This Friday, Joe “Stitch ‘em Up” Schilling will battle Mike Lemaire in Chicago, as part of GLORY 27—the kickboxing league’s latest blockbuster event. Of course, such a match is the culmination of many weeks of training—every moment spent conditioning one’s body and mind while prepping for a rare moment in the spotlight against a vaunted opponent. Or, in Joe’s case, it’s taken on 16 days’ notice.
Usually at this high level of competition with such high stakes, fighters are given at least 6-8 weeks to build up and cut down to weight, but not Joe. The kickboxing veteran has seen it all and done it all, and there’s no challenge too daunting for him.
Schilling is the #1 ranked kickboxer in the middleweight division, and always close to competitive condition, hence his ability to take a fight on such short notice. “The cards are stacked against me on this one, but I’m game for it. I’m gonna show them that even on two weeks notice these guys aren’t on my level,” says Joe, who’s hitting it hard at his gym in Los Angeles.
Opponent Mike Lemaire is a tough contender based in San Diego, California with just two losses stacked against his 14 wins. He’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain in challenging Joe and his #1 status. Insiders expect a competitive fight that has the extra angle of curiosity surrounding Schilling’s brief prep period. Can he possibly step in with just over two weeks’ notice and defeat a worthy adversary? Tune in this Friday to find out!
GLORY is the world’s premier kickboxing organization putting on the best fights globally. It’s the highest level for kickboxing and it’s coming at you live from Chicago this Friday, February 26th at 7:30 Eastern / 4:30 Pacific, streaming live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS from the Sears Centre Arena.
If you’re in the Chicago area, get your tickets at SearsCentre.com, but if you can’t make it there, catch all the action live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
