24-Jul-19
This podcast features Joe Rogan in conversation with Glory Kickboxing Heavyweight Champion Rico Verhoeven. They delve into Verhoeven’s career, the intricacies of kickboxing, and his upcoming rematch with Badr Hari. Provocative topics like the popularity of kickboxing in Europe versus America, the controversial nature of Badr Hari, and the importance of mental training are discussed.
Underlying themes include the dedication required for a successful fighting career, the complexities of managing a high-intensity lifestyle, and the importance of finding the right team and support system.
- Kickboxing’s Popularity: A Global Divide
- Verhoeven explains the enormous popularity of kickboxing in Europe, particularly Holland, in comparison to its limited popularity in America.
- He attributes this difference to the historical progression of fighting styles in each region, with MMA being more readily adopted in America due to its proximity to wrestling and boxing.
- Verhoeven argues that the knockouts and striking-heavy style of kickboxing should appeal to American audiences, but it hasn’t yet captured the same level of interest.
- He believes that the upcoming rematch with Badr Hari could be a turning point for kickboxing in America, potentially attracting a wider audience.
- Badr Hari: The Wild Man of Kickboxing
- Badr Hari is a legendary kickboxer known for his aggressive fighting style and controversial behavior outside the ring.
- Verhoeven recounts his previous fight with Hari, which ended prematurely due to an injury to Hari’s arm, leaving the outcome unresolved and setting the stage for a rematch.
- Hari’s reputation for violence is highlighted, with incidents like breaking someone’s leg in a club and slapping a man in a hotel being mentioned. Verhoeven expresses skepticism about Hari’s alleged knockout record, questioning the accuracy of his fight history.
- The rematch with Hari is considered a highly anticipated event in the kickboxing world, with the potential to draw a large audience.
- Mental Training: The Champion’s Edge
- Verhoeven emphasizes the significance of mental training, believing it’s as crucial as physical conditioning in achieving success in fighting.
- He recounts the mental lessons he learned from former kickboxing champion Alfa Yerlima, who instilled a relentless drive and a willingness to push through fatigue, even when his body was telling him to stop.
- Verhoeven shares his approach to mental training, involving constant visualization of upcoming fights, coping with the ups and downs of confidence levels, and actively processing life events to avoid letting them affect his performance.
- He advocates for the use of sports psychologists, challenging the stigma associated with seeking mental support and emphasizing its potential benefits for athletes.
- The Importance of a Supportive Team
- Verhoeven highlights the critical role of a strong support team in a fighter’s success, encompassing not just coaches and trainers but also nutritionists, physiotherapists, and even mental coaches.
- He emphasizes the importance of having a team that can help manage the rigorous demands of training, provide objective feedback, and ensure he’s not pushing himself too hard, leading to overtraining or injury.
- Verhoeven recognizes the importance of having people around him who boost his positivity and provide support, particularly in the face of challenges and setbacks.
- He emphasizes the need for a team that understands the fighter’s individual needs and goals, providing personalized support and guidance throughout the journey.
- Verhoeven’s Future: Beyond the Ring
- Verhoeven expresses his desire to explore acting after his kickboxing career, having already begun training with notable figures in the industry like Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg.
- He acknowledges the challenges of transitioning from a fighting career to acting, but remains optimistic about his prospects and his passion for the new endeavor.
- He highlights the importance of staying focused and dedicated to both his current career and his future aspirations, ensuring that he’s giving both his full attention and effort.
- Verhoeven envisions a future where he’s able to leverage his success in kickboxing to elevate the sport in America, potentially drawing a larger audience and creating opportunities for other talented fighters.
Here are 5 memorable quotes from the podcast:
- “So we I do not for the life of me understand why it hasn’t taken off in America. I don’t get it.”
- “Everybody said yeah. But Rico walked into the jabs, the first round and everything.”
- “The biggest compliment I could get from an opponent and I had it like my last six opponent got like three or four times this is like Rico now I understand why you are the champion.”
- “So and that’s how I try to step into the ring with that mentality like it’s a game.”
- “I just think hey my opponent probably now is resting or whatever he’s doing I don’t care but I need to do some next right so constantly that’s that’s that’s running through my mind everything that I’m doing he’s not doing now.”