UFC Des Moines may have fallen below fans’ expectations going into the card. It began slowly and never really found momentum. Mason Jones and Jeremy Stephens tried their best, providing fans with 15 minutes of brutal, bloody war. However, this excitement did not last much longer for the crowd as the thrill seemed to drain from the audience with each passing fight. This lacklustre atmosphere lasted right up until the co-main event of the evening, which provided one of the biggest upsets we have seen in all of 2025. Bo Nickal closed as a -345 favourite, a huge margin considering his opponent, former two-division ONE champion and #13 ranked UFC middleweight, Reinier de Ridder. Even more surprising considering the ease with which de Ridder dispatched Kevin Holland in his previous fight. Going into the match, many seemed to dismiss the Dutchman, swept up in the immense hype surrounding Nickal. However, diving deeper, an upset was always possible with de Ridder being the larger, taller and more imposing man. He seemed to have the skillset needed to stifle the impressive wrestling of former three-time NCAA Division 1 champion Nickal. The fight played out accordingly, with Nickal finding himself in bottom position during round 1 for the first time in his UFC career. The second began with the American standout seemingly gassed and struggling to survive under a barrage of de Ridder’s clinch knees to the body. One final huge knee sent Nickal flying to the canvas, and the referee left with no choice but to stop the contest. So, after 3 straight finishes in the UFC, who’s next for “RDR”?
Option 1 – Marvin Vettori
“RDR” deserves to fight up after facing the unranked Nickal, and this fight allows him to break into the top 10 of the division. Doing so will be no easy feat, with the experienced Marvin Vettori providing the perfect next test. The 16-fight UFC veteran has one of the most well-rounded skill sets within the middleweight division. Cardio, wrestling and arguably the most unbreakable chin in the entire organisation make the Italian a gruelling opponent for even the most gifted fighter. This is exactly the test de Ridder deserves and needs if he is to take the next step to becoming a serious title challenger at 185 pounds. A potential fight night main event spot would be perfect to watch if “RDR” has the tools and gas tank to achieve his title aspirations. Whilst there has been talk of a trilogy fight between Vettori and Roman Dolidze, this feels unnecessary and frankly unappealing. Reinier de Ridder would be a far more intriguing matchup for Vettori and would give fans something to get excited about.
Option 2 – Caio Borralho
Now, I will be the first to admit I would be disappointed if this is the fight the UFC comes up with for the surging Borralho. “The Natural” deserves a number one contender’s fight to set him up for a title shot. However, the “Fighting Nerds” leader cannot find a fight right now. It has been nearly 9 months since he last made the walk to the octagon, and he recently emphasised his desire to fight, no matter the opponent. Robert Whittaker said no, Nassourdine Imavov said no, so why not take on the #13-ranked de Ridder? Yes, it is far from what he deserves, but it may be the best Borralho can get. Reinier de Ridder has gained a big audience following his finish of Nickal and could bring a lot of eyes to his next fight. For de Ridder, this fight would be the perfect opportunity to climb the rankings and leave himself potentially just one win away from a title shot. This matchup may seem far-fetched right now, but if Caio Borralho cannot find himself a fight soon, he may be forced to look down the rankings for a potential opponent, leaving “RDR” in with a chance.
Option 3 – Paulo Costa
As always, I have saved the best for last. A matchup between Paulo Costa and Reinier de Ridder is a frankly mouth-watering thought. The power and striking of Costa vs the judo and jiu-jitsu of “RDR”. It is a true blending of mixed martial arts, and whilst it may not propel de Ridder far up the rankings, with Costa being ranked just one place above him in #13, it will reinforce his hype massively. Despite being 1-4 in his last 5 fights, “The Eraser” remains a firm UFC fan favourite. He is also one of the few middleweights who can match Reinier de Ridder’s size and stature. A potential fight seems perfect, with the only holdup being Paulo Costa’s rumoured fight with Roman Kopylov. However, if this is not already finalised, I would love to see a war between “The Eraser” and “RDR” take centre stage instead.
In conclusion, all three fights have potential for Reinier de Ridder’s next challenge. Vettori seems the most likely, Costa the most exciting and Borralho the long-shot. Let us see what Dana White and the UFC brass decide is next for the surging Dutchman.
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