Team Golden Glory head coach Martijn De Jong was first to break the news on the release of all defeated fighters from his camp - Marloes Coenen, Valentijn Overeem and Jon Olav Einemo. In an exclusive interview with MMAJunkie.com, De Jong shared his thoughts about what could be a devastating blow for European MMA:
"This is a big blow for us. Of course, for us, it's really bad. I'm very disappointed. What can I say?
Of course they can cut them because they lost, but do you cut Alistair Overeem, who was very eager to fight in the (Strikeforce heavyweight) grand prix, and who got major injuries? Einemo just received a 'Fight of the Night' bonus in his last UFC appearance. Coenen ... two times (has) been the Strikeforce champion. And before Miesha beat her, I think they were even (on the scorecards) or [favoring] Marloes.
The only thing I can say is I feel disappointed for the fighters, and now we have to go back and see what we're going to do (and) where we're going to go. For me, I hope the management can still work something out with Zuffa. I think Alistair needs to fight the best fighters in the world, and I think right now there's only two people ranked above him: Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. Alistair only wants to be the best. It's a pity." - For full interview, please visit MMAJunkie.com.
Team Golden Glory is widely considered as one of the best, if not the best, training camps on the planet. It's a fighting home for a vast majority of Europe's elite Kickboxers and Mixed Martial Artists, and also their ticket to big the big stages in United States and Canada. The only Team Golden Glory fighter currently remaining under ZUFFA contract is Sergei Kharitonov, who will face Josh Barnett in the semi-final of Strikeforce Heavyweight GP on September 10th at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Meanwhile, MMA reporter Loretta Hunt suggests that Golden Glory's "United Glory World Series" event is the main reason behind the cut. Untied Glory is expected to celebrate its 15th event in October, with Alistair Overeem and Sergei Kharitonov as participants, and according to Hunt, are eying an expansion to the US/Canda market.
Stay tuned to LowKick.com for more.
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