Rico Verhoeven lifts the veil on his free agency, revealing the UFC's offer and why he chose boxing over the Octagon.
In a surprising turn of events, the legendary kickboxer turned down the UFC's proposal, despite it being a 'decent' one. But was it a missed opportunity or a strategic decision? Let's unravel the details.
Verhoeven, a 36-year-old kickboxing icon, was courted by the UFC, as confirmed by Hunter Campbell's testimony in the UFC antitrust lawsuit. However, he opted for a WBC heavyweight title bout against the undefeated Oleksandr Usyk, leaving many fans wondering about the UFC's pitch.
Here's the twist: Verhoeven hinted that the UFC's offer was more substantial than some might assume. But when compared to the boxing world's opportunities, it fell short. He was presented with a choice: a high-profile crossover fight against Anthony Joshua, a massive payday, and a chance to cement his legacy in boxing, or a UFC debut against Derrick Lewis, a renowned fighter but not the marquee name Verhoeven sought.
"I had to choose between a crossover fight with Joshua, a big paycheck, and a chance to make history, or a UFC fight with Lewis, which would have been a great introduction to the Octagon. But it wasn't the name I was after," Verhoeven explained.
But here's where it gets controversial: Verhoeven didn't disclose the exact terms of the UFC's offer, but he implied it was comparable to what he earned in GLORY kickboxing. This suggests the UFC valued him highly, contrary to some online speculation that they lowballed him. Verhoeven's decision, he says, was based on the overall landscape of martial arts and his earnings in GLORY.
As Verhoeven steps into the boxing ring with a 1-0 professional record, he faces Usyk, the 24-0 heavyweight champion, on May 23 in Giza, Egypt. This bout will undoubtedly shape Verhoeven's legacy, as he is considered by many to be the greatest heavyweight kickboxer of his era, boasting an impressive 66-10 record in kickboxing.
What do you think? Did Verhoeven make the right call? Would you have chosen the UFC's offer? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's spark a respectful debate!
