Will former Glory champion Rico Verhoeven join the UFC?

Rico Verhoeven’s future in combat sports has suddenly become the biggest discussion in the heavyweight world. After ruling GLORY kickboxing for years as the undisputed heavyweight champion, Verhoeven has now stepped into free agency and vacated his title. That immediately opened the door for the biggest move of his career.

Reports from Ariel Helwani state that Verhoeven is in talks with the UFC while also being approached by multiple other promotions. The UFC option is naturally the one that has people talking the most, because fans have been imagining “The King of Kickboxing” inside the Octagon for a long time.

Why the UFC move makes sense

Verhoeven has achieved almost everything kickboxing has to offer. With a professional kickboxing record of 76 fights, 66 wins and 21 knockouts, his resume stands among the best ever in the sport. He has also already competed in both boxing and MMA, winning once by knockout in each sport. Those experiences make the transition much more realistic than for most pure strikers.

The UFC heavyweight division is also in a moment of change. Veterans like Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are nearing the end of their careers, and the division needs fresh star power. Verhoeven’s size, elite striking fundamentals and global fanbase would immediately inject excitement into the title picture.

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He would also bring with him a profile that few newcomers possess. His dominance, his championship aura and his history of main-eventing big shows in Europe make him exactly the kind of athlete the UFC loves to promote.

What still needs to be decided

Even though talks are happening, Verhoeven hasn’t made a choice yet. There are still major questions:

• Will the UFC give him a top contender immediately?
• Would he need time to adjust fully to MMA grappling and wrestling demands?
• Could boxing or another striking-focused promotion offer him better financial deals?

Verhoeven has always been smart with his career decisions. He won’t rush into anything unless the opportunity matches his ambitions.

The bottom line

If Rico Verhoeven signs with the UFC, it would be one of the most exciting heavyweight additions in years. His striking credentials are far beyond almost anyone entering MMA for the first time. The only thing left is his decision on where the final chapter of his fighting legacy will take place.