Rico Verhoeven on the Usyk Stoppage, the Scorecards, and What's Next

Rico Verhoeven returns to Undefeated and Undisputed for his second appearance on the show, and this time he's fresh off one of the most talked-about fights in recent combat sports history. Hosts Chael Sonnen and Ian Parker sit down with the Dutch kickboxing legend to unpack his near-historic upset of unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.The conversation covers the disputed scorecards that showed the fight tied during open scoring when most observers had Rico winning convincingly, the controversial 11th-round stoppage by referee Mark Lyson that came after the bell had already rung, and what Rico's strategy would have been had the true scores been revealed. Chael and Ian also explore the broader implications for crossover combat sports, whether Rico's negotiating leverage has never been higher, and what the future holds — rematch, new opponent, or something else entirely.The episode closes on a lighter note as Rico's viral post-fight Nutella sandwich becomes the centerpiece of a memorable live moment, with Ian Parker attempting to eat a heavyweight-sized peanut butter sandwich in solidarity. A conversation about heart, resilience, family, and the relentless pursuit of greatness — don't miss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices