Bo Nickal is taking his first UFC loss in stride.
This past weekend, Nickal suffered the first defeat of his MMA career when he was stopped by Reiner de Ridder in the co-main event of UFC Des Moines. It was an unexpected loss given how much hype Nickal had as a prospect, but one Nickal says he is already looking at as a positive for his career.
“It’s been crazy, but I think there’s been a lot of reflection,” Nickal told Ariel Helwani. “Initially, after the fight, obviously, I was very disappointed, very frustrated with myself, and I think that I just am really glad that I have a great foundation of values and things that people have taught me. I don’t really feel that the goal or myself, or anything, has changed.
“It’s unfortunate to kind of have to experience that, because I hate losing, but even now, having gone through many, many losses in the past and feeling like those were some of the biggest catalyzing moments in my life and my career, I’m already very grateful for it. I think that this is nothing but a learning opportunity and experience that I think will just help me grow and improve, and get better.”
While the loss was an upset to many, Nickal said he knew de Ridder posed a serious threat to him and was adamant he didn’t overlook “The Dutch Knight” in his preparation. The truth, Nickal said, is that he lacked the experience necessary in a fight of this level.
“I felt super confident going into the fight. I think that in my mind, prior to, I did everything that I needed to do to prepare to win the fight,” Nickal said. “I felt great. I think that now, having looked back, and gone through that, that I wasn’t as prepared as I thought. There was a lot of things that I could have done better prior to, and a lot of things that I could have focused on and done differently. ...
“I think that it’s tough to be able to predict everything or try to assume what’s going to happen in a fight because I don’t have years and years and years under my belt of reps and feeling different styles. So when I look at that fight, and some of the things that were kind of his biggest positives in the fight on his side, those were things I wasn’t prepared for.”
Bo Nickal reflects on Reiner de Ridder loss: ‘I wasn’t as prepared as I thought’
Bo Nickal reflects on suffering his first career defeat to Reiner de Ridder at UFC Des Moines and where he goes from here.
