Rico Verhoeven Teases Trilogy with Badr Hari: The Final Chapter of an Epic Rivalry?

When two icons like Rico Verhoeven and Badr Hari collide, it goes beyond sport—it becomes a saga. Their rivalry has already spanned years, and now, with Verhoeven teasing a trilogy fight, the buzz around a third and potentially final showdown is stronger than ever.

A Rivalry Born in Collision

The first fight took place on December 10, 2016, at Glory 36: Oberhausen in Germany. Badr Hari came out aggressive, dominating early and even opening a cut on Rico’s nose. However, in the second round, Hari suffered a broken arm and could not continue. Verhoeven was awarded the win by TKO, though the manner of victory left many fans unsatisfied.

Their paths crossed again on December 21, 2019, at Glory: Collision 2 in Arnhem, Netherlands. This rematch was massive, drawing more than 30,000 fans to the GelreDome and millions watching at home. Once again, Hari started strong, even scoring knockdowns against Verhoeven. But disaster struck in the third round when Hari suffered a broken ankle after a misfired kick. Verhoeven was declared the winner by TKO, but just like the first fight, the ending came through injury rather than a decisive finish.

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Twice Stopped by Injury: The Legacy of Unsettled Business

Both fights delivered intensity, drama, and global attention, but neither gave fans the definitive ending they craved. Instead, the rivalry became defined by freak injuries, fueling the belief that unfinished business still lingers between the two heavyweights.

Enter the Trilogy Tease

Now, Rico Verhoeven has hinted at a third showdown, and the combat sports world is buzzing. A trilogy would not just be about bragging rights—it would be about closure. Verhoeven has already cemented his status as one of the most dominant champions in heavyweight kickboxing, while Hari remains one of the sport’s most explosive and controversial figures.

A third fight would give Verhoeven the chance to silence critics with a clean victory, while Hari would have one final shot at redemption against his greatest rival.