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.”
A three-time NCAA Division I national champion (and one-time runner-up), Nickal was viewed as one of the brightest prospects to enter the sport in years when he made the transition to MMA in 2021. And Nickal did nothing to diminish the hype, talking brazenly about his goals and abilities. That sort of swaggering confidence tends to rub some people the wrong way, and after Nickal lost, fans and fellow fighters flocked to celebrate Nickal’s serving of “humble pie.” But Nickal wouldn’t change a thing.
“I don’t regret a single thing,” Nickal said. “I believe in myself 100 percent, and I’ll bet on myself every single time. I think that a win or a loss doesn’t define me. I’ve been able to win a lot and lose very few times, and I don’t define myself by the losses, I don’t define myself by the wins. I just have a belief in myself that will never go away, no matter what. Anybody can say whatever they want, and the result can be what it is, but I’m still going to wake up every morning and go after my goals, and bring it every single day.
“I’m totally confident in my abilities still, and this loss does nothing but motivate me even more.”
As for what comes next, Nickal doesn’t have specific plans, but he does want to get back in the cage soon to wash this losing taste out of his mouth.
“I was talking with Coach Mike [Brown] on the way back, and I was like, ‘I want to fight ASAP. Let’s go get back into it.’ But I think I’ll talk with the coaches and see what’s best,” Nickal said. “I’ve got to get back to 100 percent, and feel like I can put a training camp together, but we’ll see. I would like to fight a couple more times this year, so getting back as quickly as possible would be good for me.”
