Kickboxing Legend Jamal Ben Saddik Sentenced To Four Years In Prison

Jamal Ben Saddik’s career has taken another severe hit as an Antwerp court has now sentenced the heavyweight kickboxer to four years in prison for his role in the kidnapping of a dockworker. The ruling comes after months of legal turbulence surrounding the Belgian-Moroccan fighter, whose name has been repeatedly tied to criminal investigations over the past two years.

The court determined that Ben Saddik acted as the leader of the kidnapping operation, making him the most heavily punished among all defendants involved in the case. The incident took place last summer and has since been a major point of discussion in Belgian news and the combat sports world.

What Happened In The Kidnapping Case?

According to the court findings, a dockworker was kidnapped off the street and forced into a vehicle at gunpoint. The goal was to pressure him into assisting with the movement of a cocaine shipment through the port. The victim refused and was later released only after his sister contacted the police. His home was reportedly searched and ransacked during the ordeal, further escalating the seriousness of the charges.

Investigators concluded that the operation was organised, deliberate and connected to drug-trafficking activity. Because of this, and because the court believed Ben Saddik held a leading role, he received the highest sentence among the group.

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This new conviction follows other legal troubles. In 2024 he had already been sentenced to 40 months in prison and fined for money-laundering and fraud, and he also served a doping suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. With this latest ruling, the chances of him returning to top-level kickboxing appear extremely slim.

Ben Saddik’s Response To The Verdict

Ben Saddik has strongly denied the accusations. Through his spokesperson, he stated that the entire conviction was based on “a single statement without any supporting evidence.” He insisted that he is innocent and claimed the court is creating an image of him that does not reflect who he truly is. His team has already filed an appeal, arguing that the evidence presented does not justify the sentence or the label of him being the leader of the kidnapping.

For now, however, the conviction stands. Any appeal process could take months, leaving his career and public reputation in a deeper state of uncertainty.

What This Means For His Career

Once considered one of the most dangerous heavyweights in kickboxing, Ben Saddik’s legacy has rapidly deteriorated. The combination of criminal cases, a doping ban and now a four-year prison sentence overshadows everything he accomplished in the ring. Even if an appeal later reduces or overturns the verdict, the damage to his public image and professional future is undeniable.

The latest ruling highlights how quickly a sporting career can collapse when legal issues overpower athletic achievements. For fans and for the sport itself, the case stands as one of the most dramatic downfalls in recent kickboxing history.