Kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven joins Francis Ngannou's training for fight against Ciryl Gane

R. Verhoeven will help prepare F. Ngannou for the UFC 270 (Photo: Instagram/Erick Nicksick

The current heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) of the UFC Francis Ngannou received a boost in weight in his preparation for the duel against the interim champion Cyryl Gane, resulting in the unification of the division's belts. GLORY heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven joined the Cameroonian's training.

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Last Wednesday (17), Xtreme Couture head coach Erick Nicksick revealed, in a post on Instagram, that the Dutch kickboxer had joined the preparation of Francis Ngannou protocols for UFC 270, which takes place in January. According to Nicksick, the idea is to have Verhoeven work with Ngannou over the next week or even longer, if they manage to align their schedules.

Considered one of the greatest kickboxers today, Rico Verhoeven has been GLORY heavyweight champion since 2013, when he defeated legend Peter Aerts. The Dutchman successfully defended the organization's title on ten occasions.

Opponent of Francis Ngannou, Cyryl Gane is a former undefeated Muay Thai champion. Also undefeated in MMA with ten victories, the Frenchman shows a very complete style of stand-up fighting and movement, which can be simulated by Verhoeven in training sessions.

Francis Ngannou e Cyryl Gane face each other in the main fight of the UFC 270, on January 22nd. The event also features the trilogy between Brandon Moreno e Deiveson Figueiredo, for the flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg).