Rumored GLORY Heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven signs with the UFC, targeted to debut at UFC 324 on January 24

[BoxerMaurits]

A source close to Rico Verhoeven has told me that the former GLORY Heavyweight champion has signed with the UFC and is being lined up for his debut at UFC 324 on January 24.

According to him, Rico was initially offered a fight against Polish heavyweight Marek Bujło, who allegedly declined the fight and was cut from the UFC shortly afterward.

Bujło’s manager has now publicly confirmed his release after turning down a fight offer for UFC 324, which definitely adds fuel to the rumor.
Polish article:

Polak wyrzucony z UFC. Zaskakujące kulisy sprawy

Marek Bujło został wyrzucony z UFC. Przed zerwaniem kontraktu Polak zdążył spędzić w oktagonie zaledwie kwadrans. W sobotni wieczór odbyła się gala UFC Fight Night w Katarze. Wydarzenie otworzyło starcie Marka Bujły z Denzelem Freemanem. Zarówno Polak, jak i Amerykanin debiutowali w federacji...

www.meczyki.pl

No opponent for Rico Verhoeven has been confirmed yet, and nothing has been officially announced by the UFC.

If this ends up being true, who would you match Rico up with in his UFC debut, and who do you think the UFC will actually go with?

Spoiler: Kickfight Crew

@Liverkick-king56

@samuelsoncast

@StonedLemur

@GreenGorilla

@Trabaho

@Tayski

@Platinum

@BFoe

@ChimRichalds

@Eternalwarriorking

@Langinbang187

@drbolony

@cereal gan

@Caicara

@Robbocop

@OldBoy91

@PaddyO'malley

@Blanqa Blanqua

@IronGolem007

@ThereIsNoSpoon

@BroRogan

@CatchtheseHands

@Mohawk Banditó

@Sasha

@Icanseeu

@Ace70 V2

@Paolo Delutis

@FrappeDuRocma

@SalvadorAllende

@Doughie99

@MCDojoMMA

@Pancake Sprawl

@Wormwood

@Sanctus

@Richard Fannin

@KID Yamamoto

@John12

@careto

@Dirty Frank

@UFCIsNOTRigged

@Jean-MMA

@ExitLUPin

@John makfresshi

@ICHEERTHEBULL

@Bobby Boulders

@World eater

@legedema

@TempleoftheDog

@KDR by RNC

@don't ask

@TJ Dillashank

@wwkirk

@MarloStanfield

@TXstriker

@Dr. Rose

@xhaydenx

@Davidjacksonjones

@TCE

@Milenkovic

@jeff7b9

@WoozyFailGuy

@Poirierfan

@Ares Black

@Simple Southerner

@Prince Nephilim

@TorontoTO

@Siver!

@deanambrose

@textwarrior

@Iroh

@Killer Kadoogan

@spinup

@Koala

@Koya

@Trupsi

@amok attitude

@Rum that Chimay-Leffe

@I.Broke.The.Bat!

@Gohel

@frontkick1

@Bubzeh

@Gamer007

@pride_rules

@Thesnake101

@Frode Falch

@Dillydilly

@Substance Abuse

@Doctor Grudge

@helax

@VinceF

@Reb

@HHJ

@Banana Tree's Nemesis

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@stronghulk

@sandokan83

@Number 8

@Pepy

@TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle

@Overeem

@ColombianFist

@dog y

@Prick_Flair

@Marko Polo

@ryun253

@2004 account

@MEAN357

@The_Renaissance

@C0NCH3TO

@FlowchartRog

@cmw43

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@that Indian

@legedema

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@Neck&Neck

@TriangleMonkey

@Buff

@Reach4theSky

@SenorFranko

@Jonny Ninja

@Kovalev's "Man Bag"

@MMALOPEZ

@svmr_db

@Violent Violin

@rorschach51

@BoxingMMA

@Todd498

@Snubnoze707

@Blazeblack

@Kenny Powerth

 

[BoxerMaurits]

To add some extra background context to why Rico Verhoeven parted ways with GLORY Kickboxing and is now looking to fight elsewhere:

Rico Verhoeven was actually in advanced talks with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for a massive Boxing crossover superfight in Saudi Arabia.
Team Verhoeven met Turki, who showed strong interest in putting together a global-level matchup for Rico against a world-famous Boxing name.

Because everything looked so positive, Rico and his manager soon flew to Saudi Arabia to continue developing the fight. This was around the Usyk–Fury II period, and GLORY was supposed to collaborate on the deal.
According to Dutch reports (De Telegraaf), Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season gave GLORY every opportunity to be part of this extremely lucrative event.

But in the end… the deal fell apart.

GLORY took too long to finalize their side of the agreement, communication stalled, and the Saudis simply moved on to a different opponent.
As a result, Rico lost the biggest crossover opportunity of his career. That was the first major breaking point between him and GLORY.

And this ties directly into something Rico had already been promised:
GLORY had agreed to give him the freedom to take crossover fights (Boxing or MMA) while still competing in Kickboxing, but that promise never materialized.
After the Saudi deal collapsed due to delays on GLORY’s end, Rico and his team basically decided it was time to move on.

That’s why he’s a free agent now, able to pursue Boxing or MMA opportunities directly, without anyone slowing negotiations down behind the scenes.

Given everything that happened, it makes perfect sense why Rico is exploring new opportunities. And honestly, with his name, accolades, and fanbase, a Boxing crossover superfight or signing with the UFC is still absolutely possible.
Team Verhoeven is actively exploring those options.

Hope that helps.

 

[BoxerMaurits]

Unreal resume and legacy:

 

[DougieJones]

 

[xhaydenx]

A source close to Rico Verhoeven has told me that the former GLORY Heavyweight champion has signed with the UFC and is being lined up for his debut at UFC 324 on January 24.

According to him, Rico was initially offered a fight against Polish heavyweight Marek Bujło, who allegedly declined the fight and was cut from the UFC shortly afterward.

Bujło’s manager has now publicly confirmed his release after turning down a fight offer for UFC 324, which definitely adds fuel to the rumor.
Polish article:

Polak wyrzucony z UFC. Zaskakujące kulisy sprawy

Marek Bujło został wyrzucony z UFC. Przed zerwaniem kontraktu Polak zdążył spędzić w oktagonie zaledwie kwadrans. W sobotni wieczór odbyła się gala UFC Fight Night w Katarze. Wydarzenie otworzyło starcie Marka Bujły z Denzelem Freemanem. Zarówno Polak, jak i Amerykanin debiutowali w federacji...

www.meczyki.pl

No opponent for Rico Verhoeven has been confirmed yet, and nothing has been officially announced by the UFC.

If this ends up being true, who would you match Rico up with in his UFC debut, and who do you think the UFC will actually go with?

Spoiler: Kickfight Crew

@Liverkick-king56

@samuelsoncast

@StonedLemur

@GreenGorilla

@Trabaho

@Tayski

@Platinum

@BFoe

@ChimRichalds

@Eternalwarriorking

@Langinbang187

@drbolony

@cereal gan

@Caicara

@Robbocop

@OldBoy91

@PaddyO'malley

@Blanqa Blanqua

@IronGolem007

@ThereIsNoSpoon

@BroRogan

@CatchtheseHands

@Mohawk Banditó

@Sasha

@Icanseeu

@Ace70 V2

@Paolo Delutis

@FrappeDuRocma

@SalvadorAllende

@Doughie99

@MCDojoMMA

@Pancake Sprawl

@Wormwood

@Sanctus

@Richard Fannin

@KID Yamamoto

@John12

@careto

@Dirty Frank

@UFCIsNOTRigged

@Jean-MMA

@ExitLUPin

@John makfresshi

@ICHEERTHEBULL

@Bobby Boulders

@World eater

@legedema

@TempleoftheDog

@KDR by RNC

@don't ask

@TJ Dillashank

@wwkirk

@MarloStanfield

@TXstriker

@Dr. Rose

@xhaydenx

@Davidjacksonjones

@TCE

@Milenkovic

@jeff7b9

@WoozyFailGuy

@Poirierfan

@Ares Black

@Simple Southerner

@Prince Nephilim

@TorontoTO

@Siver!

@deanambrose

@textwarrior

@Iroh

@Killer Kadoogan

@spinup

@Koala

@Koya

@Trupsi

@amok attitude

@Rum that Chimay-Leffe

@I.Broke.The.Bat!

@Gohel

@frontkick1

@Bubzeh

@Gamer007

@pride_rules

@Thesnake101

@Frode Falch

@Dillydilly

@Substance Abuse

@Doctor Grudge

@helax

@VinceF

@Reb

@HHJ

@Banana Tree's Nemesis

@mjfan23

@aerius

@Thundarr

@GordoBarraBJJ

@Schoolboy Q

@balkanbomber85

@Th3 Gr38 1

@GolovKing

@Travis Alexander

@Bushwhacker B

@Sms_productions713

@stronghulk

@sandokan83

@Number 8

@Pepy

@TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle

@Overeem

@ColombianFist

@dog y

@Prick_Flair

@Marko Polo

@ryun253

@2004 account

@MEAN357

@The_Renaissance

@C0NCH3TO

@FlowchartRog

@cmw43

@JonnyBonesPharmacist

@haysus31

@Young Calf Kick

@Rizin

@RicardinhoPT

@Kowboy On Sherdog

@TacticalTijs

@GiganticMeat

@Luthien

@Speedy1

@markys00

@that Indian

@legedema

@weaselkenievil

@Neck&Neck

@TriangleMonkey

@Buff

@Reach4theSky

@SenorFranko

@Jonny Ninja

@Kovalev's "Man Bag"

@MMALOPEZ

@svmr_db

@Violent Violin

@rorschach51

@BoxingMMA

@Todd498

@Snubnoze707

@Blazeblack

@Kenny Powerth

Man, I don't like Rico's chances in MMA much, but he would have killed that polish dude lol.

 

[Stagliano]

If the source are true for your second post then the Glory organization completly fucked up.

 

[JBJ was here]

Verhoeven/Gane at 324. Winner to fight Aspinall.

That's how bad the UFC HW division is.

 

[Cherry]

Give him Acosta

 

[xhaydenx]

If the source are true for your second post then the Glory organization completly fucked up.

Yeh, if true, then it was a huge fuck up.

Kickboxing is sorta dying, but Rico was the face of it, really. Without him, I don't know who there is lol.

That said, perhaps they were paying him more than they could really afford considering they're struggling and losing champs now. They probably figured if they let him go box with the Saudis then they wouldn't get him back, which was likely true, so they held out knowing they were probably going to lose someone they can't afford anymore anyway.

 

[TheNewGame]

He'll get fast tracked with favorable matchups like they did with Pereira at MW.

 

[don't ask]

Man, what a wild card for the HW division. If he has learned some wrestling defense, he could do some real damage in a division with only a few grapplers.

On the other hand, Gokhan Saki...

 

[Chayanne]

The UFC is desperately looking for heavyweight fighters. Rico is a top fighter standing, the question is how his takedown defense is.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Man, I don't like Rico's chances in MMA much, but he would have killed that polish dude lol.

When Poatan was crossing over and kickfight fans were pumped as fuck, it was the same reaction from many.
"No way a kickboxer, even a super high level one, can cross over successfully."
"The grappling is too much, not just the takedowns."
"The low hand style doesn't work in MMA, kickboxers are too used to highguard blocking punches so he'll eat hooks and takedowns all day."

Just like I said then with Poatan, I am excited as fuck at the prospect of Rico in the UFC.

However, the difference between him and Poatan is that Poatan has Glover and had time to develop his rounded skills including a few early losses to teach him the brutality and efficacy of the ground game when there is a leveled difference between the fighters, taught him he needed to evolve his touch of death for a new crowd of victims.

In all honesty, I hope Rico goes and camps with Team Glover for his MMA training at least partially, if any gym in the world knows how to turn a kickboxer into a competent mixed martial artist, it's Glover.
Taking part of his camp in Connecticut, part of it in a wrestling focused gym like Xtreme Couture, and Rico is an enormous issue for the slobs at HW.

Also, holy shit what a fumble by GLORY. Lazily (or greedily) not accepting a superfight crossover for your decade reigning champion and losing him like this? After agreeing to let him fight outside beforehand and he hasn't even asked to do it in 10 years? Beyond terrible look for the organization.

 

[MartiniSIDe]

Not sure his style will translate well but the dude has been training with Aspinall for a while though.

Might be interesting

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

The first Paramount card needs a BANGER. Verhoeven vs Derrick Lewis.

 

[Stagliano]

When Poatan was crossing over and kickfight fans were pumped as fuck, it was the same reaction from many.
"No way a kickboxer, even a super high level one, can cross over successfully."
"The grappling is too much, not just the takedowns."
"The low hand style doesn't work in MMA, kickboxers are too used to highguard blocking punches so he'll eat hooks and takedowns all day."

Just like I said then with Poatan, I am excited as fuck at the prospect of Rico in the UFC.

However, the difference between him and Poatan is that Poatan has Glover and had time to develop his rounded skills including a few early losses to teach him the brutality and efficacy of the ground game when there is a leveled difference between the fighters, taught him he needed to evolve his touch of death for a new crowd of victims.

In all honesty, I hope Rico goes and camps with Team Glover for his MMA training at least partially, if any gym in the world knows how to turn a kickboxer into a competent mixed martial artist, it's Glover.
Taking part of his camp in Connecticut, part of it in a wrestling focused gym like Xtreme Couture, and Rico is an enormous issue for the slobs at HW.

Also, holy shit what a fumble by GLORY. Lazily (or greedily) not accepting a superfight crossover for your decade reigning champion and losing him like this? Beyond terrible look for the organization.

So we are acting as if Crocop and Adesanya didn't prove that kickboxers could have success in MMA ?

 

[Mammothman]

RIP UFC HW division, Rico is going to crush everybody.

 

[SJP_SevenLaker]

He'll get fast tracked with favorable matchups like they did with Pereira at MW.

A ufc talent like Chase Sherman should do.

 

[spinup]

Man, I don't like Rico's chances in MMA much, but he would have killed that polish dude lol.

80% of the HW roster risk a heart attack if going for more than one takedown. Gane joined the UFC with 18months of MMA training and submitted a BJJ black belt in his debut.

 

[AndrewGolota48]

He'll get fast tracked with favorable matchups like they did with Pereira at MW.

Ironically Poatan at HW is one of the only favorable matchups for him. Him and Tuivasa are probably the only fighters who won't take him down.

Or perhaps the UFC could sign Greg Hardy back just for Rico's debut.

Although maybe I'm underestimating his wrestling, after all he was taking down Aspinall at will already in sparring.