As per rumours former GLORY heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven will face British skilled boxer Anthony Joshua in 2026.
Verhoeven vacated his GLORY heavyweight title after 12 years as champion however has not introduced his retirement. The Dutch kickboxer has 13 title defenses on his resume. As per rumours, there have been talks about him becoming a member of the UFC. The 36 12 months outdated is friends with UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
Vechtsport Data on X broke the information that Rico Verhoeven will face Anthony Joshua in Feb 2026. The submit by Vechtsport reads:
“The hearsay has it Apparently, Rico Verhoeven will face Anthony Joshua in Feb 2026 👀?? Organized by mysterious Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh… On Jason Statham’s recommendation?! Statham’ is a pal of Verhoeven🎬🥊”
Within the video posted by Vechtsport, Turki Alalshikh saiD:
“My pal [Jason Statham] he give me thought. In Vegas in September. This shall be shock. We signed with fighter from his facet to battle [Anthony] Joshua in Feb [2026], in my nation.”
Take a look at Turki Alalshikh’s feedback under:
Joshua is presently getting ready to field Jake Paul on December 19.
Ariel Helwani desires Rico Verhoeven to maneuver to MMA
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani revealed that Rico Verhoeven has lately held talks with a number of promotions, together with the UFC, as per Helwani’s sources and he thinks that for Verhoeven, a “transfer to MMA could be large.
Helwani posted on X:
“My two cents: a Rico transfer to MMA could be large for him and the game, contemplating the state of heavyweight MMA. And I believe he’d be fairly profitable. Value noting: he is an efficient pal and coaching accomplice of Tom Aspinall.
Nevertheless, former Glory gentle heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov, who has beforehand skilled and likewise fought with Rico Verhoeven, revealed in one other interview that Verhoeven informed him beforehand that he doesn’t like MMA:
“I don’t suppose Verhoeven will transfer to the UFC. His pal Tom Aspinall is the champion there proper now. It appears he obtained a extra fascinating provide from the PFL. Presumably a battle with Ngannou. It’s not but identified which self-discipline he’ll pursue – possibly MMA, possibly boxing as effectively. After I skilled and sparred with him, he informed me that he doesn’t actually like MMA. So, maybe he’ll both change to boxing, or he was supplied fights which are inconceivable to refuse. He has prospects in every thing. He is a superb kickboxer, probably the most dominant in Glory historical past.” [h/t: Telecomasia.net]
