Rico Verhoeven closes the door on potential UFC move

Rico Verhoeven joined longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan for a sitdown, during which he addressed the possibility of signing with the UFC. While the ex-GLORY heavyweight kickboxing champion is no stranger to MMA, having a 1-0 record in the sport, he doesn't feel that it's the right move, as his demands haven't been met.

Rico Verhoeven won't be in the UFC any time soon

On episode #138 of the JRE MMA Show, Rico Verhoeven was asked whether there's even a slim chance of him signing with the UFC. After all, he was, at one point, offered a bout with the heavy-handed Derrick Lewis. Unfortunately, the financial terms just weren't right, and Verhoeven doesn't see a world where he settles for something he feels doesn't match his worth (1:28:27):

"I believe that the gap is even bigger now. So, that's where the actual problem is, just to be completely transparent. So, for me it doesn't make any sense to go around the bush. So, if they would wanna do something, it really has to make sense, but yeah, we all know that that's not really how the UFC works, so I don't believe that that is an option."

Rather, he is more interested in pursuing a rematch with the great Oleksandr Usyk. Back in May, he took part in only his second-ever professional boxing match. Despite his ample experience as an all-time great heavyweight kickboxer, 'The Sweet Science' was regarded as too great a challenge for him. Hardly anyone expected him to do well against Usyk, the then undefeated WBC heavyweight champion. Yet, when the ball rang, Verhoeven proved to be a far better boxer than many had anticipated, dragging Usyk to life and death. Then, in round 11, with many believing that Verhoeven was just ahead on the scorecards, Usyk landed a thunderous uppercut to score a much-needed knockdown.

This is how Rico Verhoeven surprised Oleksandr Usyk with tactics that he struggled to read 👀🍿#UsykRico | @ringmagazine | @Nansend3 🤳 pic.twitter.com/VMTbJlZ3A0

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 25, 2026

Verhoeven, however, was quick to stand and beat the referee's count. Nevertheless, Usyk smelled blood in the water and pounced, swarming him in the corner. Although Verhoeven did not go down again, and was moving relatively well, the referee still made the decision to wave the fight off just as the bell rang to signal the end of the round, awarding Usyk a highly controversial TKO win. So, now Verhoeven is aiming for vengeance, but he isn't the only one targeting Usyk.