MMA News
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.
Don't expect Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad to squash beef anytime soon
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 6, 2025
Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad aren’t even close to squashing their beef. Usman and Muhammad have been at odds since “Remember the Name” captured the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2024. The two agreed to air out their grievances on an unreleased episode of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, but things boiled over between the two.
Injured UFC star reveals infection prior to devastating loss in Des Moines
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 6, 2025
One former UFC champion claims he was infected prior to his defeat this past weekend. The UFC was back on the road for a Fight Night card in Des Moines. The event saw Bo Nickal suffer the first loss of his pro MMA career against Reinier de Ridder. There was also the main event flyweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. While “Figgy” had some moments in the fight, they were few and far between.
Daniel Cormier concerned after top UFC prospect suffers first loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 6, 2025
Daniel Cormier has some concerns after a once-unbeaten UFC star suffered his first loss. UFC Des Moines featured a flyweight main event between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo, but the co-headliner showcased a top prospect going one-on-one with a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder. Bo Nickal tried his hand against Reinier de Ridder, and it proved to be too much too soon. Nickal was stopped via second-round TKO.
Mateusz Gamrot slams Benoit Saint-Denis for allegedly turning him down as new UFC 315 opponent: “Grow some balls!”
Harry Kettle - May 6, 2025
Mateusz Gamrot has slammed Benoit Saint-Denis for reportedly turning him down as a new opponent for UFC 315. While he may have had a few setbacks, Mateusz Gamrot is still one of the most intriguing lightweight contenders in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Polish sensation is capable of mixing it up with anyone in the top 15, and although he isn’t seen by many as a legitimate title threat, he certainly has the potential to get to that level based on the evidence presented thus far.
Sam Alvey calls out Eddie Hall following highlight reel KO of kickboxing legend at Karate Combat 54
Harry Kettle - May 6, 2025
Karate Combat champion Sam Alvey has called for a showdown with Eddie Hall following his recent win over Tyrone Spong. Since leaving the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Sam Alvey has enjoyed the kind of resurgence that very few people would’ve seen coming. He’s always had a great personality, and you could make the argument that it’s one of the reasons why the UFC kept him around for so long. Now, though, he’s starting to put in the work necessary to raise his profile in the pit.
What's next for Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo after UFC Des Moines?
Cole Shelton - May 6, 2025
The UFC was in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, May 3, for UFC Des Moines. In the main event, bantamweight contenders threw down as Cory Sandhagen took on Deiveson Figueiredo in a pivotal bout. Entering the fight, Sandhagen was coming off a decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov, which snapped his three-fight winning streak. Figueiredo, meanwhile, was coming off a decision loss to Petr Yan, which was his first loss at bantamweight after going 3-0.
UFC fans question Benoit Saint-Denis’ new short notice opponent for UFC 315
Harry Kettle - May 6, 2025
UFC fans have questioned the new opponent that Benoit Saint-Denis has been given on short notice heading into UFC 315. For the longest time, it seemed as if Benoit Saint-Denis was the next big thing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately, that reputation has taken a bit of a knock as of late. In his two fights in 2024, the Frenchman was finished in brutal fashion by both Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano. Now, he’s aiming to prove to the masses that he still has what it takes to be a top contender.
Belal Muhammad explains why he's surprised Ian Machado Garry is the backup fighter at UFC 315
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2025
Belal Muhammad is surprised Ian Machado Garry is serving as the backup fighter for UFC 315. Muhammad is set to defend his welterweight title for the first time against Jack Della Maddalena on Saturday in Montreal in the main event of UFC 315. After Garry beat Carlos Prates, he revealed he’d be the backup fighter, which caught the champ by surprise.
Former Jon Jones rival admits part of him wants to see 'Bones' retire instead of fighting Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2025
Should Jon Jones ditch the Tom Aspinall fight and ride off into the sunset? UFC CEO Dana White has maintained optimism when it comes to booking a heavyweight title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall. Not everyone is convinced, as there still hasn’t been an announcement. Aspinall has been the interim champion since Nov. 2023 and he even successfully defended the gold against Curtis Blaydes.
Dana White's involvement in Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight is good for boxing, says UFC legend
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer has explained why Dana White’s involvement in the promotion of Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford is positive for boxing. Combat sports fans were stunned after Saudi Arabia’s Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, announced that White would help promote Alvarez vs. Crawford. The super fight is scheduled to take place on Sept. 12.
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.
Belal Muhammad looks to Georges St-Pierre's UFC welterweight title reign for inspiration
Harry Kettle - May 5, 2025
UFC champion Belal Muhammad has spoken of his admiration for former welterweight king Georges St-Pierre ahead of UFC 315. This Saturday night, Belal Muhammad will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Jack Della Maddalena. He’ll do so in the main event of UFC 315 which is set to go down in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. While a lot of people believe that JDM has a chance at pulling off the upset, the popular opinion seems to be that Belal will successfully retain the belt that he won from Leon Edwards.
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.
Deiveson Figueiredo vows to be back after UFC Des Moines defeat
Harry Kettle - May 5, 2025
Deiveson Figueiredo has vowed to come back from his nasty knee injury that he suffered in the main event of UFC Des Moines. On Saturday night, Deiveson Figueiredo fell short in the main event of UFC Des Moines. He went up against Cory Sandhagen and he just wasn’t really able to compete in a way that was going to lead to victory. In addition to losing, though, he also suffered a nasty knee injury which looks set to keep him out of action for an undisclosed period of time.
Jack Della Maddalena lays out his plan for UFC 315 main event
Harry Kettle - May 5, 2025
UFC contender Jack Della Maddalena has laid out his plan for this weekend’s UFC 315 welterweight championship main event. On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena will attempt to become the welterweight champion of the world. It’s a goal that he’s been working towards for years and now, it’s within touching distance. Alas, in order to take home the gold, he needs to get through Belal Muhammad, who has looked pretty unbeatable over the course of the last few years.
ONE Fight Night 32 gets massive headliner between two KO artists
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 5, 2025
On Friday, June 6, #4-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Nakrob Fairtex will face surging striker Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi in a flyweight Muay Thai battle inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The two decorated knockout artists will headline ONE Fight Night 32 in a contest that promises to be a barnburner from the get-go.
Former UFC middleweight standout's contract ends after 15-year run
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 4, 2025
A long-time 185-pounder on the UFC roster no longer has a contract. Fans are used to receiving news of UFC roster cuts. As the number of new acquisitions are made, the promotion cuts ties with certain fighters. Many times, an athlete is let go after a string of losses. Other times, fighters can withstand the wave of releases because of their exciting fighting style or popularity.