Tarik Khbabez

Tarik Khbabez (born 20 April 1992) is a Moroccan-Dutch kickboxer currently signed to Glory, where he is the Glory Light Heavyweight Champion.^[2] He formerly competed SUPERKOMBAT Fighting Championship, having won the SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament in 2015. Khbabez has also competed in ONE Championship is a former ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing world title challenger. In 2021, he was the runner up for the Glory 77: Rotterdam Heavyweight Tournament.

Tarik Khbabez
Born	(1992-04-20) 20 April 1992 (age 32) Salé, Morocco
Nickname	The Tank
Height	184 cm (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Weight	94.9 kg (209 lb; 15 st)
Division	Heavyweight (2005–2018, 2020–2022) Light heavyweight (2018–2019, 2022-Present)
Reach	74 in (190 cm)
Style	Kickboxing
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	The Hague, Netherlands
Team	ARJ Trainingen
Trainer	Maikel Polanen
Years active	2005 - present
Kickboxing record
Total	63
Wins	51
By knockout	28
Losses	11
By knockout	7
Draws	1

He is ranked as the ninth best heavyweight by Combat Press as of September 2022,^[3] and sixth best by Beyond Kickboxing as of October 2022.^[4]

Career

SUPERKOMBAT

Khbabez took part in the 2014 SUPERKOMBAT Qualification tournament. In the semifinals he beat Gurhan Degirmenci through a first round TKO. He defeated Dexter Suisse in the finals by unanimous decision.^[5]

He participated in the 2015 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix. In the semifinals he defeated Nicolas Wamba by decision. Tarik won the final bout against Roman Kryklia by decision as well.^[6]

ONE Championship

Tarik Khbabez made his ONE Championship debut on June 23, 2018 at ONE Championship: Pinnacle of Power, where he defeated Alain Ngalani by TKO at 1:43 of the third round.^[7]

On August 27, 2018, Khbabez signed a multi-fight contract with ONE Championship, where he would compete in the organization's all-striking ONE Super Series.^[8]

On October 26, 2018, he faced Ibrahim El Bouni at ONE Championship: Pursuit of Greatness. Khbabez won the fight by TKO via referee stoppage.^[9] On March 9, 2019, he picked up a unanimous decision victory over Andrei Stoica at ONE Championship: Reign of Valor.^[10] On June 15, 2019, he defeated Anderson Silva by unanimous decision at ONE Championship: Legendary Quest.^[11] At this point, Khbabez was 4–0 in ONE Super Series.

On November 16, 2019, Tarik Khbabez faced Roman Kryklia for the inaugural ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship. Going into the fight as a favorite, Khbabez lost by TKO in the second round.^[12]

GLORY

On October 30, 2020, it was announced that Tarik Khbabez signed with Glory.^[13][14] Khbabez will make his promotional debut at Glory 77, against Antonio Plazibat.^[15] Khbabez was later rescheduled to face Levi Rigters in a four man heavyweight tournament.^[16] He beat Rigters by split decision, but lost the final bout against Rico Verhoeven by TKO.^[17] Three months prior to the tournament, Khbabez underwent hand surgery. He later revealed he had re-injured his hand during the final bout with Verhoeven.^[18]

Khbabez was scheduled to fight the #6 ranked Glory heavyweight Antonio Plazibat at Glory 78: Rotterdam.^[19][20] The pair was originally scheduled to fight at GLORY 77, before Plazibat withdrew due to injuries sustained in training.^[21]

Khbabaez was booked to face the Glory Light Heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov in a catchweight non-title bout at Glory 80 on March 19, 2022.^[22] Vakhitov withdrew from the bout on March 12.^[23]

Khbabez fought a rematch with Antonio Plazibat at Glory 80 Studio on May 14, 2022.^[24] He lost the fight by a third-round knockout.^[25]

Move to light-heavyweight

Khbabez faced Sergej Maslobojev for the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship at Glory: Collision 4 on October 8, 2022.^[26] He lost the fight by split decision.^[27]

Khbabez was expected to face Kristpas Zile at Glory 84 on March 11, 2023.^[28] Zile later withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Daniel Toledo. Khbabez won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.^[29]

Khbabez was expected to challenge Donegi Abena for the Glory Light Heavyweight Championship at Glory: Collision 5 on June 17, 2023.^[30] Abena withdrew from the fight with food poisoning on June 14 and was replaced by Mohamed Amine, who faced Khbabez for the interim Glory Light Heavyweight Championship.^[31] Khbabez won the fight by a fourth-round knockout.^[32]

Khbabez was expected to challenge Donegi Abena for the Glory Light Heavyweight Championship at Glory: Collision 6 on November 4, 2023.^[33] Khbabez withdrew from the fight with a hand injury on October 31, and was replaced by Mohamed Touchassie.^[34]

Khbabez challenged the Glory Light Heavyweight champion Donegi Abena at Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix on March 9, 2024.^[35] He won the fight by split decision.^[36]

Khbabez faced Pascal Touré in the quarterfinals of the Glory Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, held on June 8, 2024, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He won the fight by unanimous decision.^[37] Khbabez suffered a second-round stoppage loss to the eventual tournament winner Donegi Abena in the tournament semifinals.^[38]

Personal life

Khbabez was born in Salé, Morocco. At a young age his family moved to the Netherlands, where he grew up in The Hague.^{[citation needed]}

Titles and accomplishments

• Glory
  • 2024 Glory Light Heavyweight Champion (One time, current)
  • 2023 interim Glory Light Heavyweight Champion (One time, former)
  • 2021 Glory 77 Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up
• SUPERKOMBAT Fighting Championship
  • 2015 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix Winner
  • 2014 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix IV Tournament Champion

Kickboxing record

Professional Kickboxing Record

50 Wins (29 (T)KOs), 11 Losses, 1 Draw
Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time
2024-12-07		Donegi Abena	Glory Collision 7	Arnhem, Netherlands
Defending the Glory Light Heavyweight Championship.
2024-06-08	Loss	Donegi Abena	Glory Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, Semifinals	Rotterdam, Netherlands	KO (Low kick)	2	0:30
2024-06-08	Win	Pascal Touré	Glory Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, Quarterfinals	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2024-03-09	Win	Donegi Abena	Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix	Arnhem, Netherlands	Decision (Split)	5	3:00
Wins the Glory Light Heavyweight Championship.
2023-06-17	Win	Mohamed Amine	Glory: Collision 5	Rotterdam, Netherlands	KO (Uppercut)	4	2:02
Won the Interim Glory Light Heavyweight Championship
2023-03-11	Win	Daniel Toledo	Glory 84	Rotterdam, Netherlands	TKO (Corner stoppage)	2	2:47
2022-10-08	Loss	Sergej Maslobojev	Glory: Collision 4	Arnhem, Netherlands	Decision (Split)	5	3:00
For the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship
2022-05-14	Loss	Antonio Plazibat	Glory 80 Studio	Netherlands	KO (Punches)	3	0:52
2021-09-04	Loss	Antonio Plazibat	Glory 78: Rotterdam	Rotterdam, Netherlands	KO (Punches)	2	2:14
2021-01-30	Loss	Rico Verhoeven	Glory 77: Rotterdam, Final	Rotterdam, Netherlands	TKO (Corner Stoppage/Injury)	1	3:00
For the Glory 77 Heavyweight Tournament.
2021-01-30	Win	Levi Rigters	Glory 77: Rotterdam, Semi Final	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Decision (Majority)	3	3:00
2019-11-16	Loss	Roman Kryklia	ONE Championship: Age Of Dragons	Beijing, China	TKO (3 Knockdown Rule)	2	0:43
For the ONE Kickboxing Light Heavyweight Championship.
2019-06-15	Win	Anderson Silva	ONE Championship: Legendary Quest	Shanghai, China	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2019-03-09	Win	Andrei Stoica	ONE Championship: Reign of Valor	Yangon, Myanmar	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2018-10-26	Win	Ibrahim El Bouni	ONE Championship: Pursuit of Greatness	Yangon, Myanmar	TKO (Referee Stoppage)	3	2:26
2018-06-23	Win	Alain Ngalani	ONE Championship: Pinnacle of Power	Beijing, China	TKO	3	1:49
2017-10-29	Win	Nordine Mahieddine	World Fighting League	Almere, Netherlands	Decision	3	3:00
2017-04-23	Win	Gokhan Gedik	World Fighting League 5 : Champions vs. Champions	Almere, Netherlands	Decision	3	3:00
2016-12-03	Loss	Murat Aygun	Mix Fight Gala 20	Frankfurt, Germany	Ext R. Decision	4	3:00
2016-09-24	Win	Bilal Abu Ali	Mix Fight Gala	Istanbul, Turkey	TKO	2	2:05
2016-06-18	Loss	Martin Pacas	W5 EUROPEAN LEAGUE XXXV	Prievidza, Slovakia	TKO	2	0:30
2016-02-16	Loss	Kirill Kornilov	ACB KB 5: Let's Knock The Winter Out	Orel, Russia	TKO	2	1:35
2015-11-07	Win	Roman Kryklia	SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix Final 2015, Final	Bucharest, Romania	Decision	3	3:00
Wins the SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2015.
2015-11-07	Win	Nicolas Wamba	SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix Final 2015, Semi Finals	Bucharest, Romania	Decision	3	3:00
2015-10-16	Win	Sebastian Ciobanu	ACB KB 3: Grand Prix Final	Sibiu, Romania	Decision	3	3:00
2015-04-29	Win	Sasha Polugic	Tatneft Cup 2015 - 1st Selection	Kazan, Russia	TKO	2
2015-04-12	Loss	Brian Douwes	World Fighting League	Hoofddorp, Netherlands	Decision	3	3:00
2014-09-27	Win	Dexter Suisse	SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix IV, Qualification Tournament, Final	Almere, Netherlands	Decision	3	3:00
Wins the SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix IV.
2014-09-27	Win	Gurhan Degirmenci	SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix IV, Qualification Tournament, Semi Finals	Almere, Netherlands	TKO	1	3:00
2013-06-01	Draw	Ismael Lazaar	Fight Fans - Kickboxer V	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Decision	3	3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

• List of male kickboxers

References

1. "Tarik Khbabez". onefc.com. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
2. GLORY signs Heavyweight Tarik Khbabez
3. Aittama, Zach (7 September 2022). "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: September 2022". Combat Press. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
4. Strobel, Kevin (1 October 2022). "Kickboxing Rankings October 2022 — Leona Pettas wins K-1 World Grand Prix and takes top spot at Super Bantamweight". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
5. "SuperKombat: Cairo brutalno nokautirao Alija Cenika". croring.com. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
6. "Tarik Kbabez dominates Superkombat World Grand Prix, now waits to face Daniel Sam in Contender Promotions". mmaplus.co.uk. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
7. "Tarik Khbabez Overwhelms Alain Ngalani In ONE Super Series Debut". Asia One. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
8. "One Championship Signs Tarik Khbabez". Kickboxing Z: Kickboxing News. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
9. "[PHOTOS] Ibrahim El Bouni vs Tarik Khbabez at 'ONE: Pursuit of Greatness' in Yangon, Myanmar". Conan Daily. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
10. "Tarik Khbabez Beats Andrei Stoica In Colossal ONE Super Series Thriller". www.onefc.com. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
11. "Tarik Khbabez Takes Out Anderson Silva, Nabs 4th ONE Super Series Win". www.onefc.com. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
12. "Roman Kryklia Makes World Title History With Spectacular KO". www.onefc.com. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
13. "GLORY signs Heavyweight Tarik Khbabez". GLORY. 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
14. "GLORY Signs Former ONE Fighter Tarik Khbabez". Kickboxing Z. 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
15. "Za veliku Gloryjevu priredbu najavljena i nova borba Antonija Plazibata". fightsite.hr. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
16. "GLORY 77: Four Man Heavyweight Tournament Headlines". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
17. Iskenderov, Parviz. "Video: Rico Verhoeven defeats Hesdy Gerges and Tarik Khbabez to win GLORY 77 heavyweight tourney". fightmag.com.au. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
18. "Tarik Khbabez Explains GLORY 77 Injury". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
19. "GLORY 78: Hamicha Faces Menshikov". kickboxingz.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
20. "Nieuwe datum Badr vs Wrzosek Glory keert terug naar Gelredome". vechtsportinfo.nl (in Dutch). 24 June 2021.
21. "Plazibat i legendarni Hari na istom eventu! Antonija čeka posljednji suparnik Rica Verhoevena!". fightsite.hr. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
22. Reedijk, Tim (11 March 2022). "Tavares trekt zélf stekker uit Glory-wereldtitelgevecht met Rus Vakhitov". ad.nl. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
23. "Soap bij licht-zwaargewichten gaat door: nu houdt Artem Vakhitov het voor gezien bij Glory 80". bndestem.nl. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
24. Sportredactie (7 April 2022). "Na drama Hari en Wrzosek maakt Glory namen van vervangend evenement zonder publiek bekend". ad.nl. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
25. Sportski.net (14 May 2022). "HRVATSKI BORAC POMEO PROTIVNIKA / Najbolji hrvatski kickboksač Antonio Plazibat nokautirao starog znanca pa prozvao prvaka: 'Ricooooo...'". net.hr. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
26. van Dinter, Sean (16 August 2022). "Tarik Khbabez treft Sergej Maslobojev op Glory Collision 4". vechtsportinfo.nl. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
27. "Kickbokser Tarik Khbabez verliest titanenstrijd bij Glory, Van Soest behoudt titel". omroepwest.nl. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
28. Heeswijk, Lizzy (30 January 2023). "Topkickbokser Tarik Khbabez vecht tegen Kristaps Zile op Glory 84". vechtsportinfo.nl. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
29. Boudewijn, Nick (11 March 2023). "Sensatie! Tarik Khbabez trapt tegenstander Daniel Toledo de ring uit bij Glory 84". vechtsportinfo.nl. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
30. Reedijk, Tim (4 May 2023). "Donegi Abena verdedigt Glory-titel in lichtzwaargewicht tegen Tarik Khbabez". ad.nl. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
31. Collet, Bjarne; Pico, Borna (14 June 2023). "Donegi Abena Cancels Title Defense Against Tarik Khbabez After Contracting Food Poisoning, Mohamed Amine Steps in as Late Replacement". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
32. "Tarik Khbabez assomme Mohamed Amine par KO (vidéo)". bladi.net. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
33. Emmerink, Ron (28 August 2023). "Tarik Khbabez en Donegi Abena gaan eindelijk het gevecht aan! 'Strijd der Glory kampioenen'". vechtsportinfo.nl. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
34. Bouzian, Imrane. "Touchassie vs. Abena for the GLORY Light Heavyweight Title". Beyond Kickboxing - The Home of Kickboxing. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
35. Pico, Borna. "Abena Set to Defend GLORY Title Against Khbabez on March 9". Beyond Kickboxing - The Home of Kickboxing. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
36. "Donegi Abena verliest nipt Glory wereldtitel lichtzwaargewicht van Marokkaan Khbabez". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). 9 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
37. "Kickboxing. Grand Prix du Glory : Touré stoppé en quarts par le champion en titre". www.leprogres.fr (in French). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
38. Emmerink, Ron (12 June 2024). "Glory-ster Tarik Khbabez voorlopig uitgeschakeld: 'hopelijk einde jaar terug'". Vechtsport info (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 June 2024.