GLORY Kickboxing Star Gokhan Saki Signs With the UFC

Despite the visible transformation and maturity of MMA since the UFC's inception in 1993, there is still something unexplainably exciting at the thought of a talented striker making the transition from boxing or kickboxing to compete under MMA rules.

Today, the UFC and Glory Kickboxing star Gokhan "The Rebel" Saki announced his signing of a multi-fight contract with the promotion—signalling a definitive break from his time fighting in the ring following an extended hiatus which hasn't seen him fight for Glory since 2014. Saki's last Glory bout was at the Glory Light Heavyweight World Championship Tournament against Tyrone Spong—a contest infamous for the horrific fractured leg suffered by Spong within the first few minutes of the fight. Saki was crowned the inaugural Glory light heavyweight champion as a result, before being relieved of his title without having made a title defence for inactivity.

While no opponent has been announced for his debut, Saki said he was keen to compete in the UFC's upcoming Fight Night event in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, later in September.

Standing at just six feet tall, Saki made his name as an undersized heavyweight who had ferocious power and speed in his strikes—leading him to be dubbed the "Turkish Tyson." in addition to his moniker as The Rebel. In 15 years of professional kickboxing, Saki scrapped with the likes of Badr Hari, Remy Bojansky, Melvin Manhoef, Semmy Schilt, Rico Verhoeven, Alistair Overeem, Daniel Ghita, and Ray Sefo in addition to Spong. At 33-years-old, Saki has a kickboxing record of 83-12-1 with 59 wins by knockout, as well as earning European and world Muay Thai championships along with his K-1 and Glory accolades. Saki has already competed under MMA rules once, losing out to UFC veteran James Zikic back in 2004.

In the last few days, Saki had upped his social media activity—speaking out against Glory for its "politics" and how he was sick of waiting to fight long-term rival Verhoeven. The shirt reveal displayed in Saki's announcement was poignant, given his deteriorating relationship with the kickboxing promotion. "I stopped my contract at Glory Kickboxing and have signed my retirement contract," Saki told his Facebook followers. "I'm stopping with Glory.

"After 5 months being kept on a line, for me it was done. I had a lot of other deals, but I kept waiting to fight Rico [Verhoeven] or for Glory. The waiting is over, tired of it. Glory Kickboxing is playing politics to keep their 'champion' Rico Verhoeven safe for his renewal contract that had to take place end May or begin June. If he would lose against me, his position towards Glory would have been weakened. Rico Verhoeven and his team and also Glory did not want to expose their Champ to such risks."

It's unclear how Saki will fare in the Octagon, but Saki certainly seems confident in his abilities. "I'm glad I finally can announce that I have signed an exclusive long term contract with the UFC," Saki posted to Facebook. "The best investment the UFC has made since Conor McGregor."
With his fan friendly style, the Dutch-born Turkish fighter will provide some much-needed intrigue to a light heavyweight division suffering from a shallow talent pool—win or lose.