Rico Verhoeven lifts the veil on his free agency and the UFC's offer, sparking curiosity and debate among combat sports fans. But did the UFC's bid really fall short?
On March 3, 2026, Verhoeven shed light on his recent career decisions, including his talks with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Despite the UFC's interest, he chose a WBC heavyweight boxing bout against the formidable Oleksandr Usyk over a UFC debut against Derrick Lewis.
The offer from the UFC, according to Verhoeven, was 'decent' but didn't quite match the allure of a crossover fight with Anthony Joshua. He hinted at a substantial paycheck for the Joshua bout, a factor that likely influenced his choice. And here's where it gets intriguing: Verhoeven suggests that the UFC's offer was more competitive than some might assume.
Verhoeven refuted rumors that the UFC disrespected him with a lowball offer, stating, 'They treated me with a lot of respect and gave me a really decent offer.' This revelation challenges the narrative that the UFC undervalued his kickboxing prowess. However, he felt that the offer didn't align with his standing in the martial arts world and his earnings in GLORY kickboxing.
With a 1-0 professional boxing record, Verhoeven steps into the ring against the undefeated Usyk (24-0). The highly anticipated bout will take place on May 23 at the iconic Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. Verhoeven's reputation as one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers adds even more weight to this contest.
And this is the part most people miss: Could the UFC have done more to secure Verhoeven's signature? Was the allure of a crossover fight with Joshua simply too great? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's spark a lively discussion on this fascinating topic!
