Set to collide in the middleweight co-main event at UFC Des Moines, held at the Wells Fargo Arena, are Reinier de Ridder and Bo Nickal. This bout promises an intriguing clash of styles between an established veteran and a rising undefeated prospect.
Reinier de Ridder, notably a former two-division champion under the ONE Championship banner, is making his third promotional appearance since November. Known as “RDR”, his recent UFC run includes a third-round submission victory over Gerald Meerschaert in his debut at UFC Vegas 100, followed by another quick submission win against Kevin Holland at UFC 311 in January. These performances contribute to his third consecutive win in the organization. With a professional record of 19-2, de Ridder is currently ranked No. 13 in the sport`s global rankings.
Across the Octagon stands Bo Nickal, who remains undefeated in his mixed martial arts career and prepares for what many consider his toughest test to date. The highly decorated wrestling standout from Penn State boasts a perfect record through four fights under the UFC umbrella. His most recent performance was a decision win against Paul Craig at UFC 309 in November, a fight that garnered criticism for not fully showcasing Nickal`s dominant potential.