Media Bo Nickal says he asked for Reiner de Ridder fight, while RDR asked for a Top-5 guy

[Bobby Boulders]

Surprised you took RDR in the poll to be honest

Eh, bigger opponent with a height and reach advantage, who won't be afraid if Bo decides to grapple. RDR matches up pretty well with him. Bo is gonna have to get inside to land, and RDR's striking isn't great, but he can crack if he lands, himself. RDR has big fight experience that Bo hasn't had. Tough fight for Bo. If Bo wins, it's a good win

 

[Doctor Grudge]

I can’t understand why people are so high on De Ridder.

Did they not see the Malykhin fights? If RDR had zero success trying to take Malykhin down, how is he going to take Bo Nickal down?

This should be an easy UD for Nickal, or a KO if he shows some aggression. He’s played it extremely safe so far, so a UD is more likely.

I think the problem with Malykhin was more he was punching Ridder's brains out. Mlykhin hits way harder than Bo and is just a more explosive striker in general.

 

[MDoza]

I think the problem with Malykhin was more he was punching Ridder's brains out. Mlykhin hits way harder than Bo and is just a more explosive striker in general.

It doesn’t change that De Ridders only path to victory is on the ground, and he’s fighting a guy that he won’t be able to get to the ground.

I’m not high on Bo Nickal either, but he’s younger and faster than both Malykhin and De De Ridder.

Bo will likely just circle, defend takedowns, and point fight on the feet, but if he goes for it I think he has the capability to finish De Ridder. Unfortunately Bo is the most cautious fighter on the roster, so it will be a likely boring UD, and he’ll get further clowned for acting like he’s the best fighter in the world but turning in another lackluster performance.

 

[Poirierfan]

This fight if it were to happen could go either way imo, interesting fight.

 

[maximus__]

This is just a repeat of his fight with Craig. They should've booked Bo against Vettori.

That's actually an incredible fight. Vettori can grapple enough to test Bo and Bo couldn't just kickbox him on the outside without throwing real heat.

Book it Dana.

 

[maximus__]

It doesn’t change that De Ridders only path to victory is on the ground, and he’s fighting a guy that he won’t be able to get to the ground.

I’m not high on Bo Nickal either, but he’s younger and faster than both Malykhin and De De Ridder.

Bo will likely just circle, defend takedowns, and point fight on the feet, but if he goes for it I think he has the capability to finish De Ridder. Unfortunately Bo is the most cautious fighter on the roster, so it will be a likely boring UD, and he’ll get further clowned for acting like he’s the best fighter in the world but turning in another lackluster performance.

Hopefully RDR just goes full Ryan Hall and throws wild kicks to invite the takedown. He could have some success just blasting head and body kicks. NIckal wouldn't be used to it because everyone else is scared of the takedown.

 

[b00tysweat]

How can anyone have confidence in Bo?

He's a low blow away from being wash up in the ufc.

RDR takes this one and stops Bo in 8 minutes or less.

Bo is undefeated lol

cope

 

[FreedomCricket]

Bo is undefeated lol

cope

Undefeated because of a low blow against Pickett and a gift decision in his last fight.

His arm triangle choke literally took 2 minutes to lock in. Luckily it was against a last minute replacement can that just starfished in the octogon.

 

[svmr_db]

I can’t understand why people are so high on De Ridder.

Did they not see the Malykhin fights? If RDR had zero success trying to take Malykhin down, how is he going to take Bo Nickal down?

This should be an easy UD for Nickal, or a KO if he shows some aggression. He’s played it extremely safe so far, so a UD is more likely.

Malykhin is like 30+ heavier than Bo Nickal lol it's barely worth comparing, not much you can get from those 2 fights & apply to how it will go vs Bo.

 

[The Accuser]

I like Bo, but I think he is getting fraud checked in this one.

 

[Tweak896]

Maybe Bo had a 1 off night with Craig? Craig beat Ankalaev and has some good wins, so as bad as it was it's not like the guy was a total can.

Bo's skillset should easily kill off guys like RDR and Craig though. Dude has power on the feet and getting better with striking and should have the wrestling where he can choose where the fight goes. Someone like Robocop would be a nightmare matchup (well if Robocop can fix his cardio).

 

[Domitian]

Reindeer is one hell of a step up for Bo. I don't think Bo wins this.

 

[mma fighter]

I hope Nickel comes into this one with the desire to finish his opponent. I doubt it though. The way the UFC is going... wrestlers can't be boring. Otherwise the goof won't give you any hespect and will try to fuck with you.

 

[MisfitsBR]

RDR was totally delusional asking for a top 5 lol

 

[Domitian]

RDR was totally delusional asking for a top 5 lol

Kind of, sort of. He was a double champion in ONE. His only loss is to a dude who competes at HW.

 

[NicholasJBasile]

I like RDR but he doesn't deserve a top 5 guy yet imo -- beating GM3 and Holland doesn't warrant that. I think he'ss 2 wins away from deserving that.

 

[CatchnShoot]

I can’t understand why people are so high on De Ridder.

Did they not see the Malykhin fights? If RDR had zero success trying to take Malykhin down, how is he going to take Bo Nickal down?

This should be an easy UD for Nickal, or a KO if he shows some aggression. He’s played it extremely safe so far, so a UD is more likely.

Well, Rener is fighting @ 185 in the UFC, and he fought Malykhin @ 225lbs if memory serves, and Malykhin is an absolute unit @ 224, wheras Rener was just tubby.

The ONLY reason Rener was competing up in weight is because he beat everybody at his own weight class. No shame in that, and since Bo fights @ MW (185) as well, it's not a great comparator IMO.

 

[AstralPanda]

I'll take that bet if the fight is made

Bo nickel is gonna be a great bet for his next few fights since everyone's sleeping on him now

 

[MDoza]

Well, Rener is fighting @ 185 in the UFC, and he fought Malykhin @ 225lbs if memory serves, and Malykhin is an absolute unit @ 224, wheras Rener was just tubby.

The ONLY reason Rener was competing up in weight is because he beat everybody at his own weight class. No shame in that, and since Bo fights @ MW (185) as well, it's not a great comparator IMO.

de Ridder lost to Malykhin at both 225lbs and 205lbs.

Bo Nickal wrestled at a high level at 96 kg (202 lbs) for a large portion of his wrestling career. He won NCAA titles and US National Championships at that weight.

I expect they will both be in the 205 lb - 210 lb range in the cage.

I still do not see de Ridder being able to take Nickal down, and while neither are great on their feet, Nickal is younger, faster, and more explosive in general.

There is a reason Bo Nickal asked for this fight, and a reason why de Ridder is trying to goad Nickal into making it a grappling match.

 

[AstralPanda]

Maybe Bo had a 1 off night with Craig? Craig beat Ankalaev and has some good wins, so as bad as it was it's not like the guy was a total can.

Bo's skillset should easily kill off guys like RDR and Craig though. Dude has power on the feet and getting better with striking and should have the wrestling where he can choose where the fight goes. Someone like Robocop would be a nightmare matchup (well if Robocop can fix his cardio).

Styles make fights

Bo is gonna be an amazing grappler eventually, but paul Craig is still levels above him on the ground

Is he gonna be that hesitant going to the ground with anyone else in the division though? Probably not

It's just one of those fights where he was forced to show off his still rudimentary striking but he's still super green. Potential is there but only so much we can expect at this point.

Becoming a seasoned striker takes time