Spoiler Alert

Glory 78 “Badr vs. Wrzosek” is exclusively available on pay-per-view and can only be purchased online at www.gloryfights.com. You can purchase and stream the pay-per-view for €19.99, £17.99 or US$24.99 from anywhere in the world.

Nordine Mahieddine would like nothing more than to spoil the return of kickboxing legend Raul Catinas in their Glory 78 heavyweight showcase on Saturday at the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands. On a card that features Badr Hari and Alex Pereira, among others, the Frenchman wants to show the world his skills while putting on a performance fans will remember.

It has been a while since Mahieddine has competed. He took his most recent assignment in December, and the fight did not go as he had hoped, resulting in a knockout loss to Levi Rigters at Glory 76. Mahieddine now finds himself on the rebound, happy to be back doing what he loves most.

“It’s good to get this back up,” Mahieddine said. “To get back in the ring and find all these good sensations, it does good to all enthusiasts of this sport.”

The setback against Rigters snapped Mahieddine’s three-fight winning streak in Glory. After staying on the sidelines for nearly nine months, he admits nailing down a victory against Catinas is of utmost importance.

“Staying on a defeat is no fun,” Mahieddine said, “so it’s important for me to stay on the positive results.”

Glory 78 looks to be a massive card for the organization. In addition to Hari, the event features three title fights, so kickboxing fans across the globe figure to have their eyes on it. The magnitude of the opportunity is not lost on Mahieddine.

“It’s always nice to be on a beautiful card like this one,” he said.

Catinas has not fought since 2016, but he returns to the kickboxing scene with a five-fight winning streak intact. He has populated his resume with wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Siala-Mou Siliga and others. Catinas was originally scheduled to face Martin Pacas in January, but those plans were altered when the coronavirus pandemic started to heat up yet again. Does Catinas’ inactivity give Mahieddine an advantage entering their match?

“It’s possible,” Mahieddine said. “The lack of rhythm in our sport does not forgive.”

Mahieddine believes his future lies at the top of the sport, and he wants every one of his peers wants.

“My career goals are the belt and to be a champion,” he said, “like any of Glory’s fighters.”

The pandemic has not slowed down Mahieddine’s preparation at all. He claims training for Catinas has been business as usual. Though winter made work more difficult, he has since taken on a full-steam-ahead approach. With the returns of Hari, Alistair Overeem and Rico Verhoeven all making waves on the heavyweight kickboxing scene, Mahieddine intends to increase his visibility after Glory 78.

“I’m happy,” he said. “It will allow me to make my boxing known more.”

With all eyes on Hari, a true kickboxing legend, more fans than normal will likely be tuning in to Glory 78. Why should they have an interest in Mahieddine? He promises a show and a fight in which both he and Catinas will be willing to go out on their respective swords.

“They can expect to see real kickboxing, Inshallah,” Mahieddine said.