Des Moines, Iowa – UFC fighter Bo Nickal is set to face tough competition in his upcoming bout at UFC Fight Night on May 3 at Wells Fargo Arena. Nickal, with a professional record of 7-0, will take on former ONE Championship champion Reinier de Ridder, who holds a record of 19-2, in a middleweight showdown.
The announcement of the middleweight bout was made official by the UFC on Friday, following reports from Full Send MMA. Nickal, a former collegiate wrestling standout and recipient of the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy, has quickly risen through the ranks since transitioning to MMA. With hopes of one day claiming UFC gold, Nickal is eager to continue his impressive run in the octagon.
De Ridder, a seasoned fighter at the age of 34, made a name for himself in ONE Championship by securing titles in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. Despite some setbacks, including losses of his titles to Anatoly Malykhin, de Ridder has proven his skills in the cage. After signing with the UFC in 2024, he has secured two consecutive submission victories over tough opponents.
In addition to the Nickal vs. de Ridder bout, the UFC Fight Night card on May 3 will also feature exciting matchups such as Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Mason Jones vs. Jeremy Stephens, and Mario Bautista vs. Marlon Vera. The lineup promises to deliver a night of thrilling fights for MMA fans to enjoy.
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