Overeem Set For Verhoeven Trilogy Under Mixed Rules

Former UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem is reportedly negotiating a three-fight series against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven that would span boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts.

Black Book PR, which represents Overeem, teased an upcoming fight announcement recently. Boxing.Media followed with a report that the two Dutch heavyweights are in talks to meet first in a boxing match at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with kickboxing and MMA bouts to follow. BJPenn.com confirmed discussions are ongoing but noted neither fighter has announced anything official.

What The Mixed Rules Format Means For Both Fighters

Overeem and Verhoeven were originally scheduled to fight in GLORY Kickboxing in 2021 before an Overeem injury scrapped the bout. Verhoeven had been linked to a boxing rematch with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk following their close fight earlier this year, but talks with the UFC and other promoters have also surfaced since he parted ways with GLORY. Overeem retired after a no-contest against Badr Hari at Glory Collision 4 but has revived comeback talk in recent months, particularly after Verhoeven turned down an offer to compete in the UFC octagon.

Verhoeven holds a 66-10 kickboxing record with 21 knockouts. Overeem made his name in K-1 with wins over Tyron Spong and Gokhan Saki before transitioning full-time to MMA, where he challenged for the UFC heavyweight title. He left the promotion after losing to Alexander Volkov in February 2021.

No timeline has been announced for the proposed boxing match in Amsterdam or the subsequent fights.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — REPORT: Alistair Overeem vs. Rico Verhoeven set for mixed rules trilogy