Glory
Ben Saddik lost a decision to Jahfarr Wilnis at Glory 2: Brussels on October 6, 2012. [11]
But, despite this setback, he was invited to compete at Glory 4: Tokyo - 2012 Heavyweight Grand Slam , the biggest heavyweight tournament in kickboxing history, on December 31, 2012. He upset world #4 Errol Zimmerman at the opening stage, taking a decision. In the quarter-finals, he beat Remy Bonjasky on points, but lost via a quick body kick from Daniel Ghiță in the semis. [12] Despite coming back from the tournament empty-handed, Ben Saddik's stock rose greatly by beating two much higher-rated fighters. [10]
Ben Saddik fought Peter Aerts at Glory 8: Tokyo - 2013 65kg Slam on May 3, 2013, in Tokyo. [13] [14] [15] He started well and floored Aerts in round one, but the Dutchman rallied back and dropped him three times in the second, forcing a referee stoppage. [16] [17] [18]
He was knocked out late in round three by Ben Edwards in a slugfest at Glory 12: New York - Lightweight World Championship Tournament in New York City on November 23, 2013. [19] [20] [21] [22]
He was expected to fight Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory 14: Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia on March 8, 2014. However he broke his hand while training so he was replaced with Dmytro Bezus. [10] [23]
He knocked out Nicolas Wamba in round two at Glory 16: Denver in Broomfield, Colorado, US on May 3, 2014. [24] [25]
He lost via disqualification when he attacked a downed Hesdy Gerges just seconds into their bout at Qabala Fight Series #1 in Qabala, Azerbaijan on June 29, 2014. [26] [27] Following this incident, Glory suspended him for six months. Ben Saddik issued a public apology to both Gerges and fans of the sport. [28]
First suspension and return
Ben Saddik rebounded from his DQ loss to Gerges with a first-round knockout win over Mamoudou Keta, during Glory 22. [29] Ben Saddik won his next outing with Glory as well, defeating Anderson Silva by a third-round TKO. [30] On August 7, 2015, it was announced that Ben Saddik failed a drug test prior to Glory 23: Las Vegas. He was suspended and fined $6,650 by Nevada State Athletic Commission until 8 August 2016. Ben Saddik must also submit clean drugs tests for steroids and diuretics at 30, 10 and 3 days before next fight in Nevada. As a result, his TKO win against Anderson Silva was changed to a no contest. [31]
His next two fights were outside of Glory in the regional circuits. He was first scheduled to fight Brian Douwes during A1 WCC 20. [32] Douwes won the fight by decision. His next fight was against Andre Schmeling during A1 WCC 21. [33]
He also had one with ACB Kickboxing, against Gordon Haupt. Ben Saddik won by a first-round KO. [34]
Returning to Glory, Ben Saddik won decision against Ismael Londt and Guto Inocente. [35]
He was given a chance to fight Rico Verhoeven for the Glory Heavyweight title. [36] Jamal lost to Rico Verhoeven by TKO for the Glory World Championship 49 after his won fight in 2011. He was seen spitting in the face of Rico Verhoeven in a prefight press conference for which he was fined after the incident. [37]
On December 8, 2018, he won the Glory 62 Heavyweight Contender tournament [38] by knocking out Benjamin Adegbuyi in the first round of the final, after winning his fights against Junior Tafa and Guto Inocente in the quarter and semi-final respectively. [39]
He signed a new, long term, contract with Glory in January 2020. [40]
In October 2020, Glory announced Ben Saddik would fight a rubber match with Rico Verhoeven for the Glory Heavyweight title, although they didn't announce a date for the fight. [41] [42] The fight was later scheduled for Glory 77. [43] He withdrew from the bout, 11 days before the event, due to a back injury. [44]
Ben Saddik was scheduled to face Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory: Collision 3 on October 23, 2021. The two of the previously fought at Glory 62: Rotterdam, in the finals of the 2018 Glory Heavyweight Contender tournament, with Ben Saddik winning by a first-round knockout. [45] Ben Saddik was later rescheduled to face Rico Verhoeven at the same event, as a late replacement for Alistair Overeem, who was forced to withdraw due to an injury. [46] Ben Saddik lost by fourth-round TKO. [47]
Ben Saddik was booked to face the former Enfusion Heavyweight Champion and 2020 Glory 76 Heavyweight Tournament winner Levi Rigters at Glory 80 on March 19, 2022. [48] The bout was cancelled minutes before starting, due to riots breaking out in the crowd. [49]
Second suspension
Ben Saddik faced Benjamin Adegbuyi, in an eliminator for the interim Glory heavyweight championship, at Glory 81: Ben Saddik vs. Adegbuyi 2 on August 20, 2022. [50] He made quick work of his opponent, as he won the fight by a first-round knockout. Ben Saddik knocked Adegubuyi down once prior to the stoppage. [51]
In January 2023, Glory announced Ben Saddik is suspended since his fight with Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory 81 on 20 August 2022, due to an investigation into a rule violation. [52] It was revealed on February 8, 2023, that he had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. As a result, his victory over Adegbuyi at Glory 81 was overturned to a no contest. [53] He was also suspended for 15 months, beginning with August 20. [54]
Fourth suspension
Ben Saddik was suspended for 10-months for his violations of the anti-doping rules as a result of his positive sample collected out-of-competition on 19 February 2024. Ben Saddik tested positive for clomifene and its metabolite. The sample was analyzed at a WADA accredited laboratory. [56]
The Anti-Doping Committee determined that a reduction from the default 12-month sanction was appropriate because Ben Saddik provided sufficient evidence that his use of clomifene was pursuant to a valid prescription from a physician to treat symptoms and his use occurred prior to the new ruleset going into effect. Ben Saddik’s period of ineligibility began on 6 March 2024 and he will be eligible on 6 January 2025. [57]
Return
After two and a half years of absence, on February 22, 2025, Ben Saddik is scheduled to face Uku Jürjendal at Glory 98 at RTM Stage in Rotterdam, Netherlands. [58]
