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Reinier de Ridder Scores Second-Round TKO Over Bo Nickal in First Career Loss, Praises Nickal and Calls Out Sean Strickland

17 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)

Updated May 7, 2025, 10:04 PM

At UFC Des Moines, Reinier de Ridder secured a second-round TKO victory over Bo Nickal, handing Nickal his first professional MMA loss. De Ridder dominated the fight by employing a well-rounded approach that included clinch control, body shots, and constant pressure, effectively neutralizing Nickal's wrestling skills honed over two decades. Despite the loss, de Ridder praised Nickal's skill set and expressed interest in training with him. Nickal acknowledged de Ridder's superior experience and skill, admitting he was not as prepared as he had thought and describing himself as naive rather than overconfident.

Following the fight, Nickal faced criticism and mocking messages but remained unbothered, emphasizing room for improvement. De Ridder, a former ONE FC double champion, called out Sean Strickland after the win and expressed confidence in his abilities against top contenders. UFC figures like Gilbert Burns and Michael Bisping commented on Nickal's rapid rise to championship-level competition, suggesting he needs more experience. The fight has sparked discussions about Nickal's future development and de Ridder's pursuit of UFC gold.

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#UFC Des Moines #Reinier de Ridder #Bo Nickal #Nickal #De Ridder #de Ridder #ONE FC #Sean Strickland #UFC #Gilbert Burns #Michael Bisping

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Sources

sportskeeda.com(4)mmajunkie.usatoday.com(3)bjpenn.com(2)mmafighting.com(2)

Sportskeeda MMA

@sportskeedaMMA

👏 The Russian powerhouse gives props to former rival Reinier de Ridder for his stunning KO win over Bo Nickal! #UFCDesMoines #ONEChampionship | @AnatolyMalykhin https://t.co/ESzysESzou

Sportskeeda MMA

@sportskeedaMMA

Reinier de Ridder Is Coming for Gold! #sportskeedamma #ufc #mma #ufcdesmonies https://t.co/oXdxaDQZDl

Kevin

@realkevink

🚨FIGHTER UPDATE🚨 David Onama Says July or August would be a Good Return Date for his next match per @InsideFighting_ Interview 👀 Who would you like The “Silent Assassin” to face next 🧐 https://t.co/ym2op3iODK