Best Friends, Fiercest Rivals: Nico Horta’s Unlikely Showdown with Colin George at GLORY 100

Horta is a towering figure at 6’6” and 280 lbs, but is dwarfed by the 6’9” and 295 lbs Surinamese George. But that isn’t the main challenge he’ll need to overcome. Starting at GLORY 99, the tournament kicked off with a record-breaking 32 men. The winners needed to draw a random number for their next opponent. Horta said it better not be George right before George’s number was drawn.

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The Dutch-Cape Verdean “Big Sexy” tried to protest, explaining that they’ve been lifelong training partners and close friends. They even danced with each other in the parking lot after the bout. But now they have to fight. So, how does one go on to fight a best friend? Speaking to DAZN News , Horta explained:

“It’s not easy, you just have to flip the switch because of the bond we have. It’s much more serious now. We’ve grown exponentially together. That makes it different. Who’s going to win the fight after such a short time? But I took it more seriously and put everything I have into this. I’m doing everything in my power to win.”GLORY’s Last Heavyweight Standing tournament lit a fire under Horta. It’s pushed him to train with a new passion he didn’t have before. He continued:

“I’ve been preparing since January, every single day. I trained in strength and conditioning, technique, everything. I’ve grown exponentially, and you can see it in my confidence. I’m ready to fight once, twice, even three times by the end of the year if needed. I feel like I’m just entering my prime, but I’ve never prepared as seriously as I have now.”

To open the tournament, he knocked out Rade Opačić with a stunning punch that left his opponent slumped in the corner. But what’s most frightening about “Big Sexy” is that he feels he is only just now entering his prime.

“This is the best shape I’ve ever been in. I have the most powerful conditioning I’ve ever had. Even though I started preparing in January, I’m still improving now. Every year, there’s so much more to look forward to, and I feel like I’m only just getting started.”

At GLORY 100, “Big Sexy” will be aiming for another statement win. But he will need to do it twice in one night just to proceed to the next round of the tournament. Sixteen fighters remain, but after June 14, merely four will be left standing. This is a tournament featuring 16 top-ranked heavyweight all looking to punch their tickets for the finals, with punches and kicks, that will go down later this year.

Conditioning and power will not be an issue for Horta. And from the sounds of things, facing a close friend is a hurdle that he can overcome.

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