Rico Verhoeven

Date: 2026-08-04 | Duration: 2h 17m

Episode Overview

Joe opens this special episode by welcoming Rico Verhoeven, "arguably the greatest kickboxer of all time," and dives straight into Rico's recent, highly controversial boxing match against Oleksandr Usyk. Rico reflects on the unjust stoppage in the 10th round, emphasizing his clear lead on scorecards and his ability to continue, despite the referee's decision. Both Joe and Rico advocate for a five-judge system in combat sports to prevent such "incompetence or corruption" and discuss the mental toll of losing in such a manner, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in judging. Rico reveals the fight only came about after a conversation with Jason Statham led to an initial offer to fight Anthony Joshua, which then transitioned to the Usyk bout when Joshua's plans changed. Rico details his unique strategy to counter Usyk's movement and size, focusing on volume and smothering tactics rather than knockout power. He recounts the surreal experience of fighting in front of the pyramids in Egypt, an emotional full-circle moment tied to his late mother. The conversation then shifts to the state of kickboxing in America, with Joe expressing his frustration at its lack of mainstream appeal despite its thrilling nature. Rico, now a free agent, expresses his desire for a rematch with Usyk, emphasizing the "unfinished business" and the massive narrative potential for what he believes is the biggest fight in heavyweight boxing. He also touches upon his burgeoning acting career, viewing it as a new passion and a healthy way to process emotions previously suppressed during his fighting career.

About Rico Verhoeven

Rico Verhoeven is a Dutch kickboxer widely regarded as one of the greatest combat athletes of all time, with multiple world championships and dominance across heavyweight divisions. He recently competed in a controversial heavyweight boxing match against Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt, which ended in a disputed referee stoppage in the 10th round despite Verhoeven leading on scorecards, sparking debate about judging integrity in combat sports. Beyond fighting, Verhoeven is pursuing an acting career and remains determined to secure a rematch with Usyk, viewing their unfinished business as heavyweight boxing's biggest potential heavyweight bout.

Key Moments

00:00:57 – Rico Verhoeven's Performance Against Oleksandr Usyk
00:01:39 – Controversy of the Usyk vs. Rico Fight Stoppage
00:03:08 – Discussion on Combat Sports Judging Transparency
00:07:44 – Lack of Rematch Talks Between Rico and Usyk
00:09:09 – Usyk's Potential Avoidance of Rico Rematch for Deontay Wilder
00:11:08 – Rico's Size and Cardio Advantage Against Usyk
00:13:00 – Speculation on Corruption or Incompetence in Judging
00:14:26 – Jason Statham's Role in Rico's Boxing Opportunity
00:15:44 – Initial Offer to Fight Anthony Joshua
00:18:38 – Rico's Team Proposes Usyk Fight After Joshua's Accident
00:20:25 – WBC Making Rico vs. Usyk a World Title Fight
00:21:09 – The Lack of Kickboxing Popularity in America
00:23:51 – UFC's Effective Storytelling and Fighter Promotion
00:26:42 – Rico Vacates Glory Belt and Considers MMA
00:28:18 – Rico as a Free Agent and Rematch Discussions
00:30:43 – Rico's Frustration Over Open Scoring and Fight Mistake
00:34:11 – Emotional Impact of the Loss on Rico
00:41:09 – Game Plan Formulation for Fighting Usyk
00:46:07 – Sparring with Tyson Fury and Elite Boxers
00:47:59 – Rico's Transition from Kickboxing to Boxing at 37
00:56:56 – Experience of Fighting in Front of the Pyramids
01:05:18 – Adapting Kickboxing Stance to Boxing Stance
01:08:56 – Rico's Extraordinary Conditioning and Mental Fortitude
01:10:00 – Rico's Specific Strength and Conditioning Routine
01:14:40 – Use of Specialized Treadmill for Joint Preservation
01:15:56 – ACL Surgery Recovery and Healing Modalities
01:18:23 – The Mental Discipline of Consistent Training
01:20:09 – Coping with Personal Loss as a Fighter
01:24:02 – Finding a New Passion in Acting
01:25:56 – Rico's Movie Roles and Jason Statham's Advice
01:30:06 – UFC Not a Financial Option for Rico
01:30:57 – Tom Aspinall's Eye Poke Controversy and Glove Design
01:37:34 – Eddie Hearn Managing Tom Aspinall for Boxing
01:38:09 – Turkey Al-Sheikh's Impact on Making Big Fights
01:41:37 – Desire for Usyk Rematch in Iconic Venues
01:44:50 – PFL's potential to enhance MMA competition
01:46:30 – Impact of influencers like Jake Paul on combat sports
01:47:01 – The Netherlands as a kickboxing epicenter
01:50:42 – Evolution of kickboxing training standards in Holland
01:51:17 – Ramon Dekkers' brutal, explosive fighting style
01:53:13 – Fighter health sacrifices for entertainment
01:53:59 – The need for fair fighter compensation
01:54:27 – Rico Verhoeven's extended prime in kickboxing
01:55:59 – Importance of multiple fight promotion options
01:57:36 – Building compelling storylines around fighters
01:58:48 – Glory Kickboxing's low public recognition in America
02:00:20 – Investment challenges for smaller combat sports promotions
02:00:48 – Dana White's demanding role as a promoter
02:03:07 – Training tradeoffs between boxing and MMA
02:03:43 – Calf kicks: effectiveness, danger, and long-term injury
02:06:54 – Side kicks to the knee and career-ending injuries
02:09:23 – Debating rules for grounded opponents in MMA
02:10:04 – Comparing MMA fight environments: cage, ring, bowl
02:13:54 – Boxing recognized as a strategic art form
02:16:02 – Rico's strong desire for a Usyk rematch

Transcript Excerpt

[00:00:01] Joe Rogan podcast, checking out. The Joe Rogan Experience. Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night, all day. Good to see you, champ. Yes, sir. We were just trying to figure out how long it's been. What year, when was the last one we did together? I think it was 2017. [00:00:22] Almost 10 years. Yeah. Or might have been 16. Yeah, I think. Was it really? No. No. No. [00:00:31] Yeah. Wow. Yeah, that's crazy. The data. He's got her. I was like, maybe we just got punched to the head a little bit too much. A little bit. [00:00:57] One. One. One professional. I've been boxing for 15 years. Of course. Well, also. you're arguably the greatest kickboxer of all time. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that. [00:01:07] And you have a fight with arguably the greatest boxer in the heavyweight division ever. He's in the conversation. 100% in the conversation of the greatest boxer in the heavyweight division ever. And you won 10 fucking rounds, man. [00:01:39] If that went to scorecards and somehow another you lost that decision, that would have been a crime, a crime. I know, and I got to be honest, I think, like, we're straight jumping into it. And, like, I think that's the hard part of it. Like, I don't like losing, but I don't... If it happens, it happens. but I think that's the part that that makes it even harder [00:02:07] that it felt so unjust and... It felt unjust. The stoppage felt unjust. It didn't seem like it made sense. It looks like they were looking for a way to stop the fight. Exactly, but next to that like you say this as a combatant for years and you've been in the sport for so many years and all other professional boxer and accommodators, et cetera. [00:02:57] And if you had lost by decision, it would have been insanity. And we've seen those insane decisions. before and I never know what's going on. You know, I don't want to think it's corruption, but it's almost worse if it's incompetence. If you have someone who's judging a fight, which is li...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #10183?

Rico Verhoeven was the guest on JRE #10183. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #10183?

On Joe Rogan Experience #10183 with Rico Verhoeven, topics include Rico Verhoeven's Performance Against Oleksandr Usyk, Controversy of the Usyk vs. Rico Fight Stoppage, Discussion on Combat Sports Judging Transparency, and Lack of Rematch Talks Between Rico and Usyk.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #10183?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #10183 with Rico Verhoeven is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.