In a stunning upset at UFC Des Moines, Reinier de Ridder handed Bo Nickal his first professional MMA loss with a brutal TKO victory in the co-main event. De Ridder's well-balanced attack and superior striking proved too much for Nickal, as he delivered a devastating knee to the body that forced the stoppage at 1:53 of the second round.
The bout between de Ridder and Nickal was highly anticipated, with Nickal's wrestling background posing a significant challenge to de Ridder's grappling skills. However, de Ridder's relentless pressure and precise striking ultimately paid off. In the first round, Nickal showed his wrestling prowess, taking de Ridder down and attempting submissions. But de Ridder scrambled out of trouble and gained top position, setting the stage for his dominant performance in the second round.
De Ridder's victory was a testament to his skill and versatility. He used his grappling skills to control the clinch and landed several crucial knees to Nickal's body. As Nickal tried to back away, de Ridder seized the opportunity to land the decisive knee strike that ended the fight.
With this victory, de Ridder improves his UFC record to 3-0, having finished all three of his opponents in the organization. Nickal, on the other hand, suffers his first professional MMA loss, despite being considered a strong favorite going into the fight. De Ridder has now called out Sean Strickland, setting the stage for his next challenge.
UFC Des Moines Results: Highlights and Winners
The UFC Des Moines event took place on May 4, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The main card delivered some thrilling matchups, with Cory Sandhagen emerging victorious against Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO in the second round due to a knee injury. Sandhagen's dominance in the bantamweight division was on full display.
In another highly anticipated bout, Reinier de Ridder pulled off a massive upset against Bo Nickal, winning via TKO in the second round with a devastating knee to the liver. This victory marked Nickal's first professional MMA loss and showcased de Ridder's well-rounded skills.
Daniel Rodriguez also impressed, defeating Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO in the third round. Rodriguez's striking skills proved too much for Ponzinibbio, securing a convincing win.
These results highlight the exciting matchups and impressive performances from the fighters at UFC Des Moines. The event showcased the depth of talent in the UFC and set the stage for future matchups.
