Rico Verhoeven is almost universally considered the best pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world, but he would like to add to his accolades with a crossover fight against a former UFC champion.
Below 's dominant victory When he made his PFL debut, the immediate question was who he would face next and what sport would interest him most. While MMA was Ngannou's primary focus, his passion for boxing led to two fights against him And and he has already stated that he would like to return to the sport in the future.
It may be difficult to imagine Ngannou facing another top boxer with a 0-2 record, but Verhoeven believes he would be the perfect opponent to welcome “The Predator” back to the ring.
“100 percent, I think it definitely sparks interest for me, but also for the fans,” Verhoeven told MMA Fighting about the potential fight against Ngannou. “Because it’s so, so different. We are both standup martial arts champions and the most complete. He's an MMA fighter, I'm a kickboxer and yes, we both know how to use our hands and feet. So how cool would it be to put these words together?
“Instead of just boxers or just one MMA fighter going into boxing. No, let's pit an MMA fighter against a kickboxer, and we can do it in different weight classes. But especially in the heavyweight division, that's what everyone wants to see. It’s also the most entertaining.”
Verhoeven faces his own test on Saturday when he takes on Levi Rigters in the GLORY rematch Grand Prix Final, which took place earlier this year. This fight came at the end of a one-day tournament where Verhoeven ultimately scored four knockdowns to secure the victory, but Rigters definitely had his moments, including a backwards fist that almost ended the fight.
But if Verhoeven continues to win with an unbeaten streak that goes back almost a decade, he thinks a boxing match against Ngannou would make a lot of sense. It makes so much sense that he has already heard that there is interest from a promoter who has the money to actually make this fight happen.
“The discussions have taken place,” confirmed Verhoeven. “We spoke to [Saudi Arabia] for different fights. It was fun that Francis came out of the hat, but we were already talking before that. That's why I'm excited about everything the future brings. I’m open to any kind of fun.”
As for switching from kickboxing to boxing, Verhoeven doesn't hesitate to switch sports because he knows it's easier for him than it was for Ngannou when he came from MMA.
In fact, Verhoeven regularly trains with Tyson Fury's uncle, who was once his main trainer when he rose to fame as one of boxing's best heavyweights.
“For me, the transition isn’t even a transition,” Verhoeven said. “I have been boxing for so many years. I have been training with Peter Fury for many years. He has been my boxing trainer for many years. It's second nature. I'm ready. I'm ready for anything.
“First, of course, we have December 7th on the menu and then we’ll see where we go. Whatever comes next.”
It's definitely tempting to make a lot of money from boxing, and the chance to fight a former UFC champion adds a little extra spice to it, but Verhoeven admits that the fight also serves another purpose for him personally would serve.
Although Verhoeven is considered one of the greatest kickboxers of all time, he is rarely mentioned alongside many of his boxing or MMA contemporaries when discussing the best heavyweights in the world.
After leaving the UFC as heavyweight champion, Ngannou certainly has a lot to say, and many believe that regardless of promotion, he is still the best in the sport. In boxing, is at the summit after defeating Fury and a rematch between them is scheduled for December.
Verhoeven feels he definitely deserves to be mentioned alongside these fighters and that knocking out someone like Ngannou could help him get the recognition he deserves.
“Francis is a big name, but I’m a big name too. “I have dominated the sport for over a decade, which no one has ever done before,” said Verhoeven.
“Why isn’t my name there? Because the sport of kickboxing is not as big a platform as boxing and MMA. I think that's the only difference. But in terms of quality and combat I'm at the same level or better. If you're ready to test it, let's test it. I am here. Show me what you’ve got.”
