Several renowned MMA fighters, including the former UFC double champion, Henry Cejudo, expressed their thoughts after witnessing Bo Nickal endure his first professional MMA defeat against Reinier De Ridder at UFC Des Moines.
A few of them slammed Nickal for failing to maintain his reputation as a surging prospect, but some others supported him, along with hoping for a better future.
Reinier de Ridder Defeats Bo Nickal With an Effective Mix of Striking and Grappling
Bo Nickal stepped into the UFC Des Moines Octagon against Reinier de Ridder with an undefeated 7-0 record. The 29-year-old has dominated most UFC rivals with his class-apart wrestling skills.
Nickal tried his best to use the same approach to gain control over his UFC Des Moines fight. But de Ridder tackled his moves pretty effectively with his masterful BJJ skills.
The fight went to the ground shortly after the start, following a few moments of clinching on the cage. Both fighters controlled the other on the ground, but de Ridder landed a few good knees in the clinch, despite Nickal staying unfazed. Both enjoyed moments of success in the first round, making it a closely contested one.
However, the intense grappling exchange in the first round took a massive toll on Nickal’s cardio as he took several deep breaths with a lowered head during the break. De Ridder took advantage of Nickal’s depleted gas tank in the second round by taking the fight to the ground and making him grapple again.
As Nickal stood up, de Ridder landed another vicious knee on his midsection, making him crumble on the canvas. The fight ended with a second-round TKO defeat for Nickal, his first in his pro-MMA career.
Several noted UFC fighters shared their opinions on social media after witnessing Nickal’s loss to the former ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight titleholder.
The former UFC champ-champ and Olympic wrestling gold medalist, Henry Cejudo, supported Nickal and urged him to keep working and improving.
“The wrestling world has taken a hit today,” Cejudo said. “Keep your head up [Bo Nickal]. This is not the end. I got finished by Demetrious Johnson with a similar body shot, and I went on to avenge that loss and become champion. You are capable of doing the same. Get back on your horse, brother.”
The wrestling world has taken a hit today. Keep your head up @NoBickal this is not the end. I got finished by Demetrious Johnson with a similar body shot and I went on to avenge that loss and become champion. You are capable of doing the same. Get back on your horse brother…
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 4, 2025
De Ridder’s former rival, Kevin Holland, also lauded Nickal’s efforts, besides hailing the Dutch fighter. He said, “Told y’all [de Ridder] was a silverback gorilla …. And let’s not forget Bo is a beast.”
Told yall he was silver back gorilla 🦍…. And let’s not forget Bo is a beast
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) May 4, 2025
However, UFC welterweight Bill Ray Goff thought the fight exposed Nickal: “Hype train derailed.”
Hype train derailed #UFCDesMoines
— Billy Goff (@BilliamGoff) May 4, 2025
A few other noted MMA personas, including Luke Rockhold and Derek Brunson, also shared their thoughts about Nickal’s defeat. Both Rockhold and Brunson blasted Nickal after his loss.
Rockhold said, “Nickal sucks”, while Brunson tweeted, “Omg, comedy !”
Sergio Pettis thought the loss would serve Nickal well to improve in the future. “Bo [is] still young in the game. Needed this humble pie,” he said.
“Well, Bo’s comment about being the better striker didn’t age too well… BUT he stepped up and competed with a very experienced veteran. And RDR was fearless!!! And it paid off HUGE!” commented Corey Anderson.
In a previous interview, De Ridder mentioned that many fans wanted him to defeat Nickal at UFC Des Moines.