Reinier de Ridder is gearing up for his upcoming fight against Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines, and he has some strong opinions about his opponent's past performances. De Ridder noted that Nickal's earlier competition wasn't very challenging, but he did recognize that Nickal showed improvement in his latest match. In that fight, Nickal secured a unanimous decision victory over Paul Craig.
“His last fight wasn’t the best ever, but he performed well and demonstrated some boxing skills,” de Ridder said during UFC Des Moines media day, speaking to outlets including Cageside Press. “His footwork was decent, and his striking is pretty good. He’s a talented kid—very explosive and athletic. Now it’s time to get choked.”
De Ridder, also known as “The Dutch Knight,” comes into this matchup having won his first two fights in the UFC. Meanwhile, Nickal boasts an impressive professional record of 7-0. Despite witnessing some improvement from Nickal in his recent outing, de Ridder feels buoyed with confidence for this fight.
“I’m confident that I won’t repeat the performance from Nickal’s last fight. This won’t be a boring match,” de Ridder stated. “I plan to get in close and land some solid strikes. We’ll create an exciting fight for everyone.”
Although surprised by the matchup initially, de Ridder sees the potential for an entertaining fight. “I think the styles will make for an interesting contest, featuring some exciting wrestling exchanges and jiu-jitsu,” he remarked.
Nickal’s impressive background as a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion helped him rapidly gain popularity in MMA after his transition. De Ridder expressed satisfaction with the matchup and timing, mentioning, “I’m glad he’s a well-known figure in America; he’s considered the Great American Hope right now. This will be my third fight in just six months, so I’m feeling good.”
As fans eagerly await the clash at UFC Des Moines, both fighters bring unique skills and backgrounds that promise an exhilarating showdown.
Watch Reinier de Ridder’s complete UFC Des Moines media day press conference for more insights.
