Leading up to his fight against Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines, Reinier de Ridder heard extensive talk about Nickal`s impressive wrestling background. However, this did not deter him from challenging the decorated three-time NCAA champion in all areas of the sport during their co-main event clash.
From the outset, de Ridder proactively engaged in the clinch multiple times. He even executed a skillful reversal in the first round, securing top position and seeking submissions. He maintained control in similar grappling exchanges during the second round, eventually creating an opportunity to deliver a series of powerful knees to Nickal`s body.
Despite Nickal being widely discussed as a future champion possessing arguably the best wrestling in MMA, de Ridder demonstrated no hesitation in directly confronting that strength in their fight, a strategy that clearly paid off.
“He is maybe [a god of wrestling], but I think this goes for anything in life, especially in fighting, you should look at what you do good, what you do well,” de Ridder stated at the post-fight press conference. “Don’t be distracted by what anybody else brings to the table. It doesn’t matter. My jiu-jitsu, my judo, my wrestling is so good, I can hang with anybody. It doesn’t matter what they bring.”
Although he hadn`t rewatched the fight yet, de Ridder had a clear understanding of how he shifted the momentum. He first showcased his grappling to control Nickal, then surprised him with his striking proficiency.
By the time the fight concluded, Nickal`s movement appeared labored, which de Ridder attributed directly to the sustained punishment he inflicted with his strikes.
Reflecting on his performance, de Ridder commented, “It wasn’t too bad, right? I got him with some good shots. At a moment in the clinch, I was able to get a little bit of space, get his hips away a little bit with the whizzer then I got him with the knee in the first round. Second round, I ended up on top but I was surprised with how well he did on bottom. It was not easy to get him right away. I wasn’t able to posture right away because he moved pretty well. I was looking for the side choke at a moment but it wasn’t there.”
He described the finish: “I haven’t really seen the finishing sequence but I think I threw the right hook, left knee, hit him coming in and 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. I saw he was hurt, I took a step back, I stepped back in, he hit me with a 1-2 and I was like that’s not smart. Then I hit him again to the body, I think, and then I got him out of there because I felt like he was on his way out already.”
While known primarily for his suffocating submission skills, de Ridder was quick to remind everyone that he hails from the Netherlands, a nation renowned for producing some of combat sports` most formidable strikers.
“I’m still Dutch,” de Ridder affirmed. “I’m still Dutch somewhere deep inside.”
Regarding his next move, de Ridder made his intentions clear from the octagon, calling for a fight against former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Strickland has been inactive since his rematch loss in early 2024 and is currently available.
De Ridder is eager to add Strickland`s name to his resume, even if it means enduring some of Strickland`s infamous verbal attacks.
“I think I might be regretting it in a little bit,” de Ridder joked about Strickland`s trash talk. “As I said in the cage, this was the best American wrestler, let’s see the best American striker.”
He added, “I like Sean. He’s a funny dude. He’s a real character. He’s top five right? I think it’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.”
