Reinier de Ridder has emerged as a formidable contender, giving Rolly Romero a run for his money in what could be the biggest upset in combat sports this weekend.
The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder stunned the MMA world on Saturday night by defeating Bo Nickal in UFC Des Moines’ middleweight co-main event at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. De Ridder (20-2) secured a knockout victory over the highly-touted Nickal (7-1) in the second round with a relentless flurry of strikes.
Following a competitive first round dominated by ground exchanges, de Ridder took control in the second round by pinning Nickal against the fence and unleashing a series of punishing punches. The onslaught continued after the break, culminating in a devastating knee to Nickal’s midsection that ultimately led to the fight being stopped at 1:53 of the round.
Bo Nickal, known for his exceptional wrestling skills and impressive undefeated record, had high hopes for a victory over de Ridder to propel him into the UFC middleweight rankings. However, it was de Ridder who emerged victorious, handing Nickal his first professional loss and solidifying his own place as a rising star in the UFC.
At 34 years old, the “Dutch Knight” has now improved his UFC record to 3-0, with notable wins over Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland. This latest victory over Nickal cements de Ridder’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division.
For a detailed breakdown of all the action from UFC Des Moines, including highlights and analysis, check out Uncrowned’s live blog of the main card.