At UFC Des Moines on May 3, 2025, Bo Nickal suffered his first professional loss, a second-round TKO at the hands of Reinier de Ridder. The defeat has sparked widespread discussion, with reactions ranging from criticism to support.

 The Fight

Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, entered the fight with an undefeated record. However, de Ridder, a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder, showcased his striking prowess, landing a decisive knee to Nickal’s body in the second round, leading to the stoppage. This victory marked de Ridder’s fourth consecutive win in the UFC, improving his record to 4-0.

Reactions and Analysis

The MMA community has been vocal in its response to the bout. UFC legend Michael Bisping defended Nickal, acknowledging the pressure of high expectations and emphasizing that the loss doesn’t diminish Nickal’s potential. Conversely, UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis criticized Nickal’s overconfidence and suggested the loss was a humbling experience.

Dana White had previously noted that Nickal “needs work” after his UFC 309 performance against Paul Craig, indicating that the promotion was aware of areas for improvement.

 Looking Ahead

Despite the setback, Nickal remains a promising talent in the middleweight division. He has expressed a commitment to learning from the loss and returning stronger. The UFC is expected to carefully consider his next matchup to facilitate his growth and development in the sport.