Longtime GLORY heavyweight kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has announced the conclusion of his title reign in a shocking update.
Just months after defeating Alex Pereiraâs former rival, GLORY heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven has abruptly announced the end of his time with the world-class kickboxing promotion.
Verhoeven defeated Artem Vakhitov by unanimous decision at Glory 100 in June to retain his heavyweight title. His professional kickboxing record stands at 66-10, and heâs regarded by many as one of the greatest strikers in combat sports history.
Now, Verhoeven is one of the biggest free agents as 2026 quickly approaches in both MMA and potentially boxing.
Rico Verhoevenâs next combat sports move unclear after GLORY leave
In a recent Instagram post, Verhoeven announced the conclusion of his GLORY heavyweight title reign, and likely his promotional tenure.
âAfter more than twelve years, fifteen world title victories, and countless unforgettable nights, Iâve decided to vacate my GLORY Heavyweight World Title,â Verhoeven said.
âI joined GLORY in 2012, and from that moment on, I gave everything to this sport and to the organisation. Together, we built something truly special sold out arenas, broke records, gave fans incredible fights and moments that helped shape the history of kickboxingâŚ
âTo all the fans whoâve been part of this incredible journeyâŚ. Thank you for the memories, the energy, and the respect.
âItâs not a goodbye, itâs an âuntil we meet again.ââ
Verhoeven has competed in professional MMA just once in his career in a first-round TKO win at RXF 20 in October 2015. Heâs also earned one professional boxing victory by second-round knockout over Janos Finfera in 2014.
Verhoeven has been linked to a potential heavyweight showdown with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in recent years. While the fight hasnât come to fruition, Verhoevenâs free agency opens the door to making the Ngannou fight.
As of this writing, itâs uncertain what Verhoeven will opt to do for the next chapter of his fighting career.
This is a massive hit to Glory! Rico is the heavyweight GOAT and has done everything he can in kickboxing. Would love to see him fight Francis! I donât see anyone beating him in striking and thereâs not really any matchups left for Rico other than maybe The Golden Wolf
Itâs funny how thereâs all of these huge money maker fights that some of these dumbass organizations could put together, instead you end up with another guy running off to do something else.
Also, has any KB ever done good in boxing? Doesnât seem like it.
He wants that Saudi money and I canât blame him.
Let him smash Francis
Gr8 Idea
Verhoeven was âmust-see tvâ in this house when he fought. Rarely a dull moment in his fights. He was king during the height of Gloryâs run. Nice to see him go out on top.
Maybe he wants to get into more acting lol.
https://x.com/evaandjavier/status/1940168366880346580?s=46&t=NOZ-6e-FuZ7zKGFAqkWDGA
Ngannou has little incentive to fight Rico .. Francis wouldnât even take millions to smash Jake Paul so why take a lesser amount for a much bigger challenge?