Undefeated No More! Reinier de Ridder Takes Bo Nickal’s ‘O’ with Brutal Body-Shot KO – UFC Des Moines Results (Highlights)

In perhaps the most intriguing fight at UFC Des Moines, former Nittany Lion and undefeated mixed martial artist Bo Nickal returned to the Octagon looking to extend his unbeaten streak against his toughest test to date.

Standing across from him in the cage was former two-division ONE world champion and submission specialist Reinier de Ridder. ‘The Dutch Knight’ made a statement in his first two promotional appearances, submitting both Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland. Now, he looks to make another statement by handing his first career loss. 

Round 1

Things get started early between the two with RDR initiating a clinch. Nickal reverses the position against the cage and maintains control through the first half of the round. Nickal lands a takedown near the fence, getting on top of RDR. Nickal looks for a choke, but RDR scrambles and gets on top, immediately sliding into side control. Nickal gets him back into half guard.

RDR slides back into side control. Nickal gives up his back to get to his feet. Nickal breaks, but not before eating a glancing elbow from RDR just before the horn. 

Round 2

Nickal comes out and immediately clinches up against the fence. RDR reverses and lands a nice knee to the body. RDR tries to trip Nickal, but the former Nittany Lion sees it coming and defends. Nickal appears to have taken a shot to the body that has compromised him. RDR smells blood in the water and unleashes a flurry of strikes. RDR unleashes a knee to the body that folds Nickal, bringing an end to the bout. 

Official Result: Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal via TKO (knee to the body) at 1:53 of Round 2. 

Check Out Highlights From Bo Nickal vs. Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines:

KO! REINIER DE RIDDER TAKES NICKAL'S 0 AND MAKES IT LOOK EASY IN THE SECOND ROUND! #UFCDesMoines pic.twitter.com/WlW4FNEOcy

— PIZZA BOX MMA 🍕👊 (@PIZZABOXMMA) May 4, 2025

UPSET DELIVERED IN IOWA 💥

Reinier de Ridder with a HUGE knockout in round 2! 👊

[ #UFCDesMoines LIVE NOW on ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/aTh9lulep2

— UFC (@ufc) May 4, 2025

REINIER DE RIDDER KNOCKS OUT BO NICKAL TO HAND HIM HIS FIRST MMA LOSS 😱 #UFCDESMOINES pic.twitter.com/Um2kLpFezN

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 4, 2025

Published on May 4, 2025 at 12:37 am

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