UFC fans, brace yourselves for a missed opportunity that could have been a knockout spectacle! Imagine the thrill of witnessing a heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis, a two-time UFC Heavyweight title contender, and kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven.
But here's the twist: Lewis, known as 'The Black Beast', has revealed on his podcast, 'The Beast and Cowboy', that the UFC initially offered him a bout against Verhoeven, who has been rumored to transition to mixed martial arts (MMA). However, the former GLORY champion declined the fight.
Lewis, eager for a match, had been seeking a fight almost every month since July. With his last fight ending in a swift 30-second knockout, he anticipated a quick turnaround. But the UFC had other plans, promising him a 'big' fight.
And this is where it gets intriguing: the UFC's 'big' fight plan involved none other than Rico Verhoeven. The promotion's confidence in matching him with Lewis, a top-ranked veteran with the most knockouts in UFC history, is a testament to their belief in Verhoeven's potential in MMA. But, in a surprising turn of events, Verhoeven turned down the opportunity.
Lewis also mentioned pursuing a rematch with Sergei Pavlovich, who swiftly defeated him in 2023, but the Russian also declined. Ultimately, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, aka 'Salsa Boy', who has been vocal about wanting to face Lewis for over a year, became the only one to accept the challenge.
As Lewis prepares for UFC 324, riding a two-fight win streak, including a stunning 35-second knockout at UFC Nashville, one can't help but wonder what might have been if Verhoeven had accepted. And this begs the question: is the UFC's pursuit of Verhoeven a sign of their commitment to bringing in top talent, or is it a risky move that could backfire? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
