JRE MMA Show #183 with Rico Verhoeven
In a Nutshell
Rico Verhoeven was robbed in his boxing debut against undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk—winning 10 rounds on Rogan's card before a controversial early stoppage despite no concussion symptoms, with all pro boxers and commentators agreeing the fight was stopped unjustly. The fight itself was a massive success story: Verhoeven, the greatest heavyweight kickboxer ever, nearly pulled off the biggest upset in boxing history with only one prior pro boxing match by using his size, pace, and smothering pressure against a cruiserweight moving up. Verhoeven, now a free agent at 37 in the "winter of his career," wants the Usyk rematch as unfinished business and is fielding offers from boxing's biggest organizations while considering MMA options like Francis Ngannou.
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Joe Rogan and Rico Verhoeven discuss when they last appeared together on the podcast, determining it was episode number 71, approximately 7-8 years ago.
Rogan immediately addresses the fight with Usyk as one of the craziest things he's seen in combat sports. Verhoeven had one professional boxing match prior to this fight. Rogan emphasizes that Verhoeven is arguably the greatest kickboxer of all time fighting arguably the greatest boxer in the heavyweight division.
Verhoeven won 10 rounds according to Rogan, who states the judges' scoring was questionable with one judge having Verhoeven up by one round and the others scoring it a draw.
Verhoeven describes the stoppage as feeling unjust and that it seemed like officials were looking for a way to stop the fight. He notes that all professional boxers and commentators saw the fight the way he experienced it, but the scorecards showed a completely different fight.
Rogan states that if the fight had gone to the scorecards and Verhoeven lost the decision, it would have been a crime. Verhoeven explains that losing is one thing, but the injustice of the situation makes it much harder to accept.
Rogan highlights that Verhoeven has been the heavyweight champion of kickboxing for approximately a decade, which is remarkable given how difficult it is to stay at the top of the heavyweight division. He mentions specific wars Verhoeven has been through, including the Jamal Ben Sadi fight.
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