5 Most Savage Reactions to Bo Nickal’s Humbling Loss at UFC Des Moines

DailyTrend

May 4, 2025 - 13:00

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UFC Des Moines delivered an unforgettable night of action, with fierce finishes and dramatic moments throughout the card. But before the first punch was thrown, all eyes were on the co-main event—a clash that had fans and pundits buzzing with anticipation. It was billed as a proving ground for one of the sport’s most hyped prospects, but it ended in a way few expected. Now, one fighter’s first loss has ignited a social media firestorm, drawing both mockery and measured reflection from fans around the world.

Undefeated rising star Bo Nickal suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of Reinier de Ridder. Known for his decorated past as a two-division MMA champion in ONE Championship, de Ridder entered with elite experience—something Nickal hadn’t yet faced inside the UFC. Despite Nickal’s wrestling pedigree and the immense hype surrounding his undefeated streak, it was de Ridder’s poise and precision that stole the show. The end came in violent fashion, as de Ridder secured a TKO in the second round at 1:53, silencing the crowd and shifting the momentum of Nickal’s previously meteoric rise.

UPSET DELIVERED IN IOWA 💥

Reinier de Ridder with a HUGE knockout in round 2! 👊

[ #UFCDesMoines LIVE NOW on ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/aTh9lulep2— UFC (@ufc) May 4, 2025

The loss triggered a flood of savage responses online—so many, you’d think Twitter turned into a roast battle with Bo Nickal as the main course.

One fan posted, ‘FRAUD CHECK: BO NICKAL ✅ humble lesson to be confident but not cocky.’
Another chimed in: ‘BO SAID HE WOULD BEAT KHAMZAT LMAO’—a jab referencing Khamzat Chimaev, an undefeated UFC welterweight and middleweight contender known for his dominant wrestling and aggressive style.
Harsh criticism kept pouring in: ‘I don't want to hear about Bo Nickal ever again. The UFC finally has a reason to put him on the prelims.’
And perhaps the bluntest: ‘Bo Nickal can't fight’
And ‘American wrestling in shambles!’

Still, some fans offered perspective—because not everyone was ready to throw Bo Nickal into the MMA witness protection program just yet. ‘Bo has already done very well… but RDR was too seasoned,’ one wrote, acknowledging Nickal’s early UFC success. Another said, ‘Those knees were BRUTAL… Bo was trying to prove something instead of taking him down.’ One fan summed it up best: ‘Not an upset —RDR was a 2-division MMA champion. Bo Nickal hasn’t won anything in MMA.’

As for what’s next—Nickal faces a hard reset, but at 29 years old, time is on his side. A return to his wrestling base might be key. De Ridder, on the other hand, reintroduces himself to the UFC fanbase in a massive way, possibly earning a top-5 opponent next. After UFC Des Moines, one thing is clear: hype alone doesn’t win fights—but it sure makes the fallout unforgettable.