UFC 324 was set to mark a significant milestone as the first event hosted on Paramount+ following the UFC’s move from ESPN. Scheduled for January 24, the fight card boasts several high-profile matchups, including two championship fights. Notably, Paddy Pimblett will face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, while Amanda Nunes aims to reclaim the women’s bantamweight crown from Kayla Harrison. Although the lineup features many top contenders and former champions, it could have been even more impressive if legendary kickboxer Rico Verhoeven had accepted the UFC’s invitation to debut at this event.
Rico Verhoeven, a Dutch kickboxing icon famous for an incredible streak of 26 consecutive wins over a 4,000-day title reign, is reportedly considering a career shift to MMA. After the conclusion of his Glory kickboxing tenure, UFC president Dana White reportedly engaged Verhoeven in talks, and the promotion quickly lined up a debut fight offer. UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis revealed on his podcast that he was initially scheduled to face Verhoeven at UFC 324 but the kickboxing star declined the bout. Lewis also mentioned that Sergei Pavlovich turned down a rematch before Lewis was ultimately matched against Waldo Cortez-Acosta.
UFC fighter Cesar Almeida, who has experience fighting kickboxing great Verhoeven twice, praised the Dutchman’s exceptional athleticism and compared his movement to boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Almeida believes Verhoeven’s skills could shake up the UFC heavyweight division and warned that his striking prowess would present serious challenges for established UFC heavyweights. With his blend of size and agility, Verhoeven’s arrival could bring a fresh dynamic to the sport.
Fan Take: Rico Verhoeven entering MMA, especially the UFC, could be a game-changer by introducing world-class kickboxing into the heavyweight division. His debut would not only bring excitement to fans but also push UFC fighters to evolve and adapt, potentially raising the overall skill level in the sport.
