Rico Verhoeven and UFC commentator Joe Rogan talk Oleksandr Usyk boxing match controversy, potential rematch
Kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven and Joe Rogan have reignited calls for a boxing rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Verhoeven.
Rico Verhoeven captivated fight fans with what many have called one of the greatest performances ever by a professional fighter crossing over to a different combat sport.
Verhoeven seemingly pushed boxing great Oleksandr Usyk to his limits inside the squared circle in their heavyweight boxing matchup near the Giza Pyramids in Egypt on May 23.
Nevertheless, the fight ended in a controversial 11th-round TKO victory for Usyk. Well, Verhoeven and many others have since been lobbying for his rematch against the Ukrainian pugilist.
Speaking of which, veteran UFC color commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan -- who was also firmly in support of Verhoeven after the fight -- has now renewed calls for the Usyk-Verhoeven rematch. Verhoeven, too, has echoed similar sentiments as Rogan.
The debacle that marred the thrilling heavyweight championship fight between Rico Verhoeven and Oleksandr Usyk
Rico Verhoeven faced some of the very best kickboxers in the world, prominently reigning as the Glory Kickboxing heavyweight champion for several years. He last competed in a kickboxing match under the Glory banner in 2025, outpointing ex-Glory light heavyweight titlist Artem Vakhitov to defend the heavyweight belt, which he later vacated.
The legendary Dutch fighter, who long dominated as the consensus best heavyweight in the sport of kickboxing, sent shockwaves across the combat sports realm by signing up to fight the consensus lineal heavyweight champion of boxing, Oleksandr Usyk.
A former undisputed champion at cruiserweight and at heavyweight as well, Usyk was the unified heavyweight titlist back when they clashed in May. However, per the terms which boxing's top sanctioning bodies handed down for Usyk and Verhoeven to compete, the Dutchman was only eligible to win Usyk's WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles.
Verhoeven, much to most people's surprise, looked as though he was craftily outpointing the experienced undefeated boxer despite having partaken in just one pro boxing bout prior to that. Regardless, two judges had the match a tie at 95-95, while one scored it 96-94 for Verhoeven, heading into the 11th round
The thrilling fight witnessed another twist in the tale, as Usyk landed an uppercut that knocked his foe down. Verhoeven beat the count but was faced with a barrage of punches. Referee Mark Lyson stepped in to wave the fight off, thereby handing Usyk the TKO win in round 11.
Pandemonium ensued among fans and experts, many of whom lambasted the judges, claiming the allegedly corrupt boxing system was keen on robbing Verhoeven on the scorecards. Also, some cast aspersions on the referee's actions, accusing him of executing an early stoppage to ensure that Usyk wins and the boxing 'outsider' in Verhoeven doesn't.
Rico Verhoeven and Joe Rogan revitalize the rematch discussions between the Dutch combat sports icon and Oleksandr Usyk
In episode No. 183 of the JRE MMA Show, on the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast, a few hours ago, Joe Rogan and Rico Verhoeven discussed a myriad of topics.
They notably appeared to reignite the campaigning for a boxing rematch between Usyk and the "King of Kickboxing."
Verhoeven stated, "I would like the rematch because it makes sense. There's a story within this rematch."
Rogan chimed in and alluded to the magnitude of the possible rematch between Verhoeven and Usyk. The MMA personality and podcast mogul said, "It's huge."
Additionally, Verhoeven continued, "And it's something that -- it is unfinished business."
The former Glory Kickboxing heavyweight kingpin indicated that he's in the latter phase of his athletic career, adding that he's primarily seeking big fights at this point of his life. The 37-year-old implied that the Usyk rematch is one such meaningful matchup that intrigues him.
It's noteworthy that Oleksandr Usyk subsequently vacated his boxing heavyweight titles, albeit choosing to keep his Ring Magazine belt.
The 39-year-old recently announced that his next fight would be his retirement match, possibly against former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder or UFC great Jon "Bones" Jones (the latter of whom has turned down the boxing offer and proposed an MMA fight).
Meanwhile, Rico Verhoeven, too, hasn't competed since, but many believe that his extraordinary showing against Usyk would likely earn him fights against other elite heavyweight boxers.
Intriguingly, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh -- who's credited for having made the Usyk-Verhoeven fight possible in the first place -- also asserted that he'd like to see a rematch between them. That said, the belief is that Usyk is unlikely to face Verhoeven in a rematch and would probably choose another opponent for his imminent retirement match.
Watch Rico Verhoeven and Joe Rogan discuss the legendary striker's controversial first fight against Oleksandr Usyk and more below (*comments at the 8:53-minute mark of the video):
