Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Reinier de Ridder vs Bo Nickal fight this weekend!
The co-main event at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo brings fans a fascinating middleweight clash worth watching. Bo Nickal, the three-time NCAA wrestling champion, continues his much-hyped UFC journey against his biggest challenge yet. Reinier de Ridder represents a significant step up in competition for the undefeated prospect. The former ONE Championship double-champion brings an impressive 19-2 record to the octagon. Both southpaws bring elite grappling credentials to this contest.
Their similar backgrounds create an intriguing chess match that has fight fans buzzing. Will Nickal’s collegiate wrestling pedigree prevail? Or will de Ridder’s judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu expertise prove too much?
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The oddsmakers clearly favor Nickal in this matchup. According to BetMGM, Bo Nickal is a hefty -375 favorite. That means fans would need to risk $375 just to win $100 on the American wrestler. Reinier De Ridder sits as a +300 underdog, offering a potential $300 return on a $100 bet.
These odds reflect the market’s confidence in Nickal’s potential rather than his actual UFC accomplishments. His wrestling credentials and undefeated record create a perception of dominance that might exceed his current MMA development.
Nickal’s last performance against Paul Craig left some fans wanting more from the prospect. Despite winning a clear decision, Nickal abandoned his wrestling roots and kept the fight standing. This cautious approach surprised many who expected the dynamic takedowns that made him famous.
Meanwhile, de Ridder has looked impressive in his UFC run so far with submission victories over Kevin Holland and Gerald Meerschaert. Against Meerschaert, he landed a takedown within five seconds and never let his opponent back up. His judo throws and submission savvy have translated well to the UFC cage. His height and reach advantages could also play factors in this matchup. At 6’4″ with a 78-inch reach, de Ridder stands three inches taller than Nickal with two extra inches of reach.
When predicting the this fight, we must consider each fighter’s path to victory. For Nickal, the blueprint seems straightforward. He should use his wrestling to control positions while avoiding submission attempts. However, his reluctance to engage in grappling exchanges with submission specialists raises questions.
Will Nickal try to keep this fight standing as he did against Craig? That approach might backfire against de Ridder, who actually holds advantages in reach and technical striking. De Ridder uses his jab and push kicks effectively to maintain distance before countering.
If we bet on the fight, we are going against the grain and predicting Reinier De Ridder to win by unanimous decision.
(Image Credit: UFC – X)
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