Marshall Zelaznik, is to lead the global growth of international combat sports brand Glory, the world's leading kickboxing organisation.

Glory announced the appointment of Zelaznik as Chief Executive Officer on Tuesday, and he will lead the company’s global operations.

Zelaznik is known to British fight fans as the key figure who opened the first UFC office in the UK and created a raft of events in the burgeoning sport of mixed martial arts in Britain.

He pioneered MMA in the UK for more than 5 years, developing names such as Michael Bisping and Dan Hardy, bringing some of the biggest stars from the sport across the Atlantic, and expanding events and television deals across Europe.

At a time when combat sports are booming worldwide, Zelaznik begins a new challenge and another pioneering project with Glory Sports International (GSI), the parent company of Glory.