News Verhoeven holds talks with the UFC.

Saw somewhere that Turki has already hinted that he’s signed Rico to box Joshua in February. Whether it’s true or not remains to be seen but I don’t think there’s a shot in hell he ends up in the UFC. They won’t pay him what he’s worth.
Where did you see that bro?
 
Just found out that his opponent in his only MMA fight also fought Jiri.
 
This would be pretty amazing if Verhoeven came to the UFC, not sure what his ground game looks like (if he even has one), but it would be exciting for sure.
 
I think it's better for Rico if he goes to the PFL and fights Francis. He'll make a solid bag of cash for one or two fights against him. PFL will overpay.

UFC will pinch pennies, they aren't going to pay big money to Rico out of the gate from day 1 to join. He's not going to fight for chump change.
 
Don't go to the UFC. Retire or do movies.
 
I think it's better for Rico if he goes to the PFL and fights Francis. He'll make a solid bag of cash for one or two fights against him. PFL will overpay.

UFC will pinch pennies, they aren't going to pay big money to Rico out of the gate from day 1 to join. He's not going to fight for chump change.

Beat Frank in PFL then jump ship to scam UFC out of $$$

???

Profit
 
If he does move to ufc, there is officially no drug testing.
 
Glad to see the UFC making wise moves to get HW back to entertaining as well as the number 1 place for HW’s in MMA. This signing as well as Gablein the future would certainly give any reason to care about a HW bout headlining. Aspinall just doesn’t seem to be panning out towards the huge entertaining draw to bring life back to HW at all. It definitely isn’t one man that can do it but it’s a damn shame people are more excited over who the UFC can sign than they are the champion or top contenders currently
 
His striking style would have to change drastically for him to have any chance in MMA. His really doesn't translate well at all.

Crazy that he's leaving kickboxing. No one in kickboxing can ask for anything near the sort of money he was able to. It must really be drying up if even he's leaving now. It's not like he has much serious competition anymore except for Rigters, who he still beats easily enough. Rigters lost in the tourney recently anyway so it's not like Rico even had to worry about him for a while.

Glory lost another long time champ to MMA just the other week as well. It sucks, but it feels like Kickboxing is dying.
The UFC is trying to make some moves to inject excitement with the knew Paramount deal it seems and kickboxing definitely seems a good place to cherrypick. When you see the UFC getting a new broadcast deal I imagine it would be a perfect time to test free agency
 
Doubt the UFC will offer him enough money.
It's just to keep his name in the media and to raise other offers.
He will do some boxing and movies. He already has a dozen appearances in movies and series.
Working within road house 2 right now.
He's 37 soon and wants to cash out big time at the end of his career.

He trains with Aspinall for a long time, so he might have some grappling.
The UFC may offer him a very short high dollar contract to test the watersand when the contract is almost over have him fight Almeida then try to lowball him
 
no one knows who he is outside of hardcores, he doesnt have the name power to draw a big money boxing fight IMO. ngannou sure, but who cares? the casual has never heard of rico.

the best scenario would be he signs with UFC and then the UFC paves another poatan path to the title for him. nothing but non wrestlers and below level strikers. then he can get immediate title shot against whoever, and let the cards fall where they may. but hope for the best, poatan style. that would be absolute best case scenario.

worst case, they sign him for peanuts, tout him up as best as the commentary can, while serving him jailton almeida, curtis blades, and then he 0-2.
They will definitely give him a couple fights he can build excitement before Blaydes or Almeida. That will definitely happen by contract end to get him to sign for lower though
 
He's actually not even that old by HW standards. I just hope he has basic anti wrestling/grappling defense and doesn't become another Robelis Despaigne
 
A lot of KB types have been doing well in the UFC lately: Adesanya, Chama, Gane, so I'm optimistic he'll do well, especially as he has grappling experience.
 
Back
Top