Bo Nickal is taking his first professional mixed martial arts defeat in stride.
He recently suffered his initial MMA loss, stopped by Reiner de Ridder in the co-main event of UFC Des Moines. This unexpected setback, particularly given the significant hype surrounding Nickal as a prospect, is being viewed by him as potentially beneficial for his career moving forward.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Nickal described the experience as “crazy” but marked by considerable reflection. He admitted feeling “very disappointed, very frustrated” immediately following the fight but expressed gratitude for his strong foundation of values, stating that his overall goals and self-perception remain unchanged.
Despite his natural aversion to losing, he feels immense gratitude for this particular experience, drawing parallels to previous defeats in his career that served as major catalysts for growth and improvement. He regards this loss purely as a learning opportunity.
While many perceived it as an upset, Nickal insisted he recognized de Ridder as a serious threat and did not underestimate him during his preparation. He believes the true issue was a lack of the necessary experience required at this level of competition.
Nickal stated he felt “super confident” heading into the fight, convinced he had done everything necessary to secure the win. However, upon reflection, he now realizes he “wasn`t as prepared as [he] thought” and has identified numerous areas where he could have prepared differently or focused more effectively.
He elaborated that predicting every variable in a fight is challenging without years of experience and exposure to diverse fighting styles. Looking back at the bout, he noted that de Ridder`s key advantages during the fight were aspects for which he felt unprepared.
A highly decorated three-time NCAA Division I national champion, Nickal was widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects to enter MMA when he transitioned in 2021. His confident demeanor and bold declarations about his abilities sometimes alienated observers, leading some fans and fighters to revel in his defeat as a dose of “humble pie.” Despite this reaction, Nickal maintains he wouldn`t alter his approach.
He firmly stated, “I don’t regret a single thing,” affirming his 100 percent self-belief and willingness to “bet on myself every single time.” He stressed that neither victories nor defeats define him, asserting an unwavering confidence in himself regardless of external opinions or outcomes. He remains dedicated to waking up daily and pursuing his objectives.
He added that he remains “totally confident” in his capabilities and that this loss serves only as an added motivator.
Regarding his immediate future, Nickal doesn`t have specific plans finalized but is eager to return to the cage relatively soon to rebound from the defeat.
He mentioned discussing wanting to fight “ASAP” with his coach Mike Brown but intends to consult with his team to determine the optimal timing. He needs to recover fully and structure a proper training camp, but ideally hopes to compete a couple more times before the year ends, making a prompt return desirable for him.
