The sport of kickboxing has lost two of its legends in quick succession.

Rico Verhoeven walked away from kickboxing after cementing his GOAT status at GLORY 100 in June.

Dana White’s right-hand man recently revealed that the UFC has tried and failed to sign Verhoeven.

Now, another kickboxing icon has announced that they will be retiring from fighting.

Nieky Holzken retires

On Sunday, Nieky Holzken shared an emotional statement confirming his retirement on social media.

‘The Natural’ is best known for being one of the most accomplished welterweights in modern kickboxing.

Holzken won multiple world тιтles in his first sport before crossing over to boxing and building an impressive 15-1 record, with his only defeat coming against former WBA and Ring Magazine super middleweight champion Callum Smith.

“After a lot of reflection, I’ve made one of the hardest decisions of my life. I am stepping away from my active career,” Holzken wrote on Instagram.

“More than 150 fights, competed all over the world. 7 world тιтles in kickboxing. A lifetime of discipline, sacrifice, highs, and lows. The ring was my home. The fight was my life. I’ve won, I’ve lost, I’ve fallen — and I always got back up.

“I want to thank my fans for the unconditional support. My trainers, team, and sparring partners — none of this would have been possible without you. My opponents — thank you for the respect and the lessons. And my family and friends — you were my foundation.

“I look back with pride and graтιтude on everything I’ve achieved. I close this chapter with my head held high.

“This is not a goodbye to the sport. This is the beginning of a new chapter. Make champions in my gym.”

Rico Verhoeven vs Oleksandr Usyk

While Nieky Holzken appears to be done with all forms of fighting, Rico Verhoeven is not.

Turki Alalshikh wants Oleksandr Usyk to face the kickboxing legend in a huge crossover fight.

Verhoeven has suggested a wild ruleset for the Oleksandr Usyk fight that boxing’s most powerful man hopes to make in 2026.

“That is the challenge I’ve been waiting for,” he tweeted.

“UNDISPUTED vs UNDISPUTED.

“1 round boxing / 1 round kickboxing.

“Let’s see if we can get to 12.”

Usyk has reposted Turki Alalshikh’s tweet about him fighting Verhoeven, but he’s yet to comment on the potential clash.