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GLORY Kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has set the combat sports world abuzz with his latest revelation—talks are ongoing for a potential fight against PFL heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await confirmation of what could be one of the most exciting crossover bouts in recent history.
Francis Ngannou, famously known as ‘The Predator,’ last fought in the PFL cage in October, where he secured a first-round stoppage victory over Renan Ferreira. This came after his tough boxing loss to Anthony Joshua in March, marking his first combat sports appearance since his UFC exit in January 2022, where he defeated Ciryl Gane.
Currently, Ngannou has been exploring the boxing world, eyeing potential bouts with Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko. However, the possibility of a showdown with Rico Verhoeven could change his trajectory. A kickboxing match against ‘The King of Kickboxing’ would mark an intriguing test of his striking prowess against one of the most dominant figures in the sport.
Verhoeven, last seen in the GLORY ring securing a unanimous decision victory over Levi Rigters in December, has been open about his willingness to face Ngannou. Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, he shared exciting details about the ongoing negotiations. Both fighters have publicly expressed interest in the matchup, and discussions have progressed beyond speculation.
“Yeah, most definitely [that fight] is 100% on the radar.” Rico Verhoeven confirmed in his interview with Ariel Helwani. “I recently saw an interview with Francis that said it was also on his radar and that he’s interested in that fight. So, yeah, there’s a lot of talks going on and I’m excited for it. It’s a huge challenge and it’s something new, it’s something different, something we haven’t seen before…”
The biggest question now remains—under what ruleset would the fight take place? While Verhoeven remains open to various possibilities, the logistics of such a crossover event depend on promoters and organizations willing to make it happen. As the Dutch kickboxing icon optimistically put it,
“We’re in talks with different organizations, different martial set, and different people who have shown interest in a fight like this. So, let’s say we’re halfway [there]. I’m always very positive, so let’s say we’re halfway… I’m interested. Francis is interested. Now let’s see who the promoter is going to be.”
As talks progress, fans can only speculate about the possibilities. Will this be a full-fledged kickboxing bout, a hybrid-rules contest, or something entirely new? One thing is for sure—if the fight happens, it will be a must-watch spectacle that could redefine combat sports crossovers.