Reinier de Ridder achieved the biggest victory of his UFC career so far on 3 May by derailing the undefeated series of Bo Nickal.
Although 'The Dutch Knight' is best known for his submission skills, it was his striking that De Ridder Nickal saw in his first loss in the Moines.
The victory takes the former Championship star to three wins in a row in the Octagon since he debuted last November with the promotion.
After he has completed all three of his opponents, he now wants to face one of the top names in the middleweight division with the knight calling Sean Strickland.
As far as the American is concerned, he was discovered what a former opponent of the Dutchman already knew that Nickal was accused of stopping after he had stopped in the second round.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Kevin Holland reflects on the upset of Reinier de Ridder at Bo Nickal at UFC des Moines
Reinier de Ridder is frustrated during his time in one championship and has made his lack of activity in recent years by immediately making a big impression in the Octagon.
There were many questions about how well he could compete in the 185-pound division of the UFC, but a former opponent of him had no doubt after he had shared the cage with 'RDR'.
In his second outing at UFC 311, the knight achieved back-to-back entry victories after he quickly achieved Kevin Holland and finished him in the first round.
With the vast majority of his victories through this method, many felt like he could threaten Bo Nickal if the fight hit the floor, but this did not play an important factor.
Holland weighed on social media when his former opponent yielded one of the biggest victories in the middleweight division.
'Trailblazer' reminded fans that he had already talked about how big and physically strong the knight is before he went and brought Nickal away in style.
“Jall said he was silver back gorilla … and let's not forget that Bo is a beast”
Jall told that he was silver back gorilla 🦍 🦍…. And let's not forget that Bo is a beast
– Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2Top) 4 May 2025
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Reinier de Ridder wants to test himself against America's top striker
After his victory over a decorated wrestler in Bo Nickal, Reinier de Ridder said that he will now come across the top -american striker in the division, Sean Strickland.
It is certainly not to be denied that if the recent arrival was to beat the former champion, he would have a one -way ticket for a title fight.
The only problem may be that there is a big gap between them in the UFC ranking list, but as De Ridder said prior to the fight, beating a non -clever nickal would always increase its stock considerably.
Two other former middleweight champions in Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker can be two more options and although the knight perhaps focuses higher, a matchup with the #9-ranged Anthony Hernandez would be very nice.