Francis Ngannou is targeting a high-profile clash with Rico Verhoeven as his next combat sports venture, the former UFC heavyweight champion revealed following his recent knockout victory against Philipe Lins.
The 39-year-old fighter, known as The Predator, discussed the potential matchup in an interview, describing the prospect of facing Verhoeven as highly appealing. "[Rico] is very compelling. Very interesting. But nothing has been done yet, so I'm looking forward to it," Ngannou told TMZ.com.
The potential bout represents a convergence of two combat sports stars who have both ventured into professional boxing with controversial results. Verhoeven, a legendary Dutch kickboxer, recently faced heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a boxing match that ended in an 11th-round stoppage. Despite entering as a significant underdog at -2500, Verhoeven dominated the early rounds and was winning on the scorecards when the fight was controversially halted.
Ngannou understands the frustration of a disputed decision all too well. In October 2023, he faced Tyson Fury in a boxing match that resulted in a split decision loss, despite many observers believing he had more than held his own against one of the sport's greatest fighters. The parallel experiences of both athletes facing questionable outcomes in high-profile boxing matches adds an intriguing narrative layer to their potential meeting.
The matchup nearly materialized before Ngannou's fight with Lins. Verhoeven was in advanced discussions with Jake Paul's MVP promotions for a potential bout with Ngannou, but ultimately chose to pursue the opportunity against Usyk instead.
When asked whether a potential clash with Verhoeven would take place under boxing or mixed martial arts rules, Ngannou demonstrated flexibility regarding the format. "Either one. I would like to fight him," he told TMZ.com. The former champion emphasized that facing Verhoeven represents his current priority, stating that such a bout is what he has in mind for the immediate future.
The willingness to compete under either ruleset showcases Ngannou's confidence in his striking abilities across disciplines. His background as a UFC heavyweight champion provides a strong foundation in mixed martial arts, while his performance against Fury demonstrated his capacity to compete at an elite level in pure boxing.
For Verhoeven, a matchup with Ngannou would offer an opportunity to continue his crossover combat sports journey following his competitive showing against Usyk. The Dutch fighter's kickboxing pedigree combined with his recent boxing experience would make for a compelling stylistic matchup against Ngannou's powerful striking.
While no formal agreement has been reached, Ngannou's clear interest in the bout and his recent knockout victory over Lins position him well for negotiations. The fight would represent a significant draw for combat sports fans, bringing together two elite strikers with proven abilities across multiple disciplines and shared experiences navigating the complexities of professional boxing.