Rico Verhoeven, renowned kickboxing legend and teammate of Tom Aspinall, has chosen to bypass a UFC contract to engage in a high-profile boxing match. Verhoeven, a former GLORY heavyweight champion with a 12-year reign and over 50 fights, will face undefeated heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. This decision to switch to boxing rather than competing under the UFC banner surprised many fans and observers in the combat sports community.
Although the UFC attempted to sign Verhoeven before UFC 324, efforts fell short as confirmed by Hunter Campbell, UFC’s chief business officer, who revealed the promotion’s interest during recent testimony in the UFC antitrust lawsuit. Despite the offer, Verhoeven elected instead to pursue a boxing career, highlighting the upcoming bout as the pinnacle of his next challenge.
Details of the Historic Boxing Event at the Pyramids
The fight, appropriately titled Glory in Giza, will place Verhoeven against Oleksandr Usyk, who holds unified heavyweight titles with the WBC, WBA, and IBF. Scheduled in one of the world’s most iconic locations, the Pyramids of Giza, this May 23 event carries significant symbolic weight while promising an electrifying spectacle for fans globally.
The unique venue has already stirred excitement. As noted on social media,
“Oleksandr Usyk is fighting kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23, WILD boxing venue.”
— Happy Punch, combat sports commentator
Verhoeven expressed his motivation clearly:
I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish, But staying at the top didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it. I wasn’t looking for comfort, so started looking of the highest challenge available in another world.
His words emphasize a relentless drive to test himself beyond his established dominance in kickboxing.
He further added,
Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.
This statement underscores the magnitude of the contest between two champions from distinct combat disciplines.
Oleksandr Usyk Shares Respect and Anticipation for the Matchup
Oleksandr Usyk also voiced admiration for Verhoeven’s achievements and a readiness for the upcoming fight.
I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport, Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline and belief. I respect his journey; he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.
Usyk’s words reflect the respect between elite athletes crossing into each other’s arenas. He continued,
I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too.
This event will see only the WBC heavyweight title contested and receives backing from His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. Usyk’s last fight was a victory over Daniel Dubois in July of last year, while Verhoeven’s most recent bout was a unanimous decision win against Artem Vakhitov in June of last year. The pairing’s announcement at such a landmark location instantly captured widespread attention online.
The Online Reaction to the Unprecedented Usyk vs. Verhoeven Clash
Rico Verhoeven’s potential move to the UFC had fueled speculation for years, especially since he trained alongside Tom Aspinall at a gym in Manchester, showcasing impressive grappling skills beyond his kickboxing expertise. However, choosing boxing to face Usyk presents a significant career pivot that has left fans divided and intrigued.
Some fans view this matchup as heavily favoring Usyk. Comments like,
Usyk is going to light up Rico so bad in the boxing ring, that he might end up catching a Rico at the end of the fight.
and
This would be a good watch. Easy fight for Usyk though.
illustrate skepticism about Verhoeven’s success inside a boxing ring against an elite champion.
From a career perspective, boxing at age 36 could provide Verhoeven with greater earnings and a promising path, akin to what Francis Ngannou experienced after leaving the UFC for boxing, reportedly pocketing $30 million for just two fights. Conversely, Usyk, aged 39 and having defeated top names such as Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois, may be approaching the twilight of his boxing career. Crossover fights like this often offer retirement-bound athletes lucrative opportunities and generate unique fan engagement.
Fan Excitement Builds Around the Venue and Matchup
The choice of the Pyramids of Giza as the venue has amplified the fight’s allure. Social media buzz includes comments like,
Boxing meets legend vibes pyramids backdrop cinematic energy 100.
Others expressed disbelief at the matchup’s scale:
Wait, are we for real right now? If Usyk actually takes on Rico at the Pyramids, combat sports might’ve just peaked. The visuals alone would be insane but I’ll believe it when I see them face-to-face in Egypt.
The venue’s historic and cultural significance combined with two top fighters from different combat backgrounds creates a surreal and thrilling scenario, elevating the event beyond a typical fight. Fans also reminisced on logistical challenges like Joe Rogan’s inability to record a podcast at the Pyramid’s summit earlier in the year, highlighting how exceptional this match’s location is.
Sharing his enthusiasm, one fan said,
Boxing just be doing the wildest sh-t lol, wildest matches, wildest venues, I love this tho. Imagine if Rico wins community would go nuts.
While excitement runs high, some voices have raised concerns, with remarks such as,
Most likely will get canceled because the Egyptian military occupation will want a cut.
noting potential hurdles stemming from the event’s geopolitical setting.
What the Fight Means for Both Fighters and Combat Sports
This matchup between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven stands to be one of the most compelling events of the year, bridging distinct realms of combat sports. Verhoeven’s deferral of UFC opportunities in favor of boxing reveals strategic career planning, while Usyk’s willingness to face a decorated kickboxer affirms his competitive spirit and reverence for challenging new frontiers.
The fight’s unprecedented location and crossover aspect may influence future events, encouraging more such bouts that attract diverse audiences and elevate the global profile of combat sports.
As the combat world eagerly awaits May 23, the contest promises intense competition, cultural spectacle, and potential shifts in how fighters plan their careers across sports disciplines. The bout will also test the boundaries of combat styles and offer fans a unique event that weaves history, sport, and international interest.
Oleksandr Usyk is fighting kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23
WILD boxing venue 😳😭 pic.twitter.com/CI1bVqDuST
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) February 27, 2026
