WFL Utrecht shines with ambitious young talents: Mahumud wins the four-man tournament and Nouri de Jager takes the main event

Utrecht – 20 September 2026

On 20 September, WFL Utrecht hosted an evening where the intensity was palpable right from the very first bout. At the Gietijzer, visitors were treated to a varied fight card featuring N, C, B and A-class bouts, complemented by a spectacular four-man tournament and a main event in which Nouri de Jager rounded off his evening in style.

What stood out in particular was the hunger shown by the fighters from the various classes. The N and C classes were by no means overshadowed by the more experienced participants. On the contrary: several bouts were fought at such a high tempo and with such conviction that the difference in class was barely noticeable from the sidelines. The young and less experienced fighters didn’t just come to get some fighting time under their belts, but clearly to make their mark.

Petrus Zagatiti

Mahumud clinches victory in the four-man tournament

One of the absolute highlights of WFL Utrecht was the four-man tournament. The format added extra excitement, as a fighter who secured an initial victory had to be ready to step back into the ring later that evening.

Mahumud ultimately claimed victory in the four-man tournament. His path to the title made the tournament one of the events the audience watched with great interest. In a format where fitness, recovery, tactics and mental resilience all play a part, he managed to showcase his qualities at just the right moment.

The four-man tournament was therefore not merely an addition to the fight card, but one of the elements that gave this edition of the WFL its own distinctive character.

Mahumud Karoo Giahi

Nouri de Jager wins the main event

Nouri de Jager also enjoyed a successful evening. In the main event, he managed to win his bout, bringing the programme to a strong close. The main event was the finale of an evening in which both experienced fighters and new talent were given the chance to prove themselves to the audience.

Nouri de Jager

The N and C divisions made a remarkably strong impression

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this edition was that it wasn’t just the big names or the higher classes that provided the spectacle. The fighting spirit was particularly fierce in the N and C classes. Players fought hard to gain ground, combinations were executed with conviction, and no one seemed content merely to see the game through to the end.

At various points, these bouts were virtually indistinguishable in intensity from fights in a higher class. This says not only something about the fighters’ attitude, but also about the way the bouts were organised.

Matchmaking ensures exciting bouts

Matchmaking played a key role in this. Many opponents were closely matched in ability, meaning that every round was a genuine battle. There were no bouts in which one fighter could easily dominate, but rather matches in which both sides were forced to keep working hard and find solutions.

This message Mahumud wins four-man tournament, Nouri de Jager triumphs in the main event was first published on KnockOutNieuws.

WFL – War for the Crown

WAR FOR THE CROWN: on 3 October, the Lotto Arena will become the battleground for the heavyweights

ANTWERP – Forget an ordinary fight night. On 3 October 2026, the Lotto Arena will host an evening where a single moment, a single punch and a single mistake could be enough to shatter a dream. With War for the Crown, WFL brings a heavyweight spectacle to Antwerp in which only one thing matters: survival and getting closer to the crown.

Sixteen heavyweights. One journey. One crown.

WAR FOR THE CROWN

WAR FOR THE CROWN

That is the essence of War for the Crown.

With this concept, WFL isn’t simply organising a series of matches, but is building a contest in which reputation is no guarantee, strength alone is not enough, and every opponent poses a threat. On 3 October, a new phase of that quest begins in Antwerp.

Names such as Jahfarr Wilnis, Ivan Efimov, Malong Konta, Dexter Suisse, Massinissa Hamail, Jeremy Mercera, André Schmeling, Mikolaj Dyc, Claudio Istrate, Bruno Chavez, Vasile Amaritei, Naim Hebbar, Hamza Ourahou, Ouail Ibn Youssef and Fares Bainine bring together exactly what heavyweight fans come for: stature, explosiveness and the knowledge that a fight is never truly safe.

WAR FOR THE CROWN

WAR FOR THE CROWN

No room for recovery

In a normal match, a fighter can sometimes take their time to get into their stride. Here, things are different.

Anyone competing in a tournament for the crown knows that every round counts. A hard low kick can have consequences later on. A heavy right-hander can change everything. A moment’s hesitation can mean the difference between carrying on and being eliminated.

That’s what makes War for the Crown so dangerous.

Not just for the fighters.

But for any prediction, too.

Because in the heavyweight division, there are no certainties.

The favourite could be knocked out.

The underdog might rise to the occasion.

And one name that’s barely mentioned beforehand might suddenly be on everyone’s lips by the end of the evening.

WAR FOR THE CROWN

WAR FOR THE CROWN

The Lotto Arena won’t have the usual atmosphere

Antwerp has seen some epic battles, but this event brings something different to the table.

A tournament creates excitement even before the first bell rings. Every result changes the narrative. Every winner moves closer to the crown. Every loser sees their journey come to an abrupt end.

That is what the fans at the Lotto Arena are set to experience.

Not just during the matches, but also in between them.

Who will come out on top?

Who will keep a cool head?

Who can cope with the pressure when thousands of eyes are on them?

And above all:

who really dares to believe that the crown is meant for him?

WAR FOR THE CROWN

WAR FOR THE CROWN

Experience versus hunger

The field of competitors includes experienced names, but also heavyweights who are keen to seize their chance on this very stage.

For the established riders, there is a lot at stake. They are expected to deliver.

For the challengers, something different lies in store.

An opportunity.

A victory at the right moment can fast-track a career. A dominant performance can suddenly transform a relatively unknown name into a figure no one can ignore.

That is the beauty of a tournament.

You don’t get a crown handed to you on a plate.

You have to fight for it.

WAR FOR THE CROWN

WAR FOR THE CROWN

Here’s why you’ll want to be there

Some events are the sort you look back on.

Others are the sort you want to have experienced.

War for the Crown has everything it takes to be just such an evening.

A packed arena. International heavyweights. A knockout that could come out of nowhere. A favourite under pressure. An underdog who refuses to step aside.

And hanging over it all is that one question:

who will ultimately come closest to the crown?

On 3 October 2026, the answer will begin to unfold at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp.

Not with words.

Not with predictions.

But with fists.

WAR FOR THE CROWN

WAR FOR THE CROWN

WAR FOR THE CROWN

Sixteen heavyweights. One mission. No second chances.

Knockout News is there. Are you?

This message ONE CROWN, SIXTEEN HEAVYWEIGHTS: WAR BREAKS OUT AT THE LOTTO ARENA ON 3 OCTOBER was first published on KnockOutNieuws.

Knockoutnieuws.be therefore likes to look beyond what happens in the ring. Who brings the fighters together? Who has the network, the overview and the experience to put together match-ups that can captivate the audience from start to finish?

At WFL Utrecht, the tension and spectacle of the bouts were particularly striking. Fighters who gave their all, gave each other little room to manoeuvre and fought for their place and future within the sport. That made us curious about the person behind this matchmaking.

WFL Utrecht

That’s how we came across Patrick Beukema.

Patrick has been active in the world of combat sports for a long time and has experienced and attended many events over the years. As a result, he has not only built up a wealth of experience, but also a wide network of fighters, trainers, gyms, promoters and organisations.

Matchmaking is much more than simply pairing two names against each other. A good matchmaker looks at ability, weight, experience, style, development and, above all, whether a bout can be sportingy interesting and appealing to the public.

It is precisely this overview and knowledge that make someone behind the scenes so valuable.

Chris Baya wins title

But who is Patrick Beukema really, beyond his role as a matchmaker? How did he end up in the world of combat sports? How extensive is his network? What has he experienced over the years? What does he look for when he pairs two fighters against each other? And what role does he still want to play within the sport in the future?

These are precisely the questions that Knockoutnieuws.be intends to explore in more depth shortly.

In an in-depth interview, we’ll get to know Patrick better and try to get to the bottom of everything: not just Patrick Beukema the matchmaker, but above all Patrick Beukema the man behind the scenes of combat sports.

Because sometimes the spectacle in the ring begins long before the first bell has rung.

This message “Patrick Beukema: the man behind the spectacle – Knockoutnieuws sets out to uncover the story behind the matchmaker.” was first published on KnockOutNieuws.

A big name is returning to the ring. Jamal ‘The Goliath’ Ben Saddik is leaving his time at GLORY behind and taking on a new challenge with the World Fighting League (WFL).

On Saturday 3 October 2026, Ben Saddik will make his appearance at WFL: War for the Crown, at a special venue: the Lotto Arena in Antwerp. WFL has now officially announced its return to Antwerp.

Jamal Ben Saddik

For Ben Saddik, this marks the start of a new chapter in his impressive career. The heavyweight fought at the highest level for many years and made a name for himself at GLORY. With his height of 2.05 metres and immense punching power, he became one of the best-known heavyweights in international kickboxing.

Now, ‘The Goliath’ is setting his sights on WFL K-1. The fact that he is returning to Antwerp makes the evening all the more special. For Belgian martial arts fans, 3 October is therefore a date to mark in red on the calendar.

Saturday 3 October 2026

Lotto Arena – Antwerp
WFL K-1: War for the Crown
Jamal ‘The Goliath’ Ben Saddik

A new organisation, a new chapter and, once again, a major stage. Jamal Ben Saddik is ready to show Antwerp once more why he goes by the nickname ‘The Goliath’.

This message Jamal Ben Saddik brings his GLORY chapter to a close: ‘The Goliath’ returns to Antwerp on 3 October for WFL K-1 was first published on KnockOutNieuws.