There are bad ideas, and then there’s volunteering to take a full-force punch from one of the most feared men in professional kickboxing.
Fitness YouTuber and world-record challenger Stan Browney found that out the hard way when he agreed to face Rico Verhoeven, the former GLORY Heavyweight Champion, in what the fighter calls his “Iron Gut Challenge.”
READ MORE: Rico Verhoeven Vacates His GLORY Heavyweight Championship
The premise is simple — or at least, it sounds that way: stand still, brace your core, and let Verhoeven unload a body shot at full power. The challenge has only been completed by two people before: UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall and 2017 World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.
“But today,” Rico says at the start of the video, “we’re here with a non-fighter. He is a YouTuber, he’s a multiple world record breaker challenger — Stan Browney.”
Stan, who’s built a huge following online through endurance tests, strength challenges, and fitness experiments, didn’t try to hide his nerves. “I am very much afraid,” he admits, already looking like he knows what’s coming.
Verhoeven grins — the calm confidence of a man who has spent years kicking and punching opponents into oblivion. “Tom Aspinall and Eddie Hall took it like a champ,” he reminds Browney.
The warm-up begins with light punches to the stomach, gradually ramping up in intensity. Browney takes them well at first, visibly trying to match Rico’s energy. But by the time the Dutch champion hits about 50% power, the YouTuber is wincing, clutching his midsection, and struggling to breathe.
Then comes the big one. Watch the moment unfold below:
Rico winds up, plants his feet, and lets fly with 100% power — a full-speed, full-weight shot from one of the strongest strikers in combat sports.
The impact folds Browney instantly. He drops to his knees, gasping for air, and eventually lies flat on his back. Verhoeven kneels beside him, checking that he’s conscious and reassuring him like a coach after a knockout.
“Keep breathing, keep breathing, keep breathing,” Rico says, rubbing his back. “The most important thing is to keep breathing.”
When Browney finally sits up, the pain still etched across his face, Rico pats him on the shoulder and says proudly, “He took it like a champ.”
Of course, Browney — in true YouTuber fashion — insists on returning the favour. He steps up and delivers his own “100% punch” to Verhoeven’s stomach. The result? The heavyweight barely moves. He just smirks and says, “Nice.”
The video has since blown up online, pulling in more than 230,000 views within days and flooding the comments section with a mix of laughter, respect, and disbelief.
“Rico seems like the best guy ever, and also like a terrifying beast at the same time,” one viewer wrote.
Another added, “He really did take it like a champ. That 100% was crazy power.”
And a third summed up the general consensus: “You took it like a MAN, nothing but respect!”
For Browney, who’s no stranger to extreme fitness experiments, this one might go down as his most painful. As for Rico Verhoeven — still the undisputed king of kickboxing — it’s just another day in the gym.
And judging by Browney’s face after that punch, it’s safe to say the Iron Gut Challenge isn’t for everyone.
Featured image credit: YouTube/RicoVerhoeven (screenshots)
