Nieky Holzekn (right) punching Joseph Valtellini (photo via GLORY)

By FCF Staff

GLORY 19 will go down tomorrow night in Hampton, Virginia, and the card will feature the return of the kickboxing promotion’s #1 welterweight contender, Nieky Holzken.

In December, 2013, Holzken won GLORY’s inaugural, welterweight tourney by stopping Joseph Valtellini in the competition’s finals. The Dutch fighter was expected to face Marc de Bonte in March, 2014 for GLORY’s vacant title, but Holzken injured his shoulder in a car accident.

Valtellini, meanwhile, went on to fight de Bonte in June, 2014, and won the promotion’s welterweight title via unanimous decision.

The 31 year-old fighter was sidelined for much of 2014, but in December, Holzken returned and quickly stopped Yusuf Karakaya while fighting for One Shot World Series. Now, at GLORY 19 on Friday, Holzken will battle Alexander Stetsurenko in the opening round of the card’s welterweight tourney. In the tourney’s other semi-final, Raymond Daniels will take on Jonatan Oliveira.

Holzken has gone 6-0 with GLORY to date, and the highly regarded kickboxer holds an overall record of 85-11.

Recently Full Contact Fighter talked to Holzken about his return, his last fight and various other issues, via email.

How excited were you Nieky to get back into the ring this past December (over Karakaya)? It must have been nice to get the quick win?

Yeah. It feels very good to be back and still going strong.

Were you surprised when GLORY informed you that you would have to compete in a contender tournament? Despite the fact you have a previous win over the new champ, Joe Valtellini?

Of course not. I’ll fight in the tournament. No problem.

What did you think of Joe’s championship win over Marc De Bonte?

He clearly won three rounds.

What do you know about Aleksandr Stetcurenko? What concerns you the most about his skill set?

I know he’s a very good fighter with good cardio and wins over good opponents.

Who do you expect to face in the tourney finals?

I don’t know. I’m ready for anything.

GLORY broadcast several more events on SPIKE while you were recovering from your shoulder injury; what do you think of the progress GLORY has made in the last year or so?

I’ve been able to see some good shows and hope GLORY keeps growing.

Who are some of the people who have helped you get ready for this fight?

Sjef Weber, Michael Johnson, The Blackzillians, Mikki Bennazous

Do you have an message for your fans?

I’m back and it feels great!

The main card for GLORY 19 will be broadcast on SPIKE, and the card will also feature a heavyweight bout between champion Rico Verhoeven and Errol Zimmerman.