‘Cookie’ Kevin Tariq Osaro to be The Baddest Man on the planet and in space

While other fighters are drawing up plans in their notebook, ‘Cookie’ Kevin Tariq Osaro is preparing for action.

The Nigerian-Dutch fighter rose to the top of the heavyweight kickboxing world with a series of incredible knockouts, and not once did he ever plan ahead. For Tariq Osaro, instinct outweighs strategy.

While others rely on game plans, he trusts his reflexes and raw power

• Read next | How to watch GLORY 99 on DAZN

​GLORY

Game Plan?

The 29-year-old Tariq Osaro has faced the top level of heavyweight fighters from the division king Rico Verhoeven to the perpetually dangerous Antonio Plazibat. The 6’6” athlete steps into the ring each time, ready for war but with no plan. 

This attitude has, shockingly, worked for the Nigerian-Dutch striker. In 2023, he earned interim gold in GLORY by knocking out three consecutive opponents.

Cookie told me that he was in prime shape that year but has worked his way back into pristine condition. “I was in an amazing state of mind,” he said. “Also in great shape. But I think I'm back again on the same level with a little bit more adjustments.” 

In the opening round of GLORY’s Last Heavyweight Standing Tournament, Tariq Osaro is set to face the Romanian veteran Benjamin Adegbuyi.

On what he plans on doing in the ring, Cookie kept it simple, “Game plan? To be honest, I don’t do game plans. What I can say is this - watch on Saturday. Don’t blink, don’t get up from your chair. Watch every move I make. Benny’s not gonna survive in the ring with me.”

GLORY 99

The action kicks off at GLORY 99 on April 5 with a record-setting 32-man tournament. A historic feat never before seen in combat sports. 32 talented heavyweights will step into the GLORY ring but only one will become the champion.

This tournament is spread over five events in 2025. 

“Once you win this tournament, you're the baddest man on the planet—maybe not just on Earth, but in space too." ‘Cookie’ explained, “This is the kind of victory that cements your legacy for decades.  It's crazy. It's really crazy to be part of something this huge.”

Football to Kickboxing

Like many kids in the Netherlands, Osaro dreamed of a football career. But fate had other plans. A fateful injury changed his course in life. Instead of kicking a ball on the field, he started kicking opponents in the ring.

“I played at a high level, but then I got injured—twice. Came back, and got injured again.

I was young back then,” the Nigerian-Dutch athlete continued. “I figured kickboxing would help me lose weight so I could get back on the field. But instead of kicking ass on the field, I started kicking ass in the ring, and I loved it. So I stuck with kickboxing.”

Coming off of a victory at the end of 2024, ‘Cookie’ is looking to add more W’s to his record as he faces Adegbuyi to move forward in the biggest tournament in kickboxing history.

Now, he’s ready to put on a show for fans around the world at GLORY 99. “Kickboxing is the best combat sport on the planet. Expect fireworks.”

How to watch GLORY 99?

GLORY 99 will stream live on DAZN as a Pay-Per-View across the globe, except for the Netherlands where it will be free-to-air.

The price will be  £14.99  in the United Kingdon; $14.00 in the US and worldwide (or equivalent price).  Click here  for price in your country.

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