Kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has revealed that the UFC extended him a decent contract offer for a debut against Derrick Lewis, but he opted for a high-profile boxing match against Oleksandr Usyk instead. The fight, for the WBC heavyweight title, is scheduled for May 23, 2026, at the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. Verhoeven emphasized the respect shown by the UFC during negotiations.
Rico Verhoeven, the longest-reigning heavyweight champion in GLORY Kickboxing history with 13 title defenses and a 66-10 record, recently became a free agent after ending his contract with the promotion. At 36 years old, he holds a 1-0 professional boxing record from a 2014 debut. During this period, the UFC approached him with a contract offer for a potential debut at UFC 324 against Derrick Lewis.
In an interview on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Verhoeven described the UFC's proposal as respectable and financially comparable to his GLORY earnings. "It was decent. It was a decent offer," he said. He noted that online speculation about a lowball offer was unfounded. "They treated me with a lot of respect and gave me a really decent offer, especially in terms of what they offer other fighters," Verhoeven added.
However, Verhoeven ultimately chose a crossover boxing opportunity, initially planned against Anthony Joshua, but now set against the undefeated Oleksandr Usyk (24-0), the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion. The bout carries a significant paycheck and aligns with his stature as one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers. "A big crossover fight vs. Anthony Joshua with also a serious paycheck, as well – or a crossover to the UFC, which is different. Derrick Lewis is an amazing fighter. He's a good name within the UFC but he doesn't get that stature that I'm looking for," Verhoeven explained.
While Verhoeven did not disclose exact figures, he indicated the UFC offer was a solid entry point for transitioning to MMA but did not outweigh the boxing prospects. He has not ruled out a future UFC appearance.