Latest news with #BoNickal
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi: Psychologist-turned-UFC fighter aims for knockout punch
It's hard to mistake Reinier de Ridder's quiet conviction when he talks about Abu Dhabi. There's reverence in his voice. Not just because he's headlining UFC Fight Night on July 26 at the iconic Etihad Arena, but because the UAE capital is where everything once seemed possible, and now, it's where it all comes full circle. In just under a year, 'The Dutch Knight' has gone from debutant to main eventer. He's done it with ruthless clarity — three fights, three finishes. A pair of signature submissions over Gerald Meerschaert, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Kevin Holland, who earned two Performance of the Night bonuses in 2025 (vs. Nelson, Luque). His UFC arrival wasn't quiet. It was calculated and clinical, and his statement of intent came loudest at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, in May, where he fought on the Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo card. Facing Bo Nickal, the Olympic-calibre wrestling phenom who had bulldozed his way through early UFC opposition, De Ridder flipped the script. In a fight billed as 'grappler vs grappler', it was 'The Dutch Knight' who brandished the sharper sword. Stuffing out Nickal's early takedown attempts, he then punished the 2019 U23 World 2020 Olympic Team Trials finalist with slicing elbows and crisp clinch work, before ending it all with a stunning second-round TKO. Now, he faces Robert Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion and perennial Samоan–Māori elite, in a clash that could rewire the middleweight title landscape. 'It's very cool,' De Ridder told Khaleej Times. 'To be fighting Robert, a former champ, as the main event in Abu Dhabi, a place that's very dear to me, that's special.' Special, yes. But sentiment won't cloud strategic thinking. De Ridder isn't just bringing heart to Abu Dhabi; he's bringing a game plan. A man of many layers and accomplishments, including black belts in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo, a trained physiotherapist, and a former psychologist, he's dissecting this fight with the precision of a surgeon as Whittaker, a dangerous and decorated opponent, is his most complex puzzle yet. The Dutchman has fought killers already, yet it's not the names or make-up of his opponents, it's how he's won that demands total attention. When asked how his recent streak reflects on his evolution in the UFC Octagon, his answer was crisp but revealing: 'I've been working hard on everything. I've been kickboxing for over 10 years, but jiu jitsu was my first love, and it always will be. That said, if I can land some good knees, some elbows... that'd be nice too.' 'The art of becoming complete' De Ridder doesn't just see himself as a skilled submission artist with knockout potential. He sees himself as a complete fighter in constant refinement. 'The grappling is my identity, it's what I love to show,' he said. 'But the striking, the wrestling, the Muay Thai, the judo, those are all crucial too. Hopefully, I get to show it all in Abu Dhabi.' That's where this fight gets intriguing. Whittaker is riding high off a statement win in Riyadh, where he flattened the undefeated Russian fighter Ikram Aliskerov, a four-time world champion in 'combat sambo' and dangerous grappler, in under three minutes. But it's his resume that speaks volumes with standout victories over Yoel Romero (twice), Derek Brunson, Jared Cannonier, Kelvin Gastelum, Marvin Vettori, the who's who of the middleweight division. He has only suffered two setbacks, to the truly elite of the division - New Zealand's Israel Adesanya (twice) and the explosive South African Dricus du Plessis. But De Ridder believes in exposing Whittaker's flaws and perhaps even exploiting the one crack he sees in Whittaker's armour. 'I'd love to find his neck,' he said. 'I think there are takedown openings we can exploit. I'll aim to grind him down. But if I can hear some good knees, some good elbows, then that'd be nice too..' The UAE connection UFC Fight Night on July 26 isn't De Ridder's first dance in the Emirates. Before UFC lights, he was grinding through brackets. 'Abu Dhabi was the first place I really achieved something major, winning the World Pro (Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship), and for the first time, making money doing sports,' he recalls. 'It was very special for me as well. 'And then last year, when I had a lot of trouble going on with the One Championship, where I was unable to get fights there, I was in a very tough position. Abu Dhabi really saved my career in a big way, giving me a fight there at UAE Warriors, supporting me.' De Ridder seized the opportunity with both his gloved hands and defeated Magomedmurad Khasaev via first-round TKO on his promotional debut in July 2024. As a newcomer, he was just realising what the sport could do for his career. 'I'm really thankful to everybody at UAE Warriors and Abu Dhabi will always have a special place in my heart,' he said. This connection makes July 26 not just another fight as he attempts to scale the middleweight division, but a homecoming of sorts. Brains behind the brawn De Ridder's technical polish isn't accidental. He's a lifelong student of the human body and the mind. Trained as a physiotherapist and psychologist, he understands how to push limits without breaking down. 'It's helped me a lot,' he said. 'I know how much I can do in training, where to hold back, what matters most. It's very useful for me to know a lot about the body, and I know what I can do in training, what the important stuff is. 'Over the last few years, I haven't been working as a physical therapist as much anymore, and we recently even closed the practice that I used to own and work in. But it's always been a very nice part of my life, and maybe I'll return to it one day. For now, though, everything is focused on July 26. With the UFC middleweight division in flux — Sean Strickland dethroned, Du Plessis rising, and Israel Adesanya looming again – the Abu Dhabi Showdown could shape the next contender. International betting trends give Whittaker a slight edge, but De Ridder's unbeaten UFC streak gives him all the momentum. A knight rises De Ridder isn't chasing hype. He's hoping to build a legacy. From a kid grinding on combat sports mats in the Netherlands to double-gold in ONE Championship… from UAE Warriors to UFC headliner… from therapist to technician… his path has been well thought out. And now that he's back in a city that helped shape him, De Ridder has a chance to etch his name into UFC history, with Whittaker as the final test before the title. 'It really depends on how this fight goes,' he said, steady as ever. 'But I'm ready for that shot. I'm ready to show the world. If I can finish him spectacularly, then I think I really have something to say about a title shot.'
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC Star Bo Nickal Signs With Hulk Hogan's New Wrestling Promotion
UFC Star Bo Nickal Signs With Hulk Hogan's New Wrestling Promotion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The combat sports landscape is evolving, with MMA fighters increasingly venturing into other disciplines—from boxing to bare-knuckle fighting—in pursuit of new challenges and bigger paydays. Francis Ngannou's near-upset of Tyson Fury in 2023 reignited interest in MMA-boxing crossovers, while Conor McGregor's 2017 bout with Floyd Mayweather set the blueprint for lucrative hybrid fights. Even retired UFC stars like Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva have tested their skills in the boxing ring, capitalizing on their name recognition for career-defining payouts. Advertisement Now, the sport of freestyle wrestling is a new option, with former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle (RAF) becoming the latest destination for elite athletes seeking fresh opportunities. Former WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan before the fight between Colby Covington and Joaquin Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Penn State wrestling legend and currently active UFC middleweight Bo Nickal is the latest to make the leap, signing with RAF. The three-time NCAA champion, who made his way to the UFC by winning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series, returns to his roots in a competitive freestyle wrestling environment and will make his debut at RAF's inaugural event on August 30 in Cleveland, Ohio. Hogan, the commissioner of RAF, praised Nickal, saying, 'Bo Nickal is a tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet. Nickal immediately elevates the RAF roster to new heights with his competitiveness and experience. When fans attend an RAF event, they know they're going to see the best of the best on the mat.' Advertisement The event will also feature high-profile matchups like former Stanford and University of Iowa standout Real Woods facing NCAA D1 Champion and Bellator MMA veteran Darrion Caldwell. Partnering with UFC, USA Wrestling, and NCAA, RAF allows athletes to compete professionally without jeopardizing amateur eligibility or violating their UFC contracts, a key selling point for Nickal and others. For Nickal, who suffered his first MMA loss to Reinier de Ridder in May, this move offers a chance to showcase his wrestling prowess while keeping options open for a UFC return. His recent signing indicates a growing trend of MMA fighters diversifying their careers, whether for financial gain, legacy-building, or simply staying active. While boxing remains the most lucrative crossover path, RAF is providing a unique platform for wrestlers to monetize their skills after their collegiate careers, beyond MMA or Pro Wrestling. Advertisement Related: Bo Nickal Breaks Silence Since Suffering First Loss by Brutal KO, Responds to Friends Mocking Him 'It Just Makes Me Sad' Related: Former UFC Champion Blasts Bo Nickal's 'Pathetic' Performance, 'This kid is not a fighter' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC Star Returning to the Wrestling Mats, Joining Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle Wrestling Promotion
UFC Star Returning to the Wrestling Mats, Joining Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle Wrestling Promotion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC middleweight Bo Nickal is looking for more competition. Advertisement Earlier today, it was announced that Nickal has signed with Real American Freestyle, a new professional wrestling organization led by WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Israel Martinez. "Bo Nickal is a tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet,' Hogan, the commissioner of Real American Freestyle, said in a statement released today. 'Nickal immediately elevates the RAF roster to new heights with his competitiveness and experience. When fans attend an RAF event, they know they're going to see the best of the best on the mat.' Nickal, who is 7-1 as a professional in mixed martial arts (MMA), was a three-time national champion at Penn State, and at the time of his signing with the UFC, he was a massive prospect. He fought twice in the amateurs before turning professional. Advertisement The 29-year-old earned a UFC roster spot through Dana White's Contender Series, winning by submission in consecutive fights in 2022. He made his UFC debut in March 2023 and won his first four fights inside the octagon before losing for the first time this past May to former ONE two-division champion Reinier De Ridder. During an appearance today on 'The Ariel Helwani Show,' Nickal explained why he's interested in being active within each promotion. 'At the end of the day, my contract with the UFC, I'm going to be fighting MMA with them, and then I think at the same time, there's room for me to compete in wrestling. You see a lot of guys doing jiu-jitsu matches or wherever it is. I just have the fire in me to compete as much as I can, and realistically, with fighting, I've been getting two fights a year. I think that's going to be the trend, which is fine with me,' Nickal said. 'But I'm 29 years old in my prime, and I'm just fired up to compete. The thing about a wrestling match is that it's so different from a fight in the preparation. I could step on the mat right now with no warmup and compete with the best guys in the world." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bo Nickal signs with Real American Freestyle for wrestling return, challenges Jon Jones
Bo Nickal is taking on a brand new challenge. The UFC middleweight prospect transitioned into MMA in 2021 off the heels of a tremendous collegiate wrestling career at Penn State. Now Nickal is returning to his roots, as he announced on Wednesday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show" that he has signed with Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling. Advertisement "I'm going to be pursuing something new, pursuing something different that's maybe a little bit foreign to a lot of the MMA fans that listen to this show," Nickal said. "There's this lesser-known sport called wrestling. It's a really great base for professional MMA, and I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and do some wrestling matches with the Real American Freestyle promotion coming up. August 30, I'll be competing in Cleveland, Ohio, and putting the singlet and shoes on, and see how it goes. "At the end of the day, my UFC contract is me fighting MMA with them, and I think at the same time, for me to compete in wrestling, you see a lot of guys do jiu-jitsu matches or whatever it is. Realistically with fighting, I've been getting two fights a year, and I think that's probably going to be continuing, I think that's going to be the trend, which I'm fine with. But I'm 29 years old, in my prime, and I'm just fired up to compete. ... [My] competitive spirit is just as strong as its ever been, so I'm looking to get a few wrestling matches before the fights, and I think it will just keep me sharp, motivated and hungry." Nickal comes as a surprise addition to the Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff-helmed endeavor, considering his status as a UFC-contracted athlete. RAF is the latest attempt to professionalize amateur wrestling. Longtime wrestling coach Izzy Martinez is also involved in spearheading the project. Advertisement Ultimately, Nickal joins a laundry list of ultra-talented wrestlers involved, including names like Wyatt Hendrickson, Lance Palmer, Darrion Caldwell, Beau Bartlett, Nathan Tomasello, Matt Ramos, Seth Gross, Mikey Caliendo, Sarah Hildebrandt, Lucía 'Jami' Guzman, Audrey Jimenez, Zeltin Hernandez Guerra, Kennedy Blades, Zahid Valencia, David Carr, Kyle Dake, Trent Hidlay, Kyle Snyder, Aaron Brooks, Evan Wick, Austin Gomez, Real Woods, Will Lewan and Parker Keckeisen. At UFC Des Moines this past May, Nickal suffered his first defeat in professional MMA after starting 7-0, falling short in a second-round stoppage at the hands of Reinier de Ridder. Ideally, Nickal is hoping to return to the cage sooner rather than later. In the meantime, though, he awaits his first dance partner with RAF. He's open to all comers, even a fantasy matchup with a recently retired all-time great. Advertisement "I'm ready to go with anyone," Nickal said. "Jon Jones vs. Bo Nickal wrestling? He's a little big. I'll meet him at 230 [pounds] or something. "It's friendly. That's the thing about wrestling, it's cool — it's not like you're punching each other in the face, and you can just compete, and I scrap with my buddies every day. It gets chippy and then you maybe talk a little crap here and there, then it's all good." In addition to competing, Nickal noted that he'll also provide commentary for RAF and help serve as a mentor for his fellow wrestlers who are looking to keep their careers alive after collegiate athletics.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
UFC's Bo Nickal signs with Hulk Hogan's Real American Freestyle wrestling promotion
Bo Nickal will soon be competing outside of the UFC, too. On Wednesday, it was announced that Nickal has signed on with fledgling Real American Freestyle, a professional freestyle wrestling organization with WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff and Israel Martinez at the helm. "Bo Nickal is a tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet,' Hogan, commissioner of Real American Freestyle, said in a statement. 'Nickal immediately elevates the RAF roster to new heights with his competitiveness and experience. When fans attend an RAF event they know they're going to see the best of the best on the mat.' Nickal, 29, was a three-time collegiate national champion wrestler at Penn State, making him a highly touted prospect when he transitioned to MMA in 2021. After two amateur fights, Nickal turned professional and earned his way on the UFC roster through Dana White's Contender Series. He made his UFC debut in March 2023 and won his first four fights before suffering his first defeat this past May, a TKO loss to former ONE two-division champion Reinier de Ridder. On Wednesday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show," Nickal explained he he'll manage competing both for the UFC and Real American Freestyle. "At the end of the day, my contract with the UFC, I'm going to be fighting with MMA with them and then I think at the same time there's room for me to compete in wrestling," Nickal said. "You see a lot of guys do jiu-jitsu matches or wherever it is. I just have the fire in me to compete as much as I can and realistically with fighting, I've been getting two fights a year. I think that's going to be the trend, which is fine with me. But I'm 29 years old in my prime, and I'm just fired up to compete. The thing about a wrestling match is it's so different from a fight in the preparation. I could step on the mat right now with no warmup and compete with the best guys in the world." Real American Freestyle is scheduled to host its inaugural event Aug. 30 in Cleveland. Nickal expects to make his debut on that date. According to a press release, Real American Freestyle seeks "to provide an opportunity for the best athletes to compete and showcase their talent."
