The UFC nearly pulled off something spectacular. For a moment, it looked like Rico Verhoeven, the long-reigning GLORY heavyweight champion, might swap kickboxing for the Octagon in a crossover debut against a fan-friendly opponent.

It would have provided a new storyline for a heavyweight division that embraces chaos. However, instead of walking toward a cage, the ‘Prince of Kickboxing’ chose to walk toward the pyramids because when boxing money starts talking, it tends to talk loudly.

Rico Verhoeven explains why Derrick Lewis wasn’t the move

“It was decent,” Rico Verhoeven told Ariel Helwani. “It was a decent offer, but like I said, it’s just like, put the two next to each other—a big crossover fight versus Anthony Joshua, with also like a serious paycheck as well, or a crossover to the UFC, which is different.

“He’s [Derrick Lewis] an amazing fighter; he’s a good name within the UFC, but doesn’t get that, like, that stature that I’m looking for.”

Verhoeven’s candor cut through the online speculation. He confirmed the UFC’s offer was legitimate and respectful, but his reasoning came down to a single word: stature.

Well, that answer surely adds a lot of clarity, and credit to Verhoeven for not dodging the question. Yes, the UFC called. Yes, the offer was real. And no, it wasn’t disrespectful. Though Derrick Lewis is a fan favorite and a standout performer, it wasn’t the kind of mega-event leap the Dutch kickboxing great wanted. But possibly the most intriguing part? He shot down the myth online that the UFC lowballed him.

“That is definitely not true,” he added. “Like, the UFC just came in like Rico is a no-name, so we just give him, like, the bulls— offer. They definitely did not do that.

“They treated me with a lot of respect and gave me a really decent offer, especially in terms of what they offer other fighters. So, I really felt that.”

Financially, Rico Verhoeven said it was close to his earnings in GLORY. However, when compared to a WBC heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk and the potential global payout that comes with it, the decision became simple.

Regardless, Verhoeven isn’t closing the UFC door forever. But right now? The Octagon can wait. Heavyweight boxing gold and a huge check cannot, especially when someone like Jason Statham helped him secure the fight.

How Jason Statham helped set up Oleksandr Usyk vs. Verhoeven

So, how did Rico Verhoeven end up with a WBC heavyweight title fight rather than a UFC debut? Surprisingly, Hollywood played a role in it. As Ariel Helwani revealed, Jason Statham acted as the middleman.

“This someway, somehow, got to Jason Statham,” Helwani said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “Jason Statham is a very good friend of Rico Verhoeven. Jason Statham is also a very good friend of Turki Alalshikh.

“Jason Statham pitched Turki Alalshikh Rico Verhoeven. Turki Alalshikh was not familiar with Rico Verhoeven, and he said, ‘This is the guy, this is my boy.'”

Other ideas were suggested at first, including various crossover opponents, but the interest in Rico Verhoeven stuck.

“They still have this deal, and they still want to make a deal with Rico Verhoeven,” Helwani added. “So, they say, ‘Okay, what’s the next best thing? Let’s go to Oleksandr Usyk.’

“And so that’s how this whole thing got made.”

One connection, one recommendation, and the Octagon was replaced by a title fight in Egypt. But as we said before, there is no bad blood between ‘The Prince of Kickboxing’ and the UFC. So, it shouldn’t be surprising if the UFC returns with a blockbuster deal that aligns with his championship ambitions.