Bo Nickal is handling his initial defeat in the UFC with composure.
Nickal recently experienced his first professional MMA loss, being stopped by Reiner de Ridder in the co-main event at UFC Des Moines. Despite the high expectations surrounding him, Nickal sees this unexpected setback as a potentially beneficial development for his journey.
Reflecting on the experience, Nickal shared with Ariel Helwani that while initially very upset and frustrated, he feels grounded by his core values. He stated the loss hasn`t altered his fundamental goals or self-perception.
He acknowledged that experiencing defeat is difficult, as he dislikes losing, but drawing on numerous past losses he considers significant turning points, he`s already finding gratitude for this one. Nickal views it purely as an opportunity for learning and growth.
While many saw the loss as an upset, Nickal admitted he knew de Ridder was a serious opponent and didn`t underestimate him. However, he believes the real issue was his lack of sufficient experience at that competitive level.
Nickal explained his pre-fight confidence: “I felt I had done everything required to prepare for a win.” But looking back, he now realizes his preparation wasn`t as complete as he thought, noting several areas he could have focused on or approached differently.
He finds it challenging to anticipate everything in a fight without years of experience and exposure to various fighting styles. Consequently, he admitted that certain aspects of de Ridder`s performance, which proved effective, were things he simply “wasn’t prepared for.”
As a highly touted prospect with a strong wrestling background (three-time NCAA champ), Nickal embraced the hype, confidently speaking about his aspirations and skills. This confidence sometimes alienated others, and his loss prompted many to comment about him receiving `humble pie.` Yet, Nickal stands by his approach.
He declared, “I don’t regret anything at all.” He maintains unwavering self-belief, stating he`d always back himself. Nickal doesn`t let wins or losses define him, having experienced both. His fundamental confidence, he asserts, remains unshaken, regardless of external opinions or results. He plans to continue pursuing his goals daily.
He concluded by saying his belief in his abilities is unchanged, and the loss only serves as further motivation.
Regarding his next steps, Nickal hasn`t made specific plans but is eager to compete again soon to move past the loss.
He mentioned telling his coach, Mike Brown, that he wanted to “fight ASAP.” However, he will consult with his coaches to determine the best course of action, ensuring he`s fully recovered and prepared for a training camp. He hopes to fight a couple more times this year and sees returning quickly as beneficial.
