GLORY Collision 5, held at Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, provided fight fans with an electrifying main event that took an unexpected turn. During the heavyweight clash between Antonio Plazibat and Kevin Tariq Osaro, a referee found himself on the receiving end of a vicious punch.
The highly anticipated GLORY Collision 5 event became the talk of the town as one of the main card fights concluded prematurely due to a brutal injury. Fight enthusiasts were appalled by the sight of a fighter losing his front teeth in a gruesome fashion, making it one of the most shocking mouth injuries witnessed in recent times. However, the unexpected turn of events did not end there. A referee found himself dangerously close to being flatlined, adding an additional layer of intensity to an already action-packed event.
The enthralling matchup had spectators on the edge of their seats as Plazibat and Osaro exchanged blows with relentless intensity. However, as the second round came to a close, chaos ensued. Amidst the flurry of punches near the ropes, the bell sounded, and the referee, Edward Strijkert, rushed in to separate the fighters. In a moment of unfortunate misjudgment, Plazibat’s right hand, aimed at Osaro, landed square on the side of Strijkert’s head, sending him crashing to the canvas.
Fortunately, Strijkert displayed remarkable resilience as he swiftly regained his feet. Nevertheless, due to safety precautions, he was replaced by another referee for the remainder of the bout, ensuring the match continued under professional oversight.
Videos capturing the incident quickly circulated, illustrating the inherent risks of the sport and the split-second decisions that can dramatically impact its participants. The accidental blow to the referee serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of combat sports.
You can watch the video of this incident below
The ref went down during the #COLLISION5 main event 😳 pic.twitter.com/04Bo5Iur3O
— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) June 17, 2023
Cookie Osaro capped off a flawless performance at #COLLISION5 with this finish… pic.twitter.com/7C5RzgPQMv
— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) June 17, 2023
Got a new ref #COLLISION5 pic.twitter.com/bEKHgjCPNc
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 17, 2023
Despite this setback, the main event pressed on, reaching a climactic conclusion. Tariq Osaro emerged victorious in the fifth round, securing the interim GLORY heavyweight title. His triumph overshadowed the unfortunate incident involving the referee, allowing the event to end on a high note.
GLORY Collision 5 will be remembered for its gripping moments and the thrill it brought to fight enthusiasts worldwide. However, it also serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by both fighters and officials, highlighting the need for constant vigilance in the world of combat sports.
