After knocking out Renan Ferreira in his big MMA comeback, Francis Ngannou is again a hot topic in combat sports. With boxing bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou now has options in both MMA and boxing. One possible matchup being discussed is against kickboxing champ Rico Verhoeven. Fans wonder if these two heavyweights will face off in the ring soon.
Ngannou made a huge statement in his return to MMA, knocking out Renan Ferreira at the Battle of the Giants in Saudi Arabia. After two years away, he reminded everyone of his power, finishing the fight in under one round. Ferreira landed a few good kicks early on, but once Ngannou took him to the ground, it was all over. Unable to escape, Ferreira was caught under a barrage of punches, and the ref stopped the fight with just over a minute left in the first round.
This was Ngannou’s 10th first-round knockout, and it was an emotional win for him, as he dedicated the fight to his late son, Kobe.
The fight also got massive interest from betting fans, with many looking to wager on Ngannou’s future fights. Fans interested in placing bets can watch sportsbook offers and predictions to get in on the action.
As Ngannou celebrates his latest victory, attention turns to the future—and Rico Verhoeven, the reigning Glory Kickboxing heavyweight champion, is eager to step up. Verhoeven has dominated the kickboxing world for nearly a decade, boasting a staggering 20-fight win streak and 11 successful title defenses. Now, with his legacy firmly established in kickboxing, Verhoeven is considering a crossover into MMA or even boxing.
Verhoeven expressed his interest in a potential matchup against Ngannou during a recent interview, stating, “It’s a new challenge. Not that I’m done with challenges within Glory, but I’ve got an amazing win streak, and I’m open to new challenges.” He described a potential crossover fight as a battle between two of the baddest men on the planet, a contest that fans deserve to see.
Currently preparing for a championship rematch against Levi Rigters on December 7, Verhoeven has his sights set on bigger goals if he successfully defends his title. A fight with Ngannou would certainly qualify as one of those marquee matchups, drawing attention from both the kickboxing and MMA communities.
A potential Verhoeven-Ngannou clash brings exciting possibilities, particularly in terms of format. Verhoeven has suggested that the fight could follow a "home and away" structure, with one fight under kickboxing rules and another under MMA rules. He also expressed interest in a boxing match, given Ngannou’s recent experience in the boxing world and Verhoeven’s extensive training with boxing coaches, including Peter Fury.
“There’s so many different flavors,” Verhoeven said, discussing the various formats the fight could take. “But a boxing match, that’s interesting because we’ve both been training for it. It’s different, and it could be an incredible test for us both.”
While the format remains uncertain, one thing is clear: both fighters respect each other’s abilities. Verhoeven and Ngannou have trained together in the past, building mutual admiration. When asked about the prospect of facing Verhoeven, Ngannou smiled and responded, “Send me the deal.”
Currently, the fight remains speculative, with no official deal in place. But both Verhoeven and Ngannou have expressed genuine interest, and with their star power, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two collide in the near future. Whether it happens under kickboxing, MMA, or boxing rules, the prospect of seeing these two combat sports giants face off is enough to capture the attention of fans worldwide.