Bo Nickal News
Major name no longer on UFC 322 main card
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 2, 2025
While one big name will still compete at UFC 322, he has been bumped from the main card. When the UFC 322 bout order was initially revealed, many voiced their displeasure over Bo Nickal being slated for the main card. Nickal is coming off a TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder and many felt he wasn’t deserving of a main card spot, given how stacked the event is.
Bo Nickal gets his wish and will make MMA return at UFC 322
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2025
UFC prospect Bo Nickal is set to get his wish and make his return to competitive mixed martial arts at UFC 322. As we know, Bo Nickal is a pretty interesting figure within the world of MMA. Ever since making the transition over from amateur wrestling, he has been pretty vocal in his belief that he’s one of the best fighters on the planet. Alas, more often than not, fighters with that kind of confidence come crashing back down to earth. For Bo, that happened in his last Octagon appearance.
Bo Nickal set to return to wrestling following disastrous UFC loss
BJ Penn Staff - July 2, 2025
Bo Nickal is shifting gears after his first UFC loss. Nickal, a decorated amateur wrestler, started 2025 as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC. Then he ran into Reinier de Ridder. De Ridder, a former ONE Championship titleholder, absolutely dominated Nickal when they met in early May, handing the wrestling specialist his first MMA loss with a second-round TKO.
Iowa wrestling trolls Bo Nickal following defeat to Reinier de Ridder
Harry Kettle - May 21, 2025
Iowa wrestling have trolled Bo Nickal in the wake of his one-sided defeat at the hands of Reinier de Ridder recently. As we know, Reinier de Ridder defeated Bo Nickal in their recent UFC Des Moines showdown. While many knew it was going to be the toughest test of Bo’s career up to this point in mixed martial arts, few could’ve expected how one-sided it would be. The wrestling sensation was controlled and dominated in pretty much every department, with de Ridder proving that he is an elite middleweight contender.
Bo Nickal sends fiery message to haters after first career loss: "I'll spit right in your face"
Cole Shelton - May 9, 2025
Bo Nickal has sent a fiery message to his haters and doubters after his first career loss. Nickal suffered a second-round TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines in a stunning result. After the loss, many fans took aim at Nickal and criticized his skill set after the loss.
UFC Hall of Famer defends Bo Nickal following first career loss in Des Moines
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 7, 2025
A one-time UFC champion has come to the defense of Bo Nickal. Fans witnessed the first pro MMA loss in the young career of Nickal this past Saturday. Nickal took on the experienced de Ridder in the UFC Des Moines co-headliner. Things certainly didn’t go the way Nickal planned. The once unbeaten prospect couldn’t handle the pressure of the former two-division ONE Championship titleholder, and he crumpled after receiving a knee to the body in the second stanza.
Reinier de Ridder doesn’t get UFC rankings boost despite Bo Nickal victory
Harry Kettle - May 7, 2025
UFC contender Reinier de Ridder has not been moved further up the middleweight rankings despite his win over Bo Nickal. Last Saturday night, Reinier de Ridder really arrived in the UFC’s middleweight division. While he’d already picked up a couple of wins prior to his triumph over Bo Nickal, this was the time for him to really test himself against one of the most hyped fighters in the entire sport. He passed the test with flying colours, dominating Nickal from pillar to post before finishing him with a nasty knee to the stomach.
Bo Nickal admits he got 'exposed' in devastating UFC loss to Reinier de Ridder
BJ Penn Staff - May 6, 2025
UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal got his first taste of defeat in MMA last Saturday, suffering a devastating TKO loss to Reinier De Ridder. He is not shying away from the experience. Nickal met De Ridder in the co-main event of the UFC’s debut in Des Moines, Iowa. It was the wrestling standout’s chance to improve to 8-0 as a pro and vault into the middleweight rankings, but it was not meant to be. Instead, Nickal was dominated by De Ridder in round one, and finished by a knee to the body in round two.
Bo Nickal's 'tough weekend' might have been needed, says one veteran UFC coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2025
One well-known head coach has shared his opinion on Bo Nickal’s first pro MMA defeat. Nickal took on Reinier de Ridder in the UFC Des Moines co-headliner this past Saturday. While a win for Nickal would’ve put him in the top 15 UFC middleweight rankings, it wasn’t meant to be. It was the relentless pressure of de Ridder in the standup that overwhelmed the once unbeaten fighter. Nickal was ultimately stopped with a knee to the body in the second stanza.
Reinier de Ridder explains what happened when he finished Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines
Harry Kettle - May 5, 2025
Reinier de Ridder has explained what he felt in the midst of his finishing sequence against Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines. On Saturday night, Reinier de Ridder really announced himself to the mixed martial arts world. While he’d already picked up two wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship prior to the Bo Nickal fight, this was the biggest name he’d faced by far. A lot of people were counting him out as a result of the hype surrounding Nickal but in the end, the Dutchman was able to get the job done in convincing fashion.
Bo Nickal shares brief words following UFC Des Moines loss to Reinier de Ridder
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 4, 2025
Bo Nickal kept things short in his reaction following a second-round TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder. The UFC middleweight fight was held inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Nickal was undefeated going into the fight, but de Ridder’s pressure ending up winning the evening. The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder scored the finish after landing a series of strikes that was topped off by a knee to the body that sent Nickal crashing to the mat.
Pros react after Reinier de Ridder TKO's Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines
Chris Taylor - May 3, 2025
Tonight’s UFC Des Moines fight card was co-headlined by a highly anticipated middleweight bout between Bo Nickal and Reinier de Ridder. Nickal (7-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since this past November at UFC 309, where he outpointed veteran Paul Craig on route to a unanimous decision victory. The 29-year-old had previously gone a perfect 4-0 inside of the Octagon, earning stoppage wins in three of those four contests.
Reinier de Ridder puzzled by disdain for Bo Nickal ahead of UFC Des Moines
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 2, 2025
Reinier de Ridder senses that many fans and fighters don’t like Bo Nickal, and he doesn’t understand why that is the case. De Ridder will share the Octagon with Nickal in the co-main event of UFC Des Moines on Saturday. While Nickal wasn’t the first choice of opponent for the No. 13-ranked middleweight, de Ridder likes the booking because he’s facing a rising name. There has been a ton of buzz surrounding Nickal ever since his UFC debut.
UFC Des Moines weigh-in results: Bo Nickal, de Ridder, 'Figgy,' and Cory Sandhagen make weight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 2, 2025
The UFC Des Moines weigh-ins are in the books, and fans will be pleased to know that there is no pre-fight drama. Headliners Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo tipped the scales on Friday morning and hit their target weights. Sandhagen clocked in at 135.5 pounds, while Figueiredo hit the 135-pound mark.
UFC commentator urges Bo Nickal to be more aggressive at UFC Des Moines
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2025
UFC commentator Paul Felder has urged Bo Nickal to be more aggressive when he battles Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines. Up to this point in his career, Bo Nickal has faced a lot of interesting challenges. However, in mixed martial arts, you could certainly argue he hasn’t gone against anyone quite like Reinier de Ridder. The former ONE Championship star poses all kinds of interesting challenges for him to try and overcome and given how much he’s spoken about becoming a champion, this is a test that Bo needs to pass.
Bo Nickal responds to strange challenge from YouTuber MrBeast
Harry Kettle - April 29, 2025
UFC star Bo Nickal has responded to an insane idea that has been pitched by famous yet controversial YouTuber MrBeast. We’re all aware of the fact that Bo Nickal is an incredibly dangerous fighter. Within the context of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, many believe he has what it takes to become a title contender one day. Of course, he’s taking his time in building up his name value right now, but the goal is still a simple one: win the gold and establish yourself as one of the very best in all of mixed martial arts.
Reinier De Ridder reveals surprising strategy for Bo Nickal fight at UFC Des Moines
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 27, 2025
Reinier De Ridder thinks he knows the direction his fight with Bo Nickal could go. De Ridder and Nickal are scheduled to collide at UFC Des Moines on May 3. It’s a big opportunity for both men. For De Ridder, it’s a chance to end the hype train of a rising 185-pounder. On the flipside, Nickal gets the opportunity to make his debut on the official UFC middleweight rankings.
Reinier De Ridder explains why he likes Bo Nickal booking for UFC Des Moines
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 19, 2025
Bo Nickal wasn’t Reinier De Ridder’s first choice for his next opponent, but he has no complaints. De Ridder and Nickal will collide on the UFC Des Moines card on May 3. It’s Nickal’s chance to enter the top 10 UFC middleweight rankings for the first time. As for De Ridder, he admits that he wasn’t expecting to receive the bout offer to fight the surging 185-pounder.