Rico Verhoeven Vacates His GLORY Heavyweight Title After 12 Years
Rico Verhoeven has officially vacated his GLORY Heavyweight World Title, ending one of the greatest championship reigns kickboxing has ever seen. After more than twelve years with the promotion and fifteen world-title victories, the Dutch powerhouse has closed the chapter on an era that defined modern heavyweight kickboxing.
His announcement marks the conclusion of a run that began in 2013, when he won the GLORY Heavyweight Championship and went on to dominate the division for more than a decade. Verhoeven became the face of the organization, selling out arenas, headlining the sport’s biggest events, and defeating nearly every elite heavyweight of his generation.
The legacy of a dominant champion
Throughout his GLORY career, Verhoeven built a record that placed him firmly among the all-time greats. He defeated a long list of top contenders and former champions, including Badr Hari, Jamal Ben Saddik, Gökhan Saki, Benjamin Adegbuyi, Hesdy Gerges, Antonio Plazibat, and many others. His style combined pressure, conditioning, intelligent defense, and technical precision, allowing him to outlast and outmaneuver opponents across all styles.
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One of his most impressive achievements came in March 2024, when he won the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix. In a single night, he beat Sofian Laïdouni, Nabil Khachab, and Levi Rigters, reminding the world why he was still considered the top heavyweight kickboxer on the planet. In 2025, he added another major win by defeating Artem Vakhitov at GLORY 100 in a heavyweight super fight.
Verhoeven’s reign is unmatched in GLORY history. With over sixty professional wins and the most heavyweight title victories in the promotion, he set a standard of consistency and longevity rarely seen in combat sports.
His decision to vacate the title reportedly stemmed from contract disagreements and dissatisfaction with GLORY’s internal policies, ending not only his reign but also his long relationship with the organization.
As for what’s next, Verhoeven has options. He has expressed interest in MMA, hinted at talks with major promotions, and continues to expand his career outside the ring with acting roles and business ventures. A move to another combat sport or another major kickboxing platform remains possible.
What is certain is that his departure leaves a massive void in GLORY’s heavyweight division. For more than a decade, Rico Verhoeven wasn’t just champion; he was the division. The era he built is now closed, and the next chapter of his career will be watched closely across the combat sports world.
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