GLORY heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven made headlines several weeks ago when he announced he would be parting ways with the kickboxing promotion to become a free agent. In recent weeks he has been linked to possible fights in MMA and boxing, including a high-profile showdown with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Verhoeven is undoubtedly one of the most talented martial arts athletes of all time after a legendary run in GLORY. He hasn’t competed since a dominant win over Artem Vakhitov at GLORY 100 in June.
Verhoeven has been linked with a possible UFC signing, which would be a much-needed boost to the heavyweight division. According to one of the division’s biggest stars, Verhoeven was offered the opportunity to fight at UFC 324 before reportedly turning it down.
Derrick Lewis: Rico Verhoeven turned down the fight against me at UFC 324
During a recent episode of The beast and the cowboyUFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis claimed Verhoeven’s UFC debut almost came against him at UFC 324.
“[The UFC] was talking about ‘We have something big for you, don’t worry, just sit and wait’. But s– I waited!’ Lewis said.
“[UFC 324] in January. It had to be a guy from Glory, Rico [Verhoeven]. Then he turned down the fight. It would be against him. He tried to get Sergei Pavlovich back, but he said no.”
Lewis was then shown a yellow card for Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324 after Verhoeven allegedly rejected the offer. At the time of writing, it is uncertain whether the matchmakers remain interested in signing Verhoeven.
Verhoeven has fought once in MMA during his fighting career, a first-round TKO victory over Viktor Bogutzki at Romania’s Xtreme Fighting 20 in October 2015. Meanwhile, Lewis returns to the Octagon next month on a two-fight win streak that includes recent victories over Tallison Teixeira and Rodrigo Nascimento.
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