In just some years, Alex Pereira efficiently transitioned from GLORY kickboxer to one of many best UFC champions ever. Rico Verhoeven admits witnessing the profession transfer has prompted ideas of creating the identical swap.
Verhoeven, the present GLORY heavyweight champion, has admired UFC gentle heavyweight champion Pereira’s success in MMA, and wasn’t shocked to see it come to fruition.
“Positively not stunned with Alex’s performances as a result of he’s a tremendous fighter,” Verhoeven advised MMA Junkie. “He did wonderful in GLORY, and he’s doing wonderful now. Yeah, he’s a real athlete, an actual onerous employee. I adore it. A pleasant man, and an excellent champion.”
The “Prince of Kickboxing” understands there are extra eyeballs on MMA than kickboxing and admits that seeing Pereira attain the top of the UFC in a short while has given him ideas about switching sports activities.
“In fact after I see it, I’m like ‘Oh, man!’” Verhoeven stated. “Perhaps that might have been one thing for me, however I don’t know. I actually consider the whole lot in life occurs for a cause and also you at all times should be trustworthy to your self and you must look within the mirror and see: Would it not actually be my ambition to be the very, very, perfect MMA fighter? Most likely not. Most likely not, to be actually trustworthy.
“For me, that’s what works; being clear and simply have a look at your self and simply give you the reply. Is the reply sure or is it no? Or is it a possibly? Most likely if it’s a possibly, it’s greater than a no than its a sure. So for me, I believe the reply is an easy no.”
Verhoeven returns to motion on Dec. 7 to tackle Levin Rigters at GLORY COLLISION 7 on Dec. 7 within the Netherlands. It’s a rematch from their assembly within the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix, which befell earlier this 12 months in March, which Verhoeven received by the 4 knockdown rule.
Ought to Verhoeven repeat his success, he’s wanting ahead to any and all challenges that lie forward in 2025, together with a possible assembly with PFL superfights champion Francis Ngannou in some type of martial arts.
Nevertheless, Verhoeven reiterates he’s comfy constructing a legacy in kickboxing, regardless of questioning what would have occurred if he did transfer to MMA full time.
“I’ve been doing the game of kickboxing for therefore lengthy,” Verhoeven stated. “We’ve been dominanting, and I simply wish to set the bar as excessive as doable for the subsequent technology, and that’s what they’ll observe. After which for me, there’s so many different issues that I wish to do. I wish to get into performing. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m a shareholder in a bunch of various firms. So, having enjoyable with that – after all, I’m a father, household man. So many issues to do.
“So, leaping into a totally totally different sport? I don’t know. It’s probably not like my ambition, to be trustworthy. If you happen to actually wish to transition, it needs to be your ambition to be your perfect, and if it’s not, why would you transition in any respect?”
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