One of the most polarizing prospects in recent years, Bo Nickal, is not entertaining any excuses about his first career defeat.
Nickal, the former three-time NCAA Division 1 National Champion wrestler, looked lost in the cage against former ONE Championship two-weight champion, Reinier de Ridder.
‘RDR’ weaponized the clinch and body work to great effect in the UFC Des Moines co-main event until landing a devastating knee to the liver which put the Penn State alumnus down and out in the second round.
Reinier De Ridder hands Bo Nickal his first loss with a NASTY knee to secure stoppage?‼️#UFCDesMoines
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) May 4, 2025
Fans—or haters, rather—have long accused Nickal of being egotistical or entitled, which led to de Ridder defending him.
However, his answers to Ariel Helwani on Tuesday suggest a mature perspective just three days after his loss.
“He was overall just more well rounded, more skilled and more experienced than me… That’s what it comes down to, he was a better fighter.”
Clearly, Bo is pulling no punches with himself, but that does not mean he is despondent about the loss.
The former All-American is still just 29 and looking at his future inside the Octagon positively.
“I know I need to get better. My goal still remains the same… With my skillset and what I’ve been able to do so far, there is so much room to improve. That’s emphasized even more having been exposed like that.”
BO NICKAL GETS IT DONE IN UNDER A MINUTE! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/IDkLeYpj7F
— UFC (@ufc) September 28, 2022
If Nickal hones his focus in on establishing top control and dominating opponents that way, he can still go far in the UFC middleweight division.
After all, not many—or any—mixed martial artists have a Dan Hodge Trophy, U23 World Championship, and three D1 National Championships at home.
Those who didn’t follow college wrestling really wouldn’t understand just how dominant Bo Nickal was pic.twitter.com/DJP7Fn3Qs5
— ??? (????? ??????? ?.?) (@NotCoachMcGuirk) August 10, 2022
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