UFC's Reinier de Ridder ready for big fights after TKO win over Bo Nickal in Des Moines
UFC's Reinier de Ridder ready for big fights after TKO win over Bo Nickal in Des Moines
Show Caption
Hide Caption
UFC middleweight Reinier de Ridder discusses TKO win over Bo Nickal
UFC middleweight Reinier de Ridder earned a TKO win over Bo Nickal at UFC Fight Night in Des Moines on May 3.
After he delivered a left strike that staggered Bo Nickal backwards, UFC middleweight Reinier de Ridder (20-2) surged forward with a left knee to his opponent's abdomen.
Nickal (7-1) collapsed near the cage before the referee called the fight in round two in favor of the Netherlands-born fighter.
With his arms raised to his side, de Ridder stood upward then blew kisses to a few upset fans in the crowd before he formed a heart-shaped motion to cap off his post-fight celebration at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on May 3.
de Ridder handed Nickal, a four-time Penn State wrestling All-American, the first loss of his mixed martial arts career. He did it with a collection of body shots throughout the fight.
'I felt like every time I hit him to the body, I felt him dropping his hands a little bit, I felt him moving to his right like he was hurt a little bit,' de Ridder said. 'I saw he was hurt (in the second round). I took a step back. I stepped back in; he hit me with a one-two (punch). I was like, 'that's not smart' and then I hit him again to the body, and I got him out of there and I felt he was on his way out already.'
Prior to the middleweight scrap, de Ridder's walkout carried a roar of boos more than his octagon counterpart like a soldier entering enemy territory. Yet, the TKO finish unleashed a high-pitched roar of applause. It was de Ridder's third-straight win in the UFC over the last six months.
Following the fight, de Ridder sported bumps, bruises and a noticeable grin as he took his seat inside the media interview room in the depths of Wells Fargo Arena.
'It wasn't too bad right?' de Ridder said with a smirk post-fight.
The result offered a bit of jubilation and a victory over a rising prospect in Nickal. For de Ridder, the win was a stepping stone to a bigger opportunity against a top-ten fighter in the middleweight division. He called for a fight against former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who is ranked No. 2 in the division.
'As I said in the cage. This was the best American wrestler? Let's do the best American striker,' de Ridder said. 'I like Sean, he's a funny dude, he's a real character … and I think he's an interesting matchup style-wise. He has a very good jab; I don't think my jab is too bad. I would like that fight, I would really like that fight.'
de Ridder has a knack for competition. So much so, he'd fight the following week if it meant that he'd climb the middleweight division at a faster rate. For now, he's enjoying the fruits of his labor focused on a higher-stakes showdown.
Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com, and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘Bones' Issues Statement About His Official Retirement
'Today, I'm officially announcing my retirement from the UFC,' Jones wrote. 'This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I've experienced over the years.' 'From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I'll cherish forever.' 'I've faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person. I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation.' 'To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we've shared inside and outside the cage. As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I'm excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
LIVE! Watch UFC Baku Post-Fight Presser Here
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC With UFC Baku officially done after a fun afternoon (Sat., June 21, 2025) of fights LIVE on ABC/ESPN+ from inside Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan, fight fans can now checkout the post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners. Advertisement On a night that featured a Light Heavyweight headliner between former division champion, Jamahal Hill, and 205-pound title challenger, Khalil Rountree (results here), as well as a co-main event clash between hometown hero, Rafael Fiziev, and Ignacio Bahamondes, there will be a lot to discuss now that the action has concluded. The post-fight presser is scheduled to go LIVE in the above video player around 7 p.m. ET. It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card, as well as UFC CEO, Dana White. For more UFC Baku results, coverage and highlights click HERE. More from
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
UFC Baku live blog: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
This is the live blog for Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., the light heavyweight main event for Saturday's UFC Baku fight card at Baku Crystal Hall in the promotion's first visit to Azerbaijan. Hill looks to bounce back from consecutive knockout losses to Alex Pereira and—most recently at UFC 311 in January—Jiri Prochazka. The former light heavyweight champion seeks his first win in over two years, that being a title-winning decision victory against Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in January 2023. 'Sweet Dreams' makes his 11th walk to the octagon. Advertisement Rountree competes for the first time in 2025. In his most recent outing, the 35-year-old was stopped by Pereira in his first championship bout at UFC 307 this past October in the fourth round. Prior to that, Rountree won five straight, including stoppage wins against Anthony Smith, Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson, and Modestas Bukauskas. Check out the Hill vs. Rountree live blog below. More from
