Two WKN championship belts were up for grabs on Saturday, June 25 in Liege at the annual “La Nuit Des Gladiateurs”. The event marked a return of the World Championship to Belgium featuring some of the best representatives of the country-host up against international opponents in the five-round Muay Thai battles.
In one of the title clashes Belgian star Madani Rahmani knocked out Georgia’s Nika Nozadze in the first round. With the victory he claimed the vacant WKN super light heavyweight title and became a new champion in the division.
Earlier in his career Rahmani held the Intercontinental belt earned by unanimous decision against Latvia’s Jurij Orlov at the previous edition of “La Nuit Des Gladiateurs” in Soumagne.
In another championship quest Moroccan-Belgian Youssef Boughanem stopped Spain’s Toni Romero in Round 3. With the win he made the first successful defense of his prestigious WKN super welterweight title.
Famed fighter Boughanem landed the vacant belt by TKO in the fourth round against UK’s Joe Craven in April 2019 in Brussels.
“‘La Nuit Des Gladiateurs’ in Liege was a real success,” said President of World Kickboxing Network, Stephane Cabrera.” “Congratulations to the world champions, Madani Rahmani and Youssef Boughanem, and the promoters for organizing an outstanding event.”
“For Madani Rahmani winning the WKN Gold is the greatest achievement after years spent in the ring. For Youssef Boughanem it is a confirmation that he is one of the very best super welterweights in the World.”
“I would like to personally acknowledge Nika Nozadze, who accepted the challenge at the last minute, replacing the Spanish contender, who was forced to withdraw due to Covid.”
“We look forward to return to Belgium in November with a series of WKN championship bouts at “La Nuit Des Titans” in Farciennes.”
The rest of “La Nuit Des Gladiateurs” fight card saw a series of local and international matchups. The championship supervisor was Osman Yigin.
BOUGHANEM & RAHMANI #SIMPLYTHEBEST AT “LA NUIT DES GLADIATEURS” IN LIEGE П‡§ÐŸ‡ª
YOUSSEF BOUGHANEM MAKES SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF HIS WKN SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST TONI ROMERO. MADANI RAHMANI DEFEATS NIKA NOZADZE TO LAND WKN SUPER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BELT. PIC.TWITTER.COM/FD9LJJQMUJ— World Kickboxing Network (@WKNkickboxing) June 26, 2022
WKN super light heavyweight Muay Thai title
Madani Rahmani def. Nika Nozadze by KO (R1) – wins vacant title
WKN super welterweight Muay Thai title
Youssef Boughanem def. Toni Romero by KO (R3) – retains title