ⵙⴰⴷⵉⵇ; born October 3, 1990) is a Belgian professional kickboxer. He is a former two-time Glory Heavyweight Championship challenger and 2018 Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament winner.

Combat Press ranked him as a top ten heavyweight between September 2015 and July 2021, peaking at No. 3.[4][5]

In Glory, Ben Saddik was involved in doping controversies and was removed from the official rankings by the promotion in 2023. In 2015 and 2022 he emerged victorious in the bouts against Anderson Silva and Benjamin Adegbuyi, but were both cut short by Ben Saddik testing positive for banned substances and receiving suspensions, with the fights reversed to a 'no contest'.

Background[edit]

Ben Saddik was born and raised in Antwerp. His parents emigrated to Belgium from the village of Ait Hadifa in northern Morocco. He was taken to a kickboxing gym at the age of 9 by his father, who feared life in the streets would have a negative impact on his son. As a teen, Jamal was shot and grazed with a bullet after a street fight. He was a student of Cor Hemmers until 2021.[6]

Career[edit]

Early years[edit]

He made his debut in the It's Showtime promotion on March 6, 2011, at Fightingstars presents: It's Showtime Sporthallen Zuid and knocked out Rico Verhoeven. He was then scheduled to fight Anderson Silva at Fightclub presents: It's Showtime 2011 on May 21, 2011,[7] but the bout was scrapped when Silva was instead moved to the It's Showtime 2011 Lyon card to fight Daniel Ghiță.[7]

He TKO'd Vitaly Oparin in round one at United Glory 15 on March 23, 2012,[7] and followed this up with a fourth-round KO of Nikolaj Falin on June 2, 2012.[7]

Glory[edit]

Ben Saddik lost a decision to Jahfarr Wilnis at Glory 2: Brussels on October 6, 2012.[8]

But, despite this setback, he was invited to compete at Glory 4: Tokyo - 2012 Heavyweight Grand Slam, the biggest heavyweight tournament in kickboxing history, on December 31, 2012. He upset world #4 Errol Zimmerman at the opening stage, taking a decision. In the quarter-finals, he beat Remy Bonjasky on points, but lost via a quick body kick from Daniel Ghiță in the semis.[9] Despite coming back from the tournament empty-handed, Ben Saddik's stock rose greatly by beating two much higher-rated fighters.[7]

Ben Saddik fought Peter Aerts at Glory 8: Tokyo - 2013 65kg Slam on May 3, 2013, in Tokyo.[10][11][12] He started well and floored Aerts in round one, but the Dutchman rallied back and dropped him three times in the second, forcing a referee stoppage.[13][14][15]

He was knocked out late in round three by Ben Edwards in a slugfest at Glory 12: New York - Lightweight World Championship Tournament in New York City on November 23, 2013.[16][17][18][19]

He was expected to fight Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory 14: Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia on March 8, 2014. However he broke his hand while training so he was replaced with Dmytro Bezus.[7][20]

He knocked out Nicolas Wamba in round two at Glory 16: Denver in Broomfield, Colorado, US on May 3, 2014.[21][22]

He lost via disqualification when he attacked a downed Hesdy Gerges just seconds into their bout at Qabala Fight Series #1 in Qabala, Azerbaijan on June 29, 2014.[23][24] Following this incident, Glory suspended him for six months. Ben Saddik would later issue a public apology to both Gerges and fans of the sport.[25]

First suspension and return[edit]

Ben Saddik rebounded from his DQ loss to Gerges with a first-round knockout win over Mamoudou Keta, during Glory 22.[26] Ben Saddik won his next outing with Glory as well, defeating Anderson Silva by a third-round TKO.[27] On August 7, 2015, it was announced that Ben Saddik failed a drug test prior to Glory 23: Las Vegas. He was suspended and fined $6,650 by Nevada State Athletic Commission until 8 August 2016. Ben Saddik must also submit clean drugs tests for steroids and diuretics at 30, 10 and 3 days before next fight in Nevada. As a result, his TKO win against Anderson Silva was changed to a no contest.[28]

His next two fights were outside of Glory in the regional circuits. He was first scheduled to fight Brian Douwes during A1 WCC 20.[29] Douwes won the fight by decision. His next fight was against Andre Schmeling during A1 WCC 21.[30]

He also had one with ACB Kickboxing, against Gordon Haupt. Ben Saddik won by a first-round KO.[31]

Returning to Glory, Ben Saddik won decision against Ismael Londt and Guto Inocente.[32]

He was given a chance to fight Rico Verhoeven for the Glory Heavyweight title.[33] Jamal lost to Rico Verhoeven by TKO for the Glory World Championship 49 after his won fight in 2011. He was seen spitting in the face of Rico Verhoeven in a prefight press conference for which he was fined after the incident.[34]

On December 8, 2018, he won the Glory 62 Heavyweight Contender tournament[35] by knocking out Benjamin Adegbuyi in the first round of the final, after winning his fights against Junior Tafa and Guto Inocente in the quarter and semi-final respectively.[36]

He signed a new, long term, contract with Glory in January 2020.[37]

In October 2020, Glory announced Ben Saddik would fight a rubber match with Rico Verhoeven for the Glory Heavyweight title, although they didn't announce a date for the fight.[38][39] The fight was later scheduled for Glory 77.[40] He withdrew from the bout, 11 days before the event, due to a back injury.[41]

Ben Saddik was scheduled to face Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory: Collision 3 on October 23, 2021. The two of the previously fought at Glory 62: Rotterdam, in the finals of the 2018 Glory Heavyweight Contender tournament, with Ben Saddik winning by a first-round knockout.[42] Ben Saddik was later rescheduled to face Rico Verhoeven at the same event, as a late replacement for Alistair Overeem, who was forced to withdraw due to an injury.[43] Ben Saddik lost by fourth-round TKO.[44]

Ben Saddik was booked to face the former Enfusion Heavyweight Champion and 2020 Glory 76 Heavyweight Tournament winner Levi Rigters at Glory 80 on March 19, 2022.[45] The bout was cancelled minutes before starting, due to riots breaking out in the crowd.[46]

Second suspension[edit]

Ben Saddik faced Benjamin Adegbuyi, in an eliminator for the interim Glory heavyweight championship, at Glory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuyi 2 on August 20, 2022.[47] He made quick work of his opponent, as he won the fight by a first-round knockout. Ben Saddik knocked Adegubuyi down once prior to the stoppage.[48]

In January 2023, Glory announced Ben Saddik is suspended since his fight with Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory 81 on 20 August 2022, due to an investigation into a rule violation.[49] It was revealed on February 8, 2023, that he had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. As a result, his victory over Adegbuyi at Glory 81 was overturned to a no contest.[50] He was also suspended for 15 months, beginning with August 20.[51]

Personal life[edit]

In 2012, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which would emerge again around a year later.[52] Then, Ben Saddik was cancer-free for a good decade, until in 2024 he was diagnosed with cancer again and underwent a surgery.[53][54]

Legal troubles[edit]

On March 10, 2021, he was arrested in Antwerp, Belgium in a major operation targeting organised crime in Belgium and the Netherlands. Ben S. was referred to as the seller ('reseller') of the secured crypto devices. His lawyer emphasized though that the arrest of Jamal Ben Saddik has nothing to do with the trade in or possession of prohibited substances such as cocaine[55] (Operation Sky).[56][57][58] On March 12, 2021, the Mechelen Council Chamber ordered Ben Saddik to be jailed for 30 days. His attorney immediately filed an appeal. The appeal will be decided in 14 days by the Antwerp Court of Appeal.[59][60]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

  • Glory
    • 2018 Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix (+95 kg/209.4 lb) Winner
  • CombatPress.com
    • 2015 "Comeback of the Year"[61]
    • 2018 "Comeback Fighter of the Year"[62]

Kickboxing record (Incomplete)[edit]

Professional Kickboxing record
15 Wins (10 (T)KO's), 9 Losses, 2 No Contests
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2022-08-20 NC Romania Benjamin Adegbuyi Glory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuyi 2 Düsseldorf, Germany NC (Overturned) 1 2:34
Originally a KO win for Ben Saddik; overturned after he tested positive for at least one prohibited substance.
2021-10-23 Loss Netherlands Rico Verhoeven Glory Collision 3 Arnhem, Netherlands TKO (Punches) 4 0:56
For the Glory Heavyweight Championship.
2018-12-08 Win Romania Benjamin Adegbuyi Glory 62: Rotterdam Final Rotterdam, Netherlands KO (Left hook) 1 1:52
Wins the Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix (+95 kg/209.4 lb) Title.
2018-12-08 Win Brazil Guto Inocente Glory 62: Rotterdam Semi Final Rotterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3:00
2018-12-08 Win Australia Junior Tafa Glory 62: Rotterdam Quarter Final Rotterdam, Netherlands TKO (2 Knockdowns Rule) 1 2:55
2018-09-29 Win Curaçao D'Angelo Marshall Glory 59: Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands TKO (3 Knockdowns Rule) 1 0:57
2018-05-12 Loss Netherlands Jahfarr Wilnis Glory 53: Lille Lille, France Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2017-12-10 Loss Netherlands Rico Verhoeven Glory 49: Rotterdam Rotterdam, Netherlands TKO (Head kick and Punches) 5 1:10
For the Glory Heavyweight Championship.
2017-03-25 Win Brazil Guto Inocente Glory 39: Brussels Brussels, Belgium Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2016-12-10 Win Suriname Ismael Londt Glory: Collision Oberhausen, Germany Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2016-10-16 Win Germany Gordon Haupt ACB KB 8: Only The Braves Hoofddorp, Netherlands KO (Right hook) 1 1:24
2016-05-28 Win Germany Andre Schmeling A1 World Combat Cup 21 Eindhoven, Netherlands KO (Right uppercut) 1
2015-11-28 Loss Netherlands Brian Douwes A1 World Combat Cup 20 [63] Eindhoven, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00
2015-08-07 NC Brazil Anderson Silva Glory 23: Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA NC (Overturned) 3 2:55
Originally a TKO win for Ben Saddik; overturned after he tested positive for at least one prohibited substance.
2015-06-05 Win Belgium Mamoudou Keta Glory 22: Lille Lille, France, KO (Punches) 1 1:59
2014-06-29 Loss Netherlands Hesdy Gerges Qabala Fight Series #1 Qabala, Azerbaijan DQ (Attack on a downed opponent) 1 0:20
2014-05-03 Win France Nicolas Wamba Glory 16: Denver Broomfield, Colorado, USA TKO (Left Hook) 2 1:24
2013-11-23 Loss Australia Ben Edwards Glory 12: New York New York City, New York, USA KO (Right Hook) 3 2:52
2013-05-03 Loss Netherlands Peter Aerts Glory 8: Tokyo Tokyo, Japan TKO (Referee Stoppage) 2
2012-12-31 Loss Romania Daniel Ghiță Glory 4: Tokyo - Heavyweight Grand Slam, Semi Finals Saitama, Japan KO (Liver kick) 1 0:35
2012-12-31 Win Netherlands Remy Bonjasky Glory 4: Tokyo - Heavyweight Grand Slam, Quarter Finals Saitama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 2 2:00
2012-12-31 Win Curaçao Errol Zimmerman Glory 4: Tokyo - Heavyweight Grand Slam, First 16 Saitama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 2 2:00
2012-10-06 Loss Netherlands Jahfarr Wilnis Glory 2: Brussels Brussels, Belgium Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2012-06-02 Win Russia Nikolaj Falin The Netherlands KO (Punches) 2
2012-03-23 Win Russia Vitaliy Oparin United Glory 15 Moscow, Russia TKO 1
2011-03-06 Win Netherlands Rico Verhoeven It's Showtime Sporthallen Zuid Amsterdam, Netherlands TKO (Corner Stoppage) 2 1:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Jamal Ben Saddik". glorykickboxing.com. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b ChampsTalkTV (February 28, 2024). 'Jamal Ben Saddik is in goede handen' Said El Badaoui | GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix Media Day – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b Mike's Gym [@officialmikesgymone01] (September 2, 2021). "We're very happy to announce that big @jamalbensaddik has joined the black and yellow army !" – via Instagram.
  4. ^ Tatum, Rob. "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: September 2015". combatpress.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  5. ^ Aittama, Zach. "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: July 2021". combatpress.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Jamal Ben Saddik bij Glory de ring weer in?". vechtsportinfo.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Liver Kick - outside the comfort zone". Liver Kick.
  8. ^ "GLORY 2 Brussels Live Results". September 25, 2019.
  9. ^ "DREAM 18 / GLORY 4 Tokyo Live Results". May 6, 2019.
  10. ^ "Peter Aerts vs. Jamal Ben Saddik Set for Glory 8 Tokyo". November 15, 2017.
  11. ^ "GLORY 8 Tokyo: 65kg Tournament Field Complete, More Fights Added". May 25, 2018.
  12. ^ "GLORY 8 Tokyo 65kg Tournament Matches Announced". August 3, 2018.
  13. ^ "GLORY 8 Tokyo Live Results". April 15, 2019.
  14. ^ "GLORY 8 Tokyo Results and Review: Yuta Kubo Proves Why He is the Number One Japanese Fighter in the World". Archived from the original on May 6, 2013.
  15. ^ "Glory 8 Results: Yuta Kubo wins featherweight tournament". Archived from the original on July 9, 2015.
  16. ^ "Ky Hollenbeck vs. Shemsi Beqiri and Jamal Ben Saddik vs. Ben Edwards official for Glory 12". Archived from the original on October 21, 2013.
  17. ^ "Glory 12 Results and Recap: Andy Ristie shocks the world with two huge knockouts". Archived from the original on April 3, 2015.
  18. ^ "GLORY 12 Live Results and Updates". November 2, 2017.
  19. ^ "GLORY 12 results: Upsets galore as Giorgio Petrosyan falls short to tourney winner Andy Ristie". Archived from the original on November 28, 2013.
  20. ^ "FightSite - Ben Saddik zbog ozljede otkazao nastup u Zagrebu, umjesto njega dolazi Ukrajinac Bezus". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  21. ^ "UFC Veteran Pat Barry Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss to Zack Mwekassa at Glory 16". Sherdog.
  22. ^ "Glory 16 results found". Archived from the original on March 20, 2015.
  23. ^ "Qabala Fight Series #1 Results". Archived from the original on January 29, 2016.
  24. ^ "Qabala Fight Series #1 Videos". Archived from the original on January 29, 2016.
  25. ^ "Glory suspendirao Ben Saddika na šest mjeseci, Jamal se javno ispričao". arhiva.fightsite.hr. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  26. ^ Hudnall, Jessica (5 June 2015). "Watch This Awesome Knockout In A Heavyweight Kickboxing Match". uproxx.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  27. ^ "Anderson Braddock Silva završio kick boks karijeru i odlazi u MMA!". arhiva.fightsite.hr. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  28. ^ REVISED ***KICKBOXING SHOW RESULTS
  29. ^ "Kickboxing World". facebook.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  30. ^ Vonken, Frank. "Kickboksen om de A1 World Combat Cup". ed.nl. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  31. ^ "(VIDEO) Ben Saddik nokautirao Gloryjevog teškaša, Bugaenko slavio u Amsterdamu". croring.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  32. ^ Aittama, Zach. "GLORY 39 Brussels Results: Doumbé Cruises Past Kongolo, Sitthichai Stops Salvador". combatpress.com/. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  33. ^ "VIDEO! Verhoeven i Jamal Ben Saddik ovog vikenda predvode Glory 49 - pogledajte fight card". profightstore.hr. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  34. ^ "Jamal Ben Saddik krijgt boete voor spugen". November 16, 2017.
  35. ^ Williams, Shar. "GLORY Returns to Rotterdam with Eight-Man Heavyweight Tournament". combatpress.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  36. ^ "GLORY 62 Results: Ben Saddik Captures Heavyweight Tournament". combatpress.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  37. ^ O'Regan, John. "GLORY signs Jamal Ben Saddik to new long-term agreement". glorykickboxing.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  38. ^ "Glory najavio novu obranu titule za Rica Verhoevena". fightsite.hr. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  39. ^ "Morocco's Jamal Ben Saddik to Fight Glory Champion Rico Verhoeven in 2021". moroccoworldnews.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  40. ^ "Ben Saddik to Finally Get Title Shot at GLORY 77". kickboxingz.com. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  41. ^ "BREAKING: Rico Verhoeven vs Jamal Ben Saddik gaat niet door". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  42. ^ Boussenaf, Jamal (3 September 2021). "BREAKING: Jamal Ben Saddik vs. Benjamin Adegbuyi tijdens GLORY Collision 3". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  43. ^ Angelini, Olivier (7 October 2021). "Jamal Ben Saddik vs Rico Verhoeven 3 au Glory Collision 3". boxemag.com. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  44. ^ "GLORY Collision 3 and GLORY 79 Results: Verhoeven Retains". Combat Press. 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  45. ^ van Soest, Lars (14 January 2022). "Glory wijkt vanwege dopinggeschil uit naar België: Badr Hari en Jamal Ben Saddik in actie". telegraaf.nl. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  46. ^ "Badr Hari-arkadiusz Wrzosek, Glory 80 : À Quelle Heure Et Sur Quelle Chaîne ?". cnews.fr. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  47. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (10 June 2022). "Jamal Ben Saddik vs Benjamin Adegbuyi 2 headlines Glory 81 on August 20 in Dusseldorf, Germany". fightmag.com.au. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  48. ^ Tjin, Giovanni (20 August 2022). "Jamal Ben Saddik dolblij na razendsnelle KO tegen Benjamin Adegbuyi: 'Ik kan de besten aan'". ad.nl. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  49. ^ "Glory na 'dreigement' Ben Saddik: 'Hij is geschorst vanwege overtreding van regels'". De Telegraaf. 14 January 2023.
  50. ^ Van Soest, Lars (8 February 2023). "Glory schorst Jamal Ben Saddik na overtreden dopingregels". telegraaf.nl. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  51. ^ "Glory schorst Jamal Ben Saddik vijftien maanden na overtreden dopingregels". tubantia.nl (in Dutch). 8 February 2023.
  52. ^ "The biggest fight of Ben Saddik's life was not in the ring". glorykickboxing.com. September 28, 2018.
  53. ^ "Bio – Welkome to the site of Jamal Ben saddik". Archived from the original on 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  54. ^ Timothy Wheaton (March 14, 2024). "Jamal Ben Saddik Undergoes Surgery for Cancer Again". combatpress.com.
  55. ^ Kraken Sky is 'kernbom' op cokemaffia: 'De grote jongens in Dubai zijn in paniek
  56. ^ Kickbokser Jamal Ben S. opgepakt na kraken cryptotelefoons
  57. ^ De echte war on drugs kan eindelijk beginnen
  58. ^ De ‘kernbom’ op de top van de georganiseerde misdaad: hoe de cokemaffia zichzelf aan de galg praatte
  59. ^ Kickbokser Jamal Ben Saddik moet langer in cel blijven, advocaat meteen in beroep
  60. ^ Kickboxer Ben Saddik in prison for a month longer due to role in Operation Sky
  61. ^ Aittama, Zach. "Combat Press 2015 Kickboxing Awards: Comeback of the Year – Jamal Ben Saddik vs. Anderson Silva". combatpress.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  62. ^ Rob Tatum. "Ben Saddik's stunning reversal of fortune in the second half of the year, including his impressive tournament win, not only earned him a title shot in 2019, but also the 2018 Comeback Fighter of the Year award". CombatPress.com. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  63. ^ "Uitslagen A1 World Combat Cup 20". November 29, 2015.

External links[edit]

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