TLDR
- Francis Ngannou says Rico Verhoeven was robbed in his TKO loss to Oleksandr Usyk after a controversial 11th-round stoppage
- Video shows the bell may have rung before the referee stopped the fight, with Verhoeven beating the count
- Ngannou compares the result to his own split-decision loss to Tyson Fury, claiming boxing favors established champions over outsiders
- The former UFC champion is reconsidering his boxing future and may focus on MMA unless reforms are enacted
- Ngannou calls for independent oversight and instant-replay mechanisms in major title fights
Sources: Bloody Elbow | MMA Fighting | ESPN | MMA Junkie
Francis Ngannou has spoken out about the controversial ending to Oleksandr Usyk’s TKO victory over Rico Verhoeven, saying the Dutch kickboxer was robbed of a deserved win. The former UFC heavyweight champion drew parallels to his own disputed loss to Tyson Fury last year.
“Outsiders will never win, trust me I know, but Rico was the winner tonight. Period,” Ngannou told BBC Sport after Saturday’s fight in Egypt.
Usyk defended his WBC and WBA heavyweight titles against Verhoeven in front of the Giza necropolis on May 23. The fight ended in Round 11 when referee Mark Lyson stopped the bout after Verhoeven was knocked down by an uppercut.
The timing of the stoppage has become the center of controversy. Video footage appears to show the bell ringing before the referee stepped in to halt the action. Social media erupted with fans claiming Verhoeven beat the count and should have been allowed to continue.
Unofficial scorecards had Verhoeven ahead at the time of the stoppage. The official judges were split, with one scoring it 96-94 for Verhoeven and two seeing it 95-95.
Outsiders will never win, trust me I know, but Rico was the winner tonight. Period. pic.twitter.com/4QojrxYX2X
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 23, 2026
Ngannou Sees Pattern of Unfair Decisions
Ngannou says the Usyk-Verhoeven result reminds him of his own experience crossing over to boxing. He lost a split decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023, a result many observers felt should have gone in his favor.
The MMA star argues that high-profile champions are routinely favored by officials when fighting against outsiders from other combat sports. He suggests the sport feels “rigged” when big names and promotional interests are at stake.
Ngannou claims fighters from MMA and kickboxing face an uphill battle that goes beyond what happens in the ring. He believes scoring and officiating decisions are stacked against them regardless of their actual performance.
The controversy has led Ngannou to reconsider his future in professional boxing. He revealed that the uproar around the Usyk-Verhoeven finish has made him strongly question whether pursuing more boxing matches is worth it.
Ngannou says fighters invest months of preparation only to have outcomes dictated by “politics and bad decisions” they cannot control. He hinted he may focus on MMA and PFL commitments unless boxing makes changes.
Calls for Greater Transparency
Ngannou is now calling for greater transparency and independent oversight to restore fighters’ trust in judges and referees. He urges governing bodies to review the Verhoeven stoppage and consider instant-replay mechanisms in major title fights.
The former heavyweight champion argues that fan outrage online shows audiences are increasingly skeptical of boxing’s legitimacy. He believes the pattern of controversial decisions is pushing MMA stars away from crossing over into the sport.
Ngannou publicly sided with Verhoeven after the fight, saying the Dutch heavyweight was denied a fair chance to continue. He describes Verhoeven as being “robbed on the biggest stage” and says fighters pay the price when referees make premature calls.
Usyk improved his record to 25-0 with the victory, while Verhoeven dropped to 1-1 in his boxing career. The Glory kickboxing champion had been cruising through Round 11 and appeared in position to capture a decision before the knockdown occurred.
