Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal round-by-round updates: UFC Des Moines: Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal: Live round-by-round updates

Middleweight prospects collide in the co-main event as Reinier de Ridder takes on Bo Nickal in a battle of high-level grapplers.

De Ridder, 19-2, has looked right at home since arriving in the UFC. He submitted Gerald Meerschaert in his debut and ran through Kevin Holland in January, pushing his submission win total to 13. He brings size, control, and a deep grappling arsenal that has overwhelmed most of his opposition.

Nickal, the unbeaten UFC prospect, enters the fight with a record of 7-0. The former NCAA wrestling standout has steadily built his resume, most recently earning a decision over Paul Craig in New York. Known for his top pressure and finishing instincts, he’s ended six of his seven wins inside the distance and four by submission.

The prelims of UFC Des Moines go down at 4:00 PM PT/ 7:00 PM ET, followed by the main card at 7:00 PM PT/ 10 PM ET. Fans can catch the coverage of the event on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

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Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for the live coverage and play-by-play updates of the Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal clash:

Round 1

Beautiful head movement from Nickal early on. Nickal goes for the clinch after De Ridder's entry to slow down the pace. Short body attacks from Nickal. Strong elbow on the exit from Nickal. De Ridder initiates the clinch and tries to take Nickal down. It's been a battle of the clinches early on in the fight. Stinging knees to the breadbasket from De Ridder. Nickal takes De Ridder down with a modified judo toss. Beautiful scramble from De Ridder and Nickal immediately snatches the neck. De Ridder ends up on top, and this is the first time Nickal has been in the bottom in his professional career. De Ridder is slowly wearing Nickal down in side control and takes his back now. He takes Nickal down on the clinch, and Nickal's left ear is bleeding profusely.

Our Score: 10-9 De Ridder

Round 2

De Ridder hurts Nickal on the feet with wide looping punches. He senses Nickal slowing down and initiates a clinch. Strong knees to the body from De Ridder. He tries to take Nickal down, but follows up with knees that hurt Nickal. De Ridder is making this a dirty fight as he suffocates Nickal with volume striking. De Ridder punctuates the finish with a big left knee to the liver. And that's a wrap!

Official Result

Reinier de Ridder defeats Bo Nickal via TKO at the 1:53 mark of the second round.

About the author

Abhishek Ramadasan Nambiar is a journalist who covers MMA at Sportskeeda. As a long-time practitioner of various martial arts, seeing the fusion of different forms into a quest for the ultimate fighter felt both primal and profoundly technical. At Sportskeeda, Abhishek's primary goal is to offer a fresh and distinctive angle through his writing, aiming to provide readers with more than just the basics of MMA. Along with keeping them informed about the latest developments in the sport, he strives to offer valuable insights that enhance their understanding of MMA.

When not writing about MMA, Abhishek often spends time reviewing music or devouring Brian Evanson's and Blake Crouch's work. Sign up to receive news, regular updates, and exclusive coverage.

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Edited by Abhishek Nambiar