Jamal Ben Saddik

Career

Ben Saddik made his It's Showtime debut on 6 March 2011 at Fightingstars presents: It's Showtime Sporthallen Zuid, knocking out Rico Verhoeven. A scheduled bout with Anderson Silva at Fightclub presents: It's Showtime 2011 on 21 May 2011 was cancelled when Silva was moved to face Daniel Ghiță. He TKO'd Vitaly Oparin in round one at United Glory 15 on 23 March 2012 and followed with a fourth-round KO of Nikolaj Falin on 2 June 2012. After a decision loss to Jahfarr Wilnis at Glory 2: Brussels on 6 October 2012, he entered the Glory 4: Tokyo 2012 Heavyweight Grand Slam on 31 December 2012.

There he upset world No. 4 Errol Zimmerman by decision, beat Remy Bonjasky on points, and lost to Daniel Ghiță via body kick in the semifinals. At Glory 8: Tokyo on 3 May 2013, he floored Peter Aerts in round one but was dropped three times in the second and stopped. He was knocked out late in round three by Ben Edwards at Glory 12: New York on 23 November 2013. A fight with Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory 14: Zagreb on 8 March 2014 fell through due to a broken hand.

He knocked out Nicolas Wamba in round two at Glory 16: Denver on 3 May 2014. On 29 June 2014 at Qabala Fight Series #1, he was disqualified for attacking a downed Hesdy Gerges seconds into the bout, resulting in a six-month suspension from Glory. He rebounded with a first-round KO of Mamoudou Keta at Glory 22, then defeated Anderson Silva by third-round TKO. On 7 August 2015, it was announced he failed a drug test prior to Glory 23: Las Vegas; the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended him until 8 August 2016 and fined him $6,650, and his win over Silva was changed to a no contest.

After decision wins over Ismael Londt and Guto Inocente, he challenged Rico Verhoeven for the Glory Heavyweight title at Glory 49 and lost by TKO. He was fined for spitting in Verhoeven's face at a prefight press conference. On 8 December 2018 at Glory 62: Rotterdam, he won the Glory Heavyweight Contender tournament by knocking out Benjamin Adegbuyi in the first round of the final, after beating Junior Tafa and Guto Inocente. He signed a new long-term contract with Glory in January 2020.

A rubber match with Verhoeven was announced for October 2020 but Ben Saddik withdrew 11 days before Glory 77 due to a back injury. He was scheduled to face Adegbuyi at Glory: Collision 3 on 23 October 2021 but was moved to fight Verhoeven as a late replacement for Alistair Overeem, losing by fourth-round TKO. A bout with Levi Rigters at Glory 80 on 19 March 2022 was cancelled minutes before starting due to crowd riots. At Glory 81 on 20 August 2022, he knocked out Adegbuyi in the first round.

In January 2023, Glory announced an investigation into a rule violation; on 8 February 2023, it was revealed he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, his win was overturned to a no contest, and he received a 15-month suspension starting 20 August 2022. Glory imposed a six-month suspension on Ben Saddik for his actions at the semifinal match between Rico Verhoeven and Nabil Khachab during the Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix on 9 March 2024, which ran the risk of inciting violence.

He was suspended for 10 months for a positive out-of-competition sample collected on 19 February 2024, testing positive for clomifene and its metabolite. The Anti-Doping Committee reduced the default 12-month sanction because he provided evidence of a valid prescription; his ineligibility began 6 March 2024 and ends 6 January 2025. After two and a half years, he returned at Glory 98 on 22 February 2025, knocking out Uku Jürjendal with a right head kick in the third round.

At Glory 99 on 5 April 2025, he defeated Cristian Ristea by unanimous decision in the opening round of the Heavyweight Last Man Standing Tournament. At Glory 100 on 14 June 2025, he faced Sofian Laidouni in the semifinals; his high kick was blocked by Laidouni's shin, causing a deep cut more than 4 cm long and 3 mm wide on his shin, and the doctor stopped the fight at 1:36, ruling a TKO loss. At Glory 103, he lost to Levi Rigters by TKO in the third round after being dropped by a spinning back kick to the body and counted out.

Personal life

In 2012, Ben Saddik was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which recurred about a year later. He remained cancer-free for roughly a decade until 2024, when he was diagnosed again and underwent surgery. On 10 March 2021, he was arrested in Antwerp during a major operation targeting organised crime; his lawyer stated the arrest was unrelated to cocaine trade. The Mechelen Council Chamber ordered a 30-day jail term on 12 March 2021, and an appeal was filed. On 6 July 2024, he was arrested for ordering the kidnapping and assault of a dockworker in the drug world.

Kickboxing record

Ben Saddik's professional record includes wins over Cristian Ristea by unanimous decision at Glory 99 on 5 April 2025 and Uku Jürjendal by KO at Glory 98 on 22 February 2025. He lost to Levi Rigters by KO via spinning back kick to the body at Glory 103 on 23 August 2025, and to Sofian Laidouni by TKO due to doctor stoppage at Glory 100 on 13 June 2025. His bout with Benjamin Adegbuyi at Glory 81 on 20 August 2022 was originally a KO win but was overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for a prohibited substance.

He lost to Rico Verhoeven by TKO in round four at Glory Collision 3 on 23 October 2021 in a title fight. On 8 December 2018 at Glory 62: Rotterdam, he won the Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix by defeating Junior Tafa by TKO, Guto Inocente by decision, and Benjamin Adegbuyi by KO. Earlier that year he beat D'Angelo Marshall by TKO at Glory 59, lost to Jahfarr Wilnis by decision at Glory 53, and lost to Rico Verhoeven by TKO at Glory 49.