Bo Nickal’s first loss got here in brutal vogue.
Matched up with the way more skilled Reinier de Ridder within the UFC Des Moines co-main occasion, Nickal appeared fully outmatched as the previous two-division ONE Champion titleholder outworked him in each section of the sport en-route to a second-round TKO victory.
De Ridder was grounded early on by the three-time NCAA wrestling champion, however utilized his slick grappling to show the tables and find yourself in high place. With thrice as many professional fights as Nickal heading into Saturday, de Ridder by no means appeared rushed or panicked even because the highly effective Nickal went to lock up with him. De Ridder constantly took dangers, working his approach out of bother, and battering Nickal within the standup.
The top got here when de Ridder went to the physique, damaging Nickal with a tough knee up the center and prompting referee Mike Beltran to step in for the stoppage.
Try how the professionals reacted to Nickal’s hype prepare being halted.
Bo nonetheless younger within the sport. Wanted this humble pie
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) Could 4, 2025
The wrestling world has taken successful at the moment. Preserve your head up @NoBickal this isn’t the top. I obtained completed by Demetrious Johnson with an analogous physique shot and I went on to avenge that loss and grow to be champion. You might be able to doing the identical. Get again in your horse brother…
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) Could 4, 2025
Nickal sucks
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) Could 4, 2025
Effectively Bo’s remark about being the higher striker did not age too properly…
BUT he stepped up and competed with a really skilled veteran. And RDR was fearless!!! And it paid off HUGE!#UFCDesMoines— Corey ‘Extra time’ Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) Could 4, 2025
Omg comedy !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) Could 4, 2025
Let’s fucking go rdr with the kill known as him by ko i used to be simply telling my bro on the telephone too loopy
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) Could 4, 2025
Informed yall he was silver again gorilla …. And let’s not overlook Bo is a beast
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) Could 4, 2025
— Mairon “The Legend” Santos (@Maironsantoss) Could 4, 2025
Nasty knees
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) Could 4, 2025
