Overview

• Reinier de Ridder defeated Bo Nickal with a second-round TKO via a devastating liver knee, ending Nickal’s undefeated record at 7-1.
• Nickal’s loss has sparked scrutiny of his striking skills, size at 185 pounds, and the UFC’s fast-tracking of his career against experienced opponents.
• MMA veterans, including Henry Cejudo and Michael Bisping, have defended Nickal, urging him to learn from the setback and continue developing his game.
• De Ridder, now 3-0 in the UFC, has called for a fight with Sean Strickland, showcasing his ambition to climb the middleweight rankings.
• The anticipated fight between Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev has been postponed indefinitely as Nickal reassesses his trajectory in the sport.