‘Dog piling’ critics get response from Bo Nickal coach after upsetting defeat 

UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal's coach slammed critics after a recent devastating loss at UFC Des Moines.

‘Dog piling’ critics get response from Bo Nickal coach after upsetting defeat 

Bo Nickal's coach addresses criticism after latest loss (via X)

The MMA community is often unforgiving when a hyped fighter fails to deliver and suffers a brutal, career-defining loss unexpectedly. Bo Nickal, once seen as unstoppable, faced intense backlash after getting TKOed and losing his undefeated record at UFC Des Moines. The former ONE champion Reinier de Ridder shocked fans by decisively finishing Nickal and derailing the rising star’s momentum.

During the fight, De Ridder proved that experience matters, using superior technique and composure to systematically break down Nickal. The All-American wrestling standout looked overwhelmed and unprepared, drawing heavy criticism online for his lackluster and ineffective performance. Afterward, coach Mike Brown posted on Instagram, sharing insights on the fight while defending Nickal against the wave of harsh criticism.

One thing Bo doesn’t have is live fighting cage time and for this there is no substitution. MMA fight experience is crucial and actual time in the cage is extremely important ….This past weekend Bo’s lack of experience showed, his wrestling and athleticism wasn’t enough to overcome what was in front of him…To all the critics dog piling, remember Bo is nothing more than a man in an arena trying to support himself and his family.

Mikey Brown via Instagram 

Brown mentioned that despite Nickal’s lack of experience in the cage, the UFC was pushing him at an alarming rate. The fighter was often seen being part of huge pay-per-view events, over other proven superstars of the promotion. According to the coach, experience like this was necessary for the former NCAA wrestling ace to bounce back and become a champion. 

Nickal has also made a post after the defeat and promised to make a strong comeback soon. Apart from all the criticism, the fighter revived support from the likes of Henry Cejudo, Ariel Helwani to make a strong comeback. It will be interesting to see whether the wrestling prodigy finds a way to turn the tide of his MMA career.

Former UFC champion predicted Bo Nickal’s loss

Since joining the UFC, Bo Nickal has confidently boasted about his skills while openly feuding with top-tier wrestlers in the division. He repeatedly targeted Khamzat Chimaev, labeling his wrestling “average” and questioning his legitimacy as a top middleweight contender. Nickal even went further by mocking Team Khabib and the revered Dagestani wrestling system, drawing attention and stirring major controversy.

Bo Nickal lost to Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines
Bo Nickal lost to Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines (via X)

All this brought him fame and attention but also attracted haters, which ultimately backfired after his recent fight loss. His previous fight was at UFC 309, where he got booed by the MSG crowd for a lackluster win. After his latest loss, former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling shared his views about the size disadvantage of Nickal.

I hate that I was right but the size disparity for Nickal at 185 is very apparent.

Aljamain Sterling via X 

The UFC middleweight division is filled with absolute killers who are extremely big in size in comparison to Nickal. After his defeat, it won’t be surprising to see the fighter potentially moving down and fighting in the welterweight division. The 170-lbs division is mostly consist with wrestlers who will be a good match for Nickal’s strength.

Can Bo Nickal make a resounding comeback?

Maintaining an undefeated record in MMA is extremely hard, especially fighting for a competitive promotion like UFC. Five months into 2025, many fighters, including Umar Nurmagomedov, Carlos Prates, Sharaputdin Magomedov, etc have lost their undefeated record. Bo Nickal’s loss may be a blessing in disguise, offering him a chance to reset mentally and rebuild his fighting style. 

Bo Nickal's comeback is possible
Bo Nickal’s comeback is possible (via X)

Many great champions like Islam Makhachev suffered early defeats, only to learn, adapt, and later dominate their divisions with unmatched skill. Similarly, Charles Oliveira also endured multiple setbacks before evolving into one of the most dangerous and respected finishers in UFC history. If Nickal stays humble, addresses his weaknesses, he could return stronger and eventually reach championship heights.