Former GLORY kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven was targeted for a contract and potential debut at UFC 324 but he ultimately passed on the offer.
That’s according to UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, who revealed his attempt to sign Verhoeven during testimony in a UFC antitrust lawsuit hearing on Thursday. Campbell was testifying with Judge Richard Boulware and attorneys for the plaintiffs questioning him about discussions he has with UFC CEO Dana White about signing fighters and dealing with outside competitors such as other MMA or combat sports organizations.
Campbell used Verhoeven as an example said that he “tried to sign him” leading up to the UFC’s first ever card on Paramount+ back in January. But despite his best efforts, Campbell added that Verhoeven chose “not to sign and go box” instead.
Veteran UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis had previously stated that he was offered a fight against Verhoeven but the Dutch legend turned it down. It turns out Verhoeven may not have specifically declined facing Lewis but rather just passed on signing with the UFC all together.
Verhoeven, 36, is one of the most accomplished kickboxers of all-time but after a long and storied career in GLORY, he decided to relinquish his heavyweight title and leave the promotion this past November.
Rumors started swirling immediately about his future plans after Verhoeven had previously expressed interest in boxing — including a possible showdown against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou — as well as potentially crossing over to MMA after spending the past few years working alongside current UFC heavyweight king Tom Aspinall.
Verhoeven only has one MMA fight on his resume — a knockout win from 2015 — but cross training with Aspinall had many wondering if he was contemplating a return to the sport after he exited GLORY.
Instead, it appears Verhoeven is resolved to focus on boxing for now with Campbell confirming that he ultimately passed on the UFC’s offer when the organization tried to sign him in January.
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