In an exclusive interview with Vechtsport.nl Alim Nabiyev talks about his controversial loss to Endy Semeleer at GLORY 82.
The title fight against Endy Semeleer appeared to be a close call however Nabiyev disagrees.
“I didn’t think it was a close call, I won that fight.” says Nabiyev.
Alim Nabiyev Discusses Controversial Loss
The fight saw the referee appearing to be refereeing a K-1 kickboxing fight, and not following the typical Glory ruleset.
“It is indeed bad that a referee warns me from round 1 with the 1 knee rule (K1 rules), while in Glory there is a different rule. That was very confusing to me.
My trainer also said that it seemed that the referee had not properly prepared the rules. That is of course not good, especially during a title fight.”
“GLORY has not spoken with me, but with my trainer.”
“My team has been told that the decision and the protest procedure is the responsibility of the VON. They just didn’t judge this fight well according to everyone in the world and then they have a protest procedure that I don’t think is right.”
On Groenhart Taking His Shot
Nabiyev believes that Groenhart has taken his title opportunity, due to the fact he hasn’t been offered the rematch.
“My team asked for this by email and had some calls, but as you can see, the preference went to Murthel. In fairness it should have gone to me.”
“I don’t want to say anything against Murthel, he’s a good fighter. But I should have been here.
And actually in place of Endy against Murthel because I maintain that I won at the time and would therefore be champion.”
Backed by the King
Rico Verhoeven also supports the stance by Nabiyev.
“Rico is like my big brother and an inspiration to all of us in the gym, he calls me champ.”
Nabiyev will be in attendance Saturday and will be watching the outcome with a close eye.
“I will come to see who wins, and I assume that I will get the winner, I am entitled to it.
I would like to ask the fans to express their opinion on situations like this. If you win, you win and if you lose, you lose, I won this fight 100% at the time.”
Image Credit GLORY Kickboxing
