In a surprising turn of events, Bo Nickal is no longer an undefeated blue-chip prospect in the UFC. This past Saturday at UFC Des Moines, Nickal entered the octagon with the intention of showcasing his skills beyond wrestling, facing off against Reinier De Ridder. As the fight approached, fans grew concerned as Nickal shared updates about his weight, indicating that he had to cut a significant amount just a week before the match. Fortunately, he managed to make weight on Friday, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between the two middleweights.
The bout commenced with De Ridder applying early pressure, aiming to keep the previously undefeated Nickal on the defensive. However, Nickal quickly demonstrated his resilience by reversing the position and controlling De Ridder against the cage. Approximately halfway through the first round, the accomplished wrestler scored his first takedown, following it up with a barrage of ground-and-pound strikes directed at De Ridder. Although Nickal attempted to secure a guillotine choke, De Ridder managed to reverse the situation, ending up in a dominant position on top of Nickal.
As the round progressed, both fighters returned to their feet, with De Ridder landing a few significant strikes before the bell rang. In the second round, De Ridder continued to apply pressure, pushing Nickal against the cage and attempting a body lock. Nickal, seemingly on the back foot, faced another knee strike attempt from De Ridder. While the initial knee did not connect cleanly, the second knee found its mark, striking Nickal in the body and sending him to the canvas, ultimately leading to the finish of the fight.
With this unexpected victory, Reinier De Ridder, a former ONE Championship titleholder, has now placed himself within the top 15 of the UFC middleweight division. He is just a few wins away from entering title contention. Following his impressive upset over Nickal, De Ridder expressed a desire to fight former champion Sean Strickland, indicating that he aims to challenge the best American striker after competing against one of the top wrestlers in the sport.
This fight at UFC Des Moines marks a significant moment for both fighters, as Nickal must now regroup and reassess his strategy moving forward, while De Ridder's victory elevates his status in the highly competitive middleweight landscape. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how both athletes navigate their careers following this pivotal matchup.
