Reinier de Ridder Silences Critics, Dominates Bo Nickal with Surprising Grappling Mastery at UFC Des Moines

For weeks, all we heard was how Bo Nickal’s wrestling pedigree would be too much for anyone in the UFC middleweight division. The three-time NCAA Division I national champion was supposed to steamroll Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines. But sometimes, the MMA gods have different plans.

When the cage door closed last Saturday night, we witnessed something few expected: “The Dutch Knight” not only survived but thrived against America’s most hyped wrestling prospect.

David vs. Goliath: How De Ridder Flipped the Script

I’ve been covering this sport for years, and let me tell you – the look on everyone’s faces when de Ridder secured that first takedown was priceless. Here was Nickal, the wrestling phenom with the perfect 5-0 record, suddenly on his back against the wall.

“Everyone kept telling me how I’d get outwrestled,” de Ridder told reporters post-fight, wiping blood from a small cut above his eye. “I just smiled and nodded. Sometimes it’s better to show than tell.”

And show he did. The former ONE Championship two-division champion repeatedly took Nickal down, controlled him on the ground, and made the American look surprisingly ordinary in the grappling exchanges that were supposed to be his bread and butter.

The Gameplan That Shocked the MMA World

De Ridder’s approach was brilliant in its simplicity: pressure Nickal early, test his cardio, and take the fight to places where the American had never been tested as a professional.

By the second round, Nickal’s much-discussed gas tank was already showing cracks. De Ridder, meanwhile, seemed to grow stronger as the fight progressed.

*Insert image of de Ridder taking Nickal down in the second round here*

The Wrestling Credentials That Everyone Overlooked

While everyone focused on Nickal’s NCAA championships, many overlooked de Ridder’s own grappling résumé. The Dutchman isn’t just a black belt in BJJ – he’s been implementing his grappling against elite competition for years across multiple organizations.

“People get caught up in credentials,” said UFC veteran and commentator Michael Bisping. “De Ridder showed tonight that MMA wrestling is a different beast than collegiate wrestling. Experience in the cage trumped pedigree.”

What This Means for Both Fighters

For Nickal, this loss is a harsh but necessary reality check. The path to UFC gold is rarely a straight line, and this setback will likely make him a more complete fighter in the long run.

For de Ridder, this victory catapults him into the middleweight title conversation. Dismantling the UFC’s most prized prospect is the kind of statement that can’t be ignored.

“I’ve been saying I belong among the elite for years,” de Ridder said at the post-fight press conference. “Maybe now people will start listening.”

What’s Next for The Dutch Knight?

With this performance, de Ridder has likely earned himself a top-10 opponent next. Names like Jared Cannonier, Paulo Costa, or even former champion Robert Whittaker make sense as potential matchups.

Whoever UFC matchmakers put across from him, one thing is certain: nobody will be underestimating Reinier de Ridder’s wrestling credentials again.

The Lesson for MMA Fans

If there’s one takeaway from UFC Des Moines, it’s that MMA remains the most unpredictable sport in the world. Paper credentials only matter until the cage door closes.

Sometimes the narrative leading into a fight is completely flipped on its head when the actual fighting begins. That’s why we love this sport, isn’t it?

For local MMA fans here in Brevard County, we’ve got several upcoming events featuring rising talents who dream of reaching the UFC someday. Who knows – maybe one of them will be the next underdog to shock the world.

Want More MMA Coverage?

What did you think of de Ridder’s performance? Did you expect him to dominate Nickal in the wrestling department? Let me know in the comments below!

Don’t miss our upcoming coverage of UFC events and local MMA action right here in Brevard County. The next rising star might be training just down the street from you!

Source: UFC Des Moines Official Results