Rico Verhoeven will appear again on Saturday evening to defend his world title in the heavyweights. Who is his opponent Artem Vakhitov and how does the Russian ‘King Rico’ hope to deduct during Glory 100 in Ahoy?
“One of the biggest confrontations in the history of martial arts.” With those big words, Glory director Marshall Zelaznik introduced the fight between Verhoeven and Vakhitov at the end of March. According to him, a collision of styles will cause a fascinating battle.
The 34 -year -old Vakhitov is two -time world champion with the light heavy weights at Glory. And he came into action in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in recent years. The Russian now finally gets the fight that he has been having for years. The Russian was removed from Glory’s rankings in 2022 because of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
“I’ve been longing for this fight since 2017,” says Vakhitov in conversation with NU.nl. “Rico is a megaster in the Netherlands and to be honest, he deserves that status too. He is loved by millions of fans and I hope they will be there for him when I have received his crown and belt.”
Big words, but still Vakhitov is small. With 1.86 meters, he is considerably smaller than Verhoeven, but according to him that can also work in his favor. “The less you weigh, the more mobile and more agile you are. Rico is fast and explosive for a heavyweight, but he is not as fast as most of my earlier opponents,” says the Russian, who already has a clear plan in his head.
“I think I can hurt Rico in his head and lungs. I mean in terms of frustration and fatigue. He is known for his huge gas tank, but I will make him move twice as much as all his earlier opponents. And we will fight at high pace all the time. I want to take him to ‘the deep water’, where he gets frustrated and tired.”
Praise but no awe
Vakhitov is enthusiastic about Verhoeven, but does not intend to show awe for the ruler of the heavyweights. The 36-year-old Verhoeven, who goes for his fourteenth world title, is already waiting for a defeat for more than a decade.
“He is a top athlete with a great character. And also a fantastic ambassador for our sport, someone you look up to. What I also like about him is that he never gives up. You see him being beaten, getting up again and then unleash the hell. That draws a real champion.”
So far the praising words. This weekend it will undoubtedly be less friendly. Vakhitov is in any case ready. “It is a cliché and every fighter will say that the best training camp of his career was, but to be honest, that is now the case for me. We have had a perfect preparation, partly in Thailand and the rest here in Siberia.”
The Russian challenger Van Verhoeven says he has prepared for all tactics. “I brought several sparring partners who are as long as ‘King Rico’ and to be honest, I really enjoyed it. It was sometimes nice that I had no calorie restrictions this time.”
Rico Verhoeven Will Be Back In The Ring on Saturday Evening to Defend His World Heavyweight Title. Who is his opponent Artem Vakhitov and how does the Russian Hope to Dethron ‘King Rico’ Duration Glory 100 in Ahoy?
“One of the biggest confrontations in The History of Martial Arts.” With Those Big Words, Glory Director Marshall Zelaznik introduced the Fight Between Verhoeven and Vakhitov at the End of March. Accordance to him, a clash of styles will Ensure a fascinating battle.
The 34-year-old Vakhitov is a two-time World Light Heavyweight Champion at Glory. And he has Been Active in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in recent years. The Russian is Finally Getting the Fight he has Been Craving for Years. The Russian was Removed From the Glory Rankings in 2022 Due to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.
“I have bone lunging for this fight spray 2017,” Vakhitov Says in an interview with nu.nl. “Rico is a megastar in the Netherlands and to be honest, he deserves that status too. He is loved by Millions of Fans and I hope Will Still Be there for him I have recurred his crown and belt.”
Big Words, But Vakhitov is Still Small in Stature. At 1.86 meters, he is a prospective narrower than Verhoeven, but accordance to him that can also work to his advantage. “The less you weigh, the more agile and maneuverable you are. Rico is fast and explosive for a heavyweight, but he is not as fast as most of my previous opponents,” Says the Russian, who already has a clear plan in His Head.
“I think I can hurt rico in his head and lungs. I mean in Terms of Frustration and Fatigue. He is Known for his huge gas tank, but I will make his make my love as much as all his previous opponents. And we will fight to take the time. frustrated and tired. “
Praising but noe
Vakhitov is Complimentary About Verhoeven, But Has No Intention of Showing Awe for the Ruler in the Heavyweight Division. The 36-Year-Old Verhoeven, Who is Going For His FourteENTH World Title, Has Been Waiting for a defeat for more than a decade.
“He is a top athlete with a great character. And also a fantastic ambassador for our sport, some you look up to. What I also so much about Him is that never gives up. You see Him Being Knocked Down. Unleaside.”
So much for the complimentary words. This weekend will undoubtedly be less friendly. Vakhitov is ready for it anyway. “It’s a cliché and every fighter will it was the best training camp of his career, but honestly that’s the case for me now. We had a perfect preparation, partly in Thailand and the rest here in Siberia.”
Verhoeven’s Russian Challenger Says he has prepared for all tactics. “I brought in Several sparring partners who are just as tall as ‘king rico’ and honestly I really enjoy it. It was also nice for once that I didnn’t have any calorie restictions this time.”