UFC Des Moines odds favor Bo Nickal to stay undefeated, but our prediction is that he’s going to have to work super hard to achieve that. The thing is that he’s locking horns against a very tricky opponent, who’s got a similar set of skills.
Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal Odds
| Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|
| Reinier de Ridder | -275 |
| Bo Nickal | +235 |
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
- Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Can Reinier de Ridder Cause a Sensation on March 3?
Reinier de Ridder (19-2) is one of the most decorated submission artists in the game, boasting 13 wins by tapout. Two of those happened in his two UFC fights – against Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland.
This guy’s got black belts in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo. That combination alone makes him a serious threat to anyone who wants to take the fight to the ground.
He’s also pretty tall for a middleweight (6’4) and has a long reach (79”) which makes him good in stand-up battles. Still, the fact is that he’s not too powerful when it comes to striking, the evidence being that he’s got only four wins by KO/TKO in his portfolio.
Reasons Why Bo Nickal is Favored to Win
Bo Nickal is a former star of collegiate wrestling, who’s primed to become the next big thing in the UFC. Actually, he’s already a big deal in the MMA universe, but his ambition is to become a champ in the future.
He’s 7-0 in pro MMA, and at the age of 29, it’s time for him to enter the next stage of his career. Nickal’s never fought against a ranked UFC opponent, but that will change on May 3.
RDR is 13th in the Middleweight Rankings, and if Nickal beats him at UFC Des Moines, he himself will (almost certainly) get into the Top 15.
Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal Prediction
Bo Nickal is considered one of the best wrestlers in the UFC. Sure, he did look great in each of his previous fights in the organization, but we haven’t seen him fight a ranked opponent yet. And RDR is a very tough matchup for him.
The Dutchman is an excellent wrestler, almost as good as Nickal, but he’s way more dangerous grappling-wise than the American. So, if the two get into a clinch, we might see Nickal get choked out.
UFC Des Moines odds suggest it won’t happen, but our prediction is that it will. Priced at +235, Rainier de Ridder is our top underdog pick for May 3.
Pick: Reinier de Ridder