\u201cThe Black Beast\u201d is now scheduled to meet fellow top-ranked heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324, but Lewis recently said that he was nearly matched up with former GLORY Kickboxing Heavyweight Champion Rico Verhoeven.<\/p>\n
Derrick Lewis Claims Rico Verhoeven Turned Down UFC Fight<\/p>\n
Speaking on The Beast and the Cowboy<\/a>, Lewis explained that he was hoping for a significantly quicker turnaround after making short work of Teixeira in Nashville. <\/p>\n Derrick Lewis, right, tries to punch Tallison Teixeira during a UFC Fight Night heavyweight fight at Bridgestone Arena. | Mark Zaleski \/ The Tennessean \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to get a fight damn near every month since July,\u201d Lewis explained (h\/t MMA Fighting<\/a>). \u201cThe fight ended in [35] seconds. I thought they were gonna give me something quick\u2026’We\u2019ve got something big for you. Don\u2019t worry, just sit and wait.\u2019 I\u2019ve been waiting, and nothing happened!\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC newcomer to debut in Houston after stunning Dana White with contract-winning KO<\/a><\/p>\n Lewis went on to claim that the UFC was trying to get something big lined up for him in the form of former kickboxing star Verhoeven, but apparently that plan fell through. <\/p>\n Former GLORY Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven | (GLORY)<\/p>\n \u201cThey were talking about against who. First, it was supposed to be some dude from GLORY Kickboxing\u2026Rico Verhoeven. It was supposed to be against him, then he turned it down.\u201d<\/p>\n Verhoeven Vacated His GLORY Kickboxing Title In November<\/p>\n Regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all-time, Verhoeven made headlines last month when he announced that he was not renewing his contract with GLORY and would vacate the promotion\u2019s heavyweight title. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Is this top UFC contender training to fight UFC Champion Khamzat Chimaev in 2026?<\/a><\/p>\n The 36-year-old first debuted with GLORY in 2012 before he claimed the promotion\u2019s vacant heavyweight belt in 2014 by taking a unanimous decision over Daniel Ghita. Verhoeven went on to defend his GLORY title 13 times during an incredible title reign that lasted 11 years, and he holds the records for most title defenses, wins, and fights in GLORY history. <\/p>\n Derrick Lewis (red gloves) fights Tallison Teixeira (blue gloves) in a heavyweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Bridgestone Arena. | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear what exactly Verhoeven has in mind for the next stage of his combat sports career, but it would be no surprise if the UFC has in fact shown interest in signing the decorated kickboxer. MMA fans unfortunately won\u2019t get to see him square off with Lewis, but \u201cThe Black Beast\u201d will have the chance to win three fights in a row when he and Cortes-Acosta meet on a UFC 324 card that officially kicks off the UFC\u2019s new deal with Paramount <\/a>on January 24. <\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC champ aims to snap losing streak on Holloway vs. Oliveira undercard at UFC 326<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend Anderson Silva shares puzzling response regarding Dana White relationship<\/a> <\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC shockingly parts ways with fighter boasting undefeated UFC record<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA fans put on notice after fighter scores insane walk-off KO in first pro fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Derrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kd8bnwyztmwn5m89vs.jpg\" "\\"Derrick")
<\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kd8bxj2bwfjkks5pft.png\" "\\"Former")
<\/p>\n![\"Derrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kd8byvfymw58teh6qm.jpg\" "\\"Derrick")
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