There’s a saying, “A problem can only get as big as you make it seem.” And after suffering his first career loss in MMA, one can say the saying fits perfectly with the situation of Bo Nickal. Heading into Des Moines, Iowa, at 7-0, the three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion fought against a veteran of the sport in Reinier De Ridder. Nickal underestimated a formidable opponent in the fight, as he lost to him by TKO in the second round and lost his undefeated streak in the process.

The world of MMA was shaken, and the highly anticipated American prospect was dominated. Subsequently, Nickal was a subject of massive criticism and trolling. But the opponent who beat him that day knows adversity very well. Post-fight, he had nothing but kind words for Bo, as he said, “It feels pretty good, given all the hype around Bo Nickal, to be the one to take the O. I said it to him after the fight: ‘I’m happy I had to fight you now and not in three years,’ because he’s going to be a beast, man. He’s going to be a monster.” 

Recently, as ‘RDR’ sat down with the UFC Unfiltered podcast, he talked about Bo Nickal’s loss and how he can handle it. De Ridder said, “Look, anything that happens if it’s if it’s um a win or a loss. If it’s a spectacular win or spectacular loss or whatever. Only you have the option to make a good either good or a bad thing. Um, especially in those if it’s a devastating loss like Bose suffered, the only guy who can make it a good or a bad thing is him. If it motivates him, if it gets him back in the gym, if it gets him to maybe let go of some things he did in the past, he did wrong, focus even more on fighting, really grind and get better.”

The former two-division champion at ONE Championship further added, “Then in a couple of years, he’ll look back and he’ll say, ‘That was the best thing that ever happened to me.” If he says, “Uh, this is RDR way more experience and uh this guy. I’m still the best to ever have done it.” Then it’s going to be a negative thing. So he has the power right now, like I had the power a couple of years ago.”

Indeed, even in a loss, Bo Nickal can look at this fight as a minor setback and look forward to competing as soon as he can to right the wrongs he did in the De Ridder fight. On the other hand, a sip of ego and anger towards the loss can see him falling further down the line, it’s all in the hands of Bo Nickal.

What’s next for Bo Nickal? While that is a mystery, many want it to keep it that way for a moment to let the American prospect take a step back and analyse his mistakes in this time of vulnerability. Many veterans have shown support for the fighter to excel further despite this loss.

Bo Nickal’s first UFC loss meets a brutal ending. Veterans unite to show support

The American prospect was expected to dominate ‘RDR’ with his wrestling, but the vast experience between the two proved lethal for Nickal. De Ridder kept aware of his takedowns, keeping his distance, and he landed some massive body shots, which led to the finish of Bo Nickal. The finish was a painful sight to see, the most hyped American wrestler sat on the mat, decimated after being purely outclassed, as the veterans watched in disbelief.

“This is not the end. I got finished by Demetrious Johnson with a similar body shot, and I went on to avenge that loss and become champion. You are capable of doing the same. Get back on your horse, brother #UFCDesMoines.” After the shocking loss, former two-division (UFC flyweight and bantamweight) Champion Henry Cejudo had a few words of insight and sympathy for Bo. ‘Triple C’ believes Nickal is on a similar path to that of Cejudo.

Former UFC Middleweight and Welterweight contender Darren Till had some positive words for Nickal after the loss, as he said, “Unlucky for the weekend Bo Nickal. It’s hard at the top in MMA, but I fully believe you can still be champion. You’ll grow from this.” As a fellow countryman of Till’s and UFC Hall of Famer, Michael Bisping responded to the criticism around Bo, saying, “The level of disrespect sometimes is just crazy.”

Even in a loss, through all the criticism, still, the MMA community still knows the potential that Bo Nickal holds. In his mentality and training, he is as professional as a fighter can be. And he has time on his side, to correct his mistakes and live up to the hype he has set for himself. It’s all in the hands of Bo Nickal. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.