Rico Verhoeven

Alistair Overeem has publicly called out Rico Verhoeven as talks progress for a massive boxing fight at the Amsterdam Arena, a 60,000-seat venue. Overeem, who was ringside when Verhoeven pushed Oleksandr Usyk close in his second boxing bout, believes a boxing matchup gives Verhoeven his best chance and has accused the kickboxing star of avoiding the fight. The two have twice had bouts fall through, but Overeem says promoters now have a big-money offer on the table to finally settle their long-running feud.

Overeem, Usyk

Rico Verhoeven has indicated that a move to the UFC remains unlikely, telling Joe Rogan that the financial gap between what the promotion is offering and what he expects has only widened since his boxing clash against Oleksandr Usyk. The kickboxing legend dominated Usyk for much of their heavyweight bout before the fight was controversially stopped in round 11, raising his market value considerably. Verhoeven noted that a previously offered UFC fight against Derrick Lewis did not make financial sense, and his position has not softened since. A potential rematch with Usyk also appears to have stalled, leaving the free-agent Verhoeven weighing options from multiple promotions.

Lewis, Usyk

Francis Ngannou and Rico Verhoeven are being eyed for an MMA rules bout on the debut event from MVP following its merger with PFL. The same card is also being discussed as a potential venue for Jake Paul's first MMA fight.

Ngannou