Tarik Khbabez: “I respect Bahram but he is not my biggest challenge!”

Wrestling

Year2025

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Former GLORY Light Heavyweight Champion Tarik Khbabez is deep in preparation in Phuket for his fight against Bahram Rajabzadeh (The Golden Wolf) on October 11, where the vacant Light Heavyweight title will be on the line. In this exclusive interview, Tarik opens up about his career, mindset, and upcoming clash: - His reaction to Sergej Maslobojev being caught for doping, after their title fight where Tarik was defending his belt. - Why competing for years as a smaller heavyweight against giants shaped his toughness and mentality - His respect for Bahram Rajabzadeh as a dangerous opponent — but why he does not see him as the biggest challenge of his career. - How he handles the toughest moments in the sport: injuries, hospital visits, and especially the pain of defeat. - The growth he showed in his third fight with Donegi Abena, and why that performance marked a turning point in his development as a fighter. - His training camp in Thailand, preparation for October 11, and why he enjoys fighting with small gloves. - His thoughts on boxing (a sport he likes), and why MMA is not for him, even though he respects it. - The importance of family, structure, and discipline in his career — and why he ignores outside opinions, critics, and comments to focus only on what truly matters. - His love for competing, and his belief that he still has many years left at the top before thinking about life after kickboxing. This is Tarik Khbabez at his most honest: speaking about respect, resilience, and the mentality required to battle the best in the world.