Rico Verhoeven leaves GLORY, targets move to Boxing or MMA After 4,418 days as GLORY Heavyweight Champion, 13 successful title defenses, and winning the GLORY 8-man Heavyweight Grand Prix, Rico Verhoeven has officially vacated his title and left the world’s premier Kickboxing organization. The 36-year-old Verhoeven has decided to move on from GLORY to pursue new challenges outside of Kickboxing, focusing on professional Boxing, UFC/MMA, or crossover superfights. He’s now a free agent, able to sign with any promotion. The “King of Kickboxing” has already held talks with several major organizations, including the UFC, per Ariel Helwani. GLORY has confirmed the news, praising Verhoeven’s decade-plus of dominance and announcing a major 2026 competitive overhaul, including yearly one-night tournaments and more active champions. A new GLORY Heavyweight Champion will be crowned on February 7 at the Last Heavyweight Standing 8-man Grand Prix. Despite the split, Rico shared an emotional message, saying he “gave everything to this sport and this organisation” since joining GLORY in 2012, selling out massive arenas, breaking records, and helping shape modern Kickboxing. He thanked the behind-the-scenes staff, Pierre Andurand, and fans worldwide, adding: “It’s not a goodbye, it’s an until we meet again.” Where do you want to see Rico Verhoeven fight next? Boxing? UFC? PFL? Let me know! — Written by: @BoxerMaurits This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected Unreal resume and legacy: This content is protected
To add some extra background context to why Rico Verhoeven parted ways with GLORY Kickboxing and is now looking to fight elsewhere: Rico Verhoeven was actually in advanced talks with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for a massive Boxing crossover superfight in Saudi Arabia. Team Verhoeven met Turki, who showed strong interest in putting together a global-level matchup for Rico against a world-famous Boxing name. Because everything looked so positive, Rico and his manager soon flew to Saudi Arabia to continue developing the fight. This was around the Fury–Usyk II period, and GLORY was supposed to collaborate on the deal. According to Dutch reports (De Telegraaf), Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season gave GLORY every opportunity to be part of this extremely lucrative event. But in the end… the deal fell apart. GLORY took too long to finalize their side of the agreement, communication stalled, and the Saudis simply moved on to a different opponent. As a result, Rico lost the biggest crossover opportunity of his career. That was the first major breaking point between him and GLORY. And this ties directly into something Rico had already been promised: GLORY had agreed to give him the freedom to take crossover fights (Boxing or MMA) while still competing in Kickboxing, but that promise never materialized. After the Saudi deal collapsed due to delays on GLORY’s end, Rico and his team basically decided it was time to move on. That’s why he’s a free agent now, able to pursue Boxing or MMA opportunities directly, without anyone slowing negotiations down behind the scenes. Given everything that happened, it makes perfect sense why Rico is exploring new opportunities. And honestly, with his name, accolades, and fanbase, a Boxing crossover superfight is still absolutely possible. Team Verhoeven is actively exploring those options. Hope that helps. This content is protected
Love Rico but I don't think he'll do too well. Lack of kicks will leave him a bit naked in there, and he's not too hard to tag. Also in his mid 30s so he's no spring chicken either. He'll definitely give it his all though and will definitely always show up in tip top shape regardless. Hope I'm wrong though. Would love to see him in the mix.
I thought he was in talks with the UFC? regardless, probably better that he makes some more money in Boxing before hanging it up. Don’t think he’ll make too many waves in boxing because of his chin issues(he gets rocked/dropped a lot) but he could leverage his established popularity for some relatively large payouts.
If he's thinking about his post fighting career, he should go to the UFC. Build his brand and name more in North America. He's already been in an action film or two I believe. Cyril Gane has turned into a Netflix action star. Unless he's given an Ngannou type opportunity he's way too old to make any noise in boxing.
From that kickboxing world I had the highest hopes for Badr Hari and Tyrone Spong who was actually doing okay. Rico, not too sure. He has a lot of mileage on him, much older now and he never had much power to begin with to give him that edge. As in he is not a natural or explosive puncher. Good chin though, and clean athlete.
The possible Saudi money will in all likelihood pull him to boxing. I doubt the UFC would pay him even 6 figures for his first fight, which would be a guarantee with the Saudi´s. Besides, he can use the boxing momentum to move to the UFC.
