In an action-driven night of mixed martial arts, the marquee showdown between Bo Nickal and Reinier de Ridder delivered all and more. Much to everyone’s surprise, Nickal’s undefeated streak was unexpectedly cut short. Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champ, suffered his first loss in an otherwise impressive eight-fight MMA career. The fight ended with a bang in the second round. What happened next was de Ridder most viciously earned his nickname as he blasted a combination of knees to Nickal’s body.
Nickal was able to break through with a takedown less than two minutes into the fight, showcasing his elite wrestling pedigree. De Ridder soon turned the tables, taking over the fight and setting the tempo. In the championship rounds, particularly the second round, de Ridder let his heavy hands go. That critical play truly was a TKO that shocked both connoisseurs and practitioners of the sport.
Cory Sandhagen, a once-lost star of the bantamweight division, got his groove back against former two-time flyweight titleholder Deiveson Figueiredo. Sandhagen delivered a second round finish to former UFC flyweight champion Figueiredo too, staking his claim to be among the elite of the UFC’s bantamweight class. Figueiredo, the fifth-ranked fighter in the ESPN men’s bantamweight rankings, was an intimidating presence. These strategies were not enough when countered by Sandhagen’s tireless barrage.
Sandhagen’s fight to reclaim his championship fate has been a tumultuous one. He eventually fell short in his Interim Title bout against Petr Yan in 2021. He would soon face disappointment again in title eliminators against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Aljamain Sterling. This latest win means Sandhagen is once again on pace in his pursuit of a UFC title.
“If you don’t know how to play the 50-50 [position], your knee gets popped,” said Sandhagen after his fight, hinting at the tactical nuances that can define outcomes in MMA.
In one of the most impressive performances of the night, Gillian Robertson absolutely throttled Andrea Rodriguez on her way to a second-round TKO. This defeat spelled the third straight loss for Rodriguez and the fifth in her last six fights. In the immediate aftermath of the fight, Rodriguez declared her retirement from mixed martial arts, capping off a remarkable professional tenure.
It was a night of high drama and important implications for upcoming clashes. Sandhagen, having turned in such a performance against Figueiredo, delivered an emotional callout for a throne shot on the mic, audibly crying while doing so.
“I’ve dreamed of being a world champion for more than half of my life now. UFC, please give me an opportunity to show how great I am to the whole world. Please!” he expressed fervently.
Aljamain Sterling is the reigning UFC champion. It’s doubtful that he will receive the chance he craves to fight for the championship belt.
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