Nickal vs de Ridder best bets headline a middleweight clash which will take place for this UFC Fight Night on Saturday, May 3rd. Now will "prospect" Bo Nickal or Reinier de Ridder win this fight?
We try to pick a winner and more ahead of Saturday, May 3, when the UFC goess to Des Moines. Expect a good card that gets fans and bettors amped up for the next PPV (UFC 315) on May 10th.
- What: UFC Fight Night From Des Moines
- When: Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Start Time: 7 p.m. EDT (preliminary bouts), 10 p.m. EDT (main card)
- Where: Des Moines, Iowa
- Venue: Wells Fargo Center
- Where to Watch: ESPN2/ESPN+
- Main Card: Nickal vs. de Ridder- the main card of the Sandhagen night
The 29-year-old Bo Nickal rumbles into UFC Fight Night with an overall record of 7-0-0. The American fighter comes off his first decision in a win over Paul Craig. Nickal finally learned he had to go 15 minutes against someone. Give him credit as he kept his composure, did not get too gassed, and was able to dominate Craig even into the third and final round.
After six wins by varying forms of KO or submission, it was almost good to see what Nickal would do if someone stayed upright. The former freestyle wrestler who won a few gold medals in the junior ranks, has developed quite the MMA game complete with submissions and punching power. At 185 pounds, Nickal is not far off from his lowest wrestling weight around 190 pounds.
Next, Reinier de Ridder enters UFC Fight Night with a career record of 19-2-0. Unlike Nickal, de Ridder has been a championship but in ONE not UFC. The 34-year-old from Netherlands gets called "The Dutch Knight".
Now, the questions arise. Who found this tomato can that grapples unlike one? Nickal is an American-made product who can wrestle better than this grappler. Ground and pound could be fun here on Saturday night.
UFC Fight Night Main Card: Bo Nickal vs. Reinier de Ridder Betting Lines
This match will again mark both fighters fight on winning streaks. Usually, the records here almost tilt to the more experience fighter. However, the odds remain honed in on Nickal. Updated online UFC betting lines for Nickal vs. de Ridder suggest that Nickal could get back to his submission/KO ways.
Always take note to watch these UFC Fight Night odds right until the time one makes their picks. Our UFC Fight Night online betting lines are accurate entering Monday, April 28. This allows the best online UFC betting sites more time to make adjustments ahead of the opening bell on May 3rd.
Bo Nickal Favored To Get Win Eight Over Reinier de Ridder
Bo Nickal has been a fun watch early in his UFC career. Typically, most fighters do not have the kind of background he does. The wrestler won three college championships in two different weight classes. He won on the world stage and then became more than an adequate puncher in a sport where it is not easy to do so. It was wickedly brutal to watch him in Dana White's Contender Series. He had opponents intimidated before they stepped into The Octagon.
The American's two matches went a combined one minute and 54 seconds. Arguments echoed that Nickal would not have the experience going in. He was too raw for this or that. All the UFC fighter has done from his wrestling days is adapt. His debut MMA fight at the IKON FC 3 was an indication. Nickal, the Penn State graduate, knew a thing or two about the sport and it showed. Since his UFC debut, he has kept on winning. Most experts forget he is 29 or is still young in this sport.
Yes, the prospect is rising up the ranks but nothing is guaranteed. Nickal will not be a main event at a fight night just yet. However, he is getting close. A convincing win here probably paves the way for that within the year. Honestly, doubting him only seems to make him stronger. Could he go five rounds? Yes. Will he even go a full three in this one? Probably not.
The good news is that Nickal could easily get a submission in this fight. He may be three inches shorter than de Ridder but his low center of gravity and grappling skill is likely to lead to victory. .
Does Reinier de Ridder Have A Better Ground Game?
Height is a threex-inch difference between him and Bo Nickal but the reach difference is four inches. Simply, can de Ridder out ground the ground and pounder? On paper, that does not seem possible. Although the older Dutch wrestler has tons of experience and held a championship in two divisions at ONE. This is the UFC! Also, this fight with Nickal is a big different from fighter even older versions of himself. This is a younger version.
Now, the best online UFC betting apps hold de Ridder around a +250 to +275 underdog. They have concerns with his ability to go a full 15 minutes in this match. As a matter of fact, that win by KO/Submission/DQ is shortening for Nickal. However, de Ridder has the ability to adapt as well. He has fought at 185, 205, and 225 pounds.
If de Ridder can use his reach and his wingspan, he has a chance at tiring out Nickal and grinding out a decision.
UFC Fight Night Picks for Nickal vs de Ridder
Nickal vs de Ridder bets wonder about a few more possible props. The Under of 1.5 rounds is likely a bridge too far. However, the KO/TKO/Submission stands at -175. It is not too bad to take. Expect that number to rise in the coming days, albeit slightly.
Take the KO/TKO/submission.
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