De Ridder Reveals What He Felt During Epic Submission of Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines
In what might go down as the upset of the year, Reinier de Ridder shocked the MMA world with his submission victory over the heavily favored Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines. The Dutch challenger has now opened up about what was going through his mind during those critical moments that led to his stunning victory.
I’ve seen upsets in my decades covering the sport, but this one had me jumping out of my seat.
The Moment Everything Changed
Reinier de Ridder, the former ONE Championship two-division champion, entered the UFC octagon as a massive underdog against the wrestling phenom Bo Nickal. What transpired next left fans and analysts alike in disbelief.
“When I locked in that submission, I felt his panic,” de Ridder revealed in his post-fight interview. “There’s this moment when you’ve got someone trapped and you can feel their confidence drain away. That’s exactly what happened with Bo.”
The Dutchman explained that despite Nickal’s wrestling credentials, he sensed vulnerability once the fight hit the ground in a position Nickal wasn’t used to defending.
Technical Breakdown of the Submission
What makes this finish particularly impressive is how de Ridder turned the tables on Nickal, who was considered the superior grappler by many heading into the bout.
“I felt his weight shift when he tried to escape. That’s when I knew I had him,” de Ridder explained. “He’s so used to being the dominant one on the ground that when the roles reversed, there was a split second of hesitation from him. That’s all I needed.”
The submission sequence showcased de Ridder’s patience and technical prowess. Rather than rushing, he methodically tightened his grip until Nickal had no choice but to tap.
Fighter Reactions to the Upset
The MMA community erupted with reactions following the unexpected result:
- Kamaru Usman tweeted: “That’s why we fight the fights. Rankings and predictions mean nothing once that cage door closes.”
- Charles Oliveira commented: “Welcome to the UFC where anything can happen. Beautiful submission work!”
- Jon Jones simply posted: “Impressive.”
Even UFC President Dana White seemed shocked at the post-fight press conference, stating, “This is why MMA is the most unpredictable sport in the world.”
What’s Next for De Ridder?
With this career-defining victory, de Ridder has instantly established himself as a serious contender in the UFC’s middleweight division.
“I didn’t come to the UFC to be just another fighter,” de Ridder stated firmly. “I came here to become champion, and tonight was just the first step.”
When asked about potential next opponents, the Dutchman wasn’t shy about his ambitions: “I’ll fight anyone they put in front of me, but I believe I’ve earned a top-10 opponent with this performance.”
The Impact on Nickal’s Career
For Bo Nickal, this marks the first defeat of his professional MMA career. The wrestling standout had been touted as a future champion since signing with the UFC, with some comparing his potential to that of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“Everyone tastes defeat at some point,” de Ridder said about his opponent. “Bo is young and talented. How he responds to this setback will define his career moving forward.”
MMA history is filled with champions who faced early career defeats only to come back stronger. This loss might ultimately make Nickal a more complete fighter in the long run.
The Tactical Brilliance Behind the Victory
Looking back at the fight, it’s clear that de Ridder executed a perfect gameplan against the American wrestler.
“We knew Bo would be dangerous in the first round,” de Ridder revealed. “My team and I prepared for his explosive wrestling entries. The longer the fight went, the more I felt it would shift in my favor.”
This patience proved key as de Ridder weathered the early storm before finding his opportunity to turn the tables and secure the stunning submission.
What This Means for the Middleweight Division
De Ridder’s victory reshuffles the deck in the middleweight division. A fighter with his submission prowess and championship experience from another organization immediately becomes a wildcard in the UFC’s 185-pound title picture.
With current champion Dricus du Plessis looking for challengers, de Ridder’s name will certainly be in the conversation if he can string together another impressive win.
The upset victory serves as a reminder that in MMA, specialization in one discipline is never enough. Even with Nickal’s wrestling pedigree, it was de Ridder’s more well-rounded submission grappling that proved decisive.
Final Thoughts
This fight will be remembered as one of those magical MMA moments where the underdog defies the odds and reminds us all why we love this sport. For Reinier de Ridder, it’s a career-defining victory that instantly establishes him as a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.
For fans who witnessed it live, it’s another reminder of why we never count anyone out in this unpredictable sport.
Source: BJPENN.com