Bo Nickal and Reinier de Ridder locked horns in a middleweight clash that served as the co-main event of UFC Des Moines. The event was held on May 3 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
The night did not go well for Nickal, who suffered the first MMA loss of his professional career via a knockout defeat in the second round of the fight.
Aljamain Sterling Reacts to YouTuber Celebrating Bo Nickal’s Loss
Nickal’s loss evoked many reactions from different corners of the MMA world. A YouTuber with an X account named @MMAJOEYC uploaded a video showing his live reaction to the Nickal vs. de Ridder fight.
The individual celebrated Nickal’s loss in the video and went on to take several jibes at him.
“All that wrestling, all that talking about [fighting Khamzat Chimaev],” said the YouTuber. “You got busted up and finished by de Ridder on the feet, and he took your b**ch a** down. Oh my god, get finished. Dude didn’t even fight back… I can tell you he was quitting the whole time. Bro got brutally exposed.”
Bo Nickal got brutally exposed & humiliated last night by my official hitman Reinier de Ridder
Soyboy beta Sean Strickland you’re next pic.twitter.com/A544ZUcxyy
— MMA Joey (@MMAJOEYC) May 4, 2025
Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling took offense at the YouTuber’s comments. He chimed in with a dig after fellow UFC fighter Chase Hooper criticized MMA Joey.
“Coming up, it really helped me get over the hate comments when I realised that these are the type of dudes leaving them lol. Bro is an absolute goober,” Hooper said.
“That guy definitely w**ks it during fights,” wrote Aljamain Sterling.
That guy definitely wanks it during fights.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 5, 2025
MMA Joey was not the only one to slam Nickal over his loss. Several other fans and even fighters took this opportunity to blast him. His previous comments about beating Khamzat Chimaev in a potential fight were publicly mocked on social media.
Dillon Danis uploaded a post on X where he criticized Nickal and claimed to be superior to him.
“One of the best American wrestlers of all time, Bo Nickal, ended up on his knees in the fetal position, gave up from body shots and didn’t even go out fighting on his shield,” said Danis. “When I say these guys aren’t on my level, I’m never wrong.”
One of the best American wrestlers of all time, Bo Nickal, ended up on his knees in the fetal position, gave up from body shots and didn’t even go out fighting on his shield. When I say these guys aren’t on my level, I’m never wrong.
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) May 4, 2025
After the fight, the Colorado native took to Instagram to release his first statement. The 29-year-old uploaded a picture of himself, expressed gratitude, and promised to return to action.
“Grateful for the highs and lows. I’ll be back,” wrote Nickal.
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