Wayne Barrett (photo via GLORY)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Since GLORY held its memorable “Last Man Standing” event in June, not much has been revealed about the kickboxing promotion’s next card, which is expected to take place in October. The event will be the first GLORY’s promoted since the appointment of new CEO Jon Franklin, who began guiding the organization last month.

“Yeah, a lot of changes just like every organization I think when they first start out…,” GLORY middleweight Wayne Barrett noted on a recent episode of Full Contact Fighter Radio. “GLORY came in, had some amazing ideas, and they’re just adapting, just like the UFC did…Dana (White) had to restructure it a little bit and we’re just going through the same thing.”

GLORY 17 and “Last Man Standing” went down on June 21st, in Los Angeles, California, and the events were widely praised for the action they delivered. While the televised fights drew well on SPIKE, the card’s pay-per-view buys were reportedly extremely low.

“If I was put to GLORY in a fighter aspect, if I was to say hey GLORY’s a fighter, GLORY just had the biggest fight of its life, had some complications, and didn’t really get the technique off per say, the way they wanted to,” said Barrett, while discussing the promotion’s reported pay-per-view sales. “They’re going to go back to the drawing board and say hey, ‘where did I make my mistakes, where can I improve’, and that’s basically what the company is doing right now.”

Wayne Barrett (right) landing a shot on Joe Schilling (photo via GLORY)

In a recent open letter, Franklin relayed that the promotion hopes to hold at least ten events a year, and that the organization plans “to take the show on the road and bring GLORY to more fans in more locations.” The new CEO also noted that SPIKE’s re-broadcast of “Last Man Standing” did “very well.”

“We’ve got to get re-runs, when you have the UFC every night, you just to have to hammer the public more,” furthered Barrett, who KO’d Bogdan Stoica at “Last Man Standing”, before losing a split decision to Joe Schilling. “I know that comes with a time, and a little bit more trust between GLORY and SPIKE, but once every couple of months is not going to do it for exposure.”

Recently it was announced that GLORY has extended its broadcasting deal with SPIKE, which should help keep kickboxing in the forefront of fan’s minds.

“Don’t give up on GLORY yet,” Barrett added near the end of the segment. “I’ve had a big talk with them and I know these guys are just reloading, and they’re just coming in a little smarter this time.”

The 28 year-old Barrett also confirmed he’ll be fighting on GLORY’s next card; however, he’s waiting on the promotion to formally announce his opponent. The fight will be Barrett’s fifth to date with the organization.

“I’m always excited to get in the ring. It gives me purpose. That’s why I decided to become a professional athlete,” said Barrett. “Combat sports lets me know how I am and tests myself. With that long layoff last time, I just want to get back in there as soon as possible.”