Kickboxing
Miguel Trindade’s quest to becoming a Hall-of-Famer starts at GLORY 100
Watch GLORY 100 live tonight on DAZN
Portugal’s Miguel Trindade carries incredible power in his hands. The 24-year-old kickboxer will enter his GLORY 100 title fight with an incredible knockout win rate of over seventy per cent. Whether he’s attacking the head or body, it does not matter; he puts athletes down.
Dozens of fighters have fallen to his fists of fury, except one man: Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9, the GLORY featherweight world champion. Tonight however, Trindade is looking to change that.
In 2024, two kickboxing organizations came together to put on a one-night featherweight tournament featuring the best of both, where the winner would need to defeat three different opponents consecutively. Trindade knocked out former RISE Champions Kento Haraguchi and Chadd Collins quickly. Then, in the final match, he faced the Muay Thai specialist and GLORY champion Petch.
Petch is a frustrating fighter to be matched against. At range, he has dangerous kicks, mid-range lethal punches, and up close, he is an expert in the clinch. Ultimately, Trindade fought to the final bell and lost to Petch on the scorecards.
Now, at tonight’s GLORY 100 event, with the featherweight crown on the line, Trindade is coming for revenge.
The Portuguese athlete has a healthy fear of the judges’ scorecards in fights; he just doesn’t quite trust them which is why he fights with knockout fury.
“Honestly, I have some trust issues in the ring. If I’m not sure I can put someone to sleep, I give everything I have and try to leave no doubt. That’s just how I fight,” said Trindade in an exclusive interview with DAZN News.
Petch is one of the all-time greats in kickboxing history and is currently atop pound-for-pound standings, with an impressive eight title defences. Crowning himself the featherweight king will make a lifetime of sacrifice well worth it.
“In my head, it’s already happened - it’s reality. There’s no other way. I’ve prepared for this fight like it’s going to be the toughest 15 minutes of my career. I can’t wait.”
Trindade is not shy about his goals. He’s not looking to be just another fighter; he’s aiming for greatness and knows that history is watching.
“It’s huge. From the beginning, I talked about coming here, and I said I wanted to be the champ. I want to be a legend, a hall-of-famer. That’s the future goal," he continued.
“For now, it’s about being the champ, but in ten years, I want my name to be mentioned alongside legends like Alex Pereira. I want to be the guy people think of when they think of kickboxing.”
Once he has captured GLORY gold, he wants to extend the ladder to others. Helping elevate athletes in his home of Portugal.
“I hope I can be an example and open doors for others. I remember being just another kid watching matches on TV, seeing Portuguese fighters at my house when I was 16. Now, I’m sharing the main event card with them. If I can do it, I know others can too.”
