The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Daniel Cormier TV

Episode: Bo Nickal on Loss to Reinier de Ridder, Rodolfo Vieira Fight, Taken Off Main Card

Release Date: November 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and introspective interview with UFC prospect Bo Nickal, who sits down with the host (likely Chael Sonnen) to discuss the aftermath of his first career loss to Reinier de Ridder, his upcoming fight against Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322, and reactions to being moved from the main card to the prelims. Nickal opens up about lessons learned, shifting mentalities, dealing with public expectations, and his motivation to reclaim momentum and chase a UFC world title. The tone is honest, motivational, and at times humorous, with both men sharing personal insights into the challenges of high-level MMA.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflections on the Loss to Reinier de Ridder

• Underestimating an Opponent ([06:02])
  Bo Nickal admits he overlooked de Ridder, not fully appreciating his skill despite de Ridder’s win over Robert Whittaker:

  “I think coming from different organization, you're like, I don't know how good this guy is... but, that’s his style. He makes the fight that way. He did it with me, he did it with Robert Whitaker, and, yeah, I think I overlooked him a little bit.” — Bo Nickal [06:06]

• The Pivotal Moment — Taking Body Damage ([07:22])
  Nickal recalls the surprising effect of cumulative knees to the body and how it shifted his fight:

  “He landed, like... eight or nine sneaky knees to the body.... They start adding up. And I was like, oh, frick. Like, he just landed, like, a clean knee to the body... I knew I was in trouble after that many of them, it wasn't just like one, it was just the quantity.” — Bo Nickal [07:22]

• Emotional Aftermath and Self-assessment ([08:32])
  He was more frustrated with himself for poor preparation than with the actual result:

  “I was just pissed… I felt like I didn’t prepare well enough. I should have been better prepared going into that fight. That’s just on me.” — Bo Nickal [08:32]
  Nickal emphasizes returning to hard work and immediately getting back in the gym as his coping mechanism after losses.

2. Mindset Shifts & Training Adjustments

• From Control to Damage ([09:43])
  The defeat reshaped Nickal’s perspective on MMA versus wrestling:

  “The goal of a wrestling match is to control your opponent... That fight taught me, like, what wins in fights is damage.” — Bo Nickal [09:43]
  His focus in camp changed to maximize offensive output in sparring, prioritizing damage instead of simply controlling position.

• Preparation for Rodolfo Vieira ([11:06])
  Nickal requested to face Vieira, seeing it as a compelling test of wrestling vs. jiu-jitsu.

  “I had asked for him, like, a couple of years ago... it was an exciting matchup between a grappler versus a wrestling guy. This is the first opponent they offered me. I said, absolutely. Let's go.” — Bo Nickal [11:06]

3. Handling Pressure, Expectations & the Prelim Demotion

• Loss of Undefeated Status ([13:19])
  Discussing pressure relief, Nickal says the loss fuels him with something to prove:

  “I feel more so like I have something to prove... I still feel that [pressure] coming into this fight. But I feel way more motivated... It's a great place for me to be.” — Bo Nickal [13:19]

• On Being Taken Off the Main Card ([14:44])
  He reflects on his rapid escalation to high-profile UFC cards and is unfazed by being on the prelims:

  “The one thing I would change is I would have started off there... My first fight in the UFC was UFC 285 pay per view... considering my MMA accolades, like, I shouldn't have been where I was. But all that to be said, like, I'm perfectly happy to be where I'm at, you know, main prelim here, MSG, it's a big opportunity for me.” — Bo Nickal [14:44, 15:26]

4. The Next Great American Champion & Peers in the Mix

• On Still Chasing a World Title ([16:19])

  “100%. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe I could be the best in the world at it. Everything I’ve done since a little kid, I’ve done it to be the best and to be number one.... I think I win this fight, two to three more, and I’m in title contention pretty easily.” — Bo Nickal [16:19]

• Assessment of Other American Prospects ([17:11])
  Bo shows confidence in the new wave of American talent:

  “Sean Brady… that’s unbelievable talent… I think there’s American guys that are right in there that are going to be in title contention and winning belts.” — Bo Nickal [17:11, 17:19]

• On Gable Steveson’s Start in MMA ([17:31])

  “If you’re a wrestler, you want to fight, go get a fight... Gable… has dominated, which is great, but that’s what I like about what he's doing. If he really sticks to this, like, I think he can be right up there with the top UFC guys.” — Bo Nickal [17:31]

5. Managing Critics, Motivation & Fan Loyalty

• Embracing the Chip on His Shoulder ([18:46])
  Bo openly embraces criticism as motivation, preferring honest naysayers over fickle fans:

  “I have so many people that... love me and support me. If you’re with me, you’re with me. If you’re not, then, you know, don’t... try to come over here. Just... be negative the whole time.” — Bo Nickal [18:46]
  “I like it... You love me or hate me, you're going to watch.” — Bo Nickal [19:43, 19:51]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Underestimating De Ridder:
  “I think I overlooked him a little bit... I wasn’t as prepared for the fight as I should have been. But it’s a good lesson.” — Bo Nickal [06:06]
• On Taking Accumulated Damage:
  “He just landed, like, a clean knee to the body is like seventh or eighth one. And I was like, yeah, I’m starting to feel this.” — Bo Nickal [07:22]
• On Mindset Switching from Wrestling to Fighting:
  “That fight taught me, like, what wins in fights is damage… My main focus for this last camp is, like, how can I just, like, mess this dude up, basically.” — Bo Nickal [10:01, 10:11]
• On Prelim Placement:
  “Main prelim here, MSG, it's a big opportunity for me. The only thing I think is I get to get home and get to bed earlier.” — Bo Nickal [15:27]
• On Title Aspirations:
  “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe I could be the best in the world at it.” — Bo Nickal [16:19]
• On Critics and Fans:
  “If you’re with me, you’re with me. If you're not, then… don't try to come over here… Just hate on me.… I like it.” — Bo Nickal [18:18–19:43]

Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• [06:02–08:32] — Honest breakdown of de Ridder loss (what went wrong, emotional aftermath)
• [09:43–10:39] — Mindset & training overhaul: from control-fighting to seeking damage
• [11:06–12:31] — Accepting (even requesting) the Vieira matchup, and outlook after adversity
• [13:19–14:44] — Handling pressure, "chip on shoulder," and meaning of being off the main card
• [16:19–17:19] — Ambitions for a title, optimism about other rising American fighters
• [18:46–19:43] — Motivation from critics, "love me or hate me, you’re going to watch"

Conclusion

This episode offers a raw look at Bo Nickal’s mindset in the wake of his first professional MMA defeat, with insightful discussion into the psychology of rebounding from adversity and embracing growth. Nickal shows humility, self-awareness, and renewed focus heading into UFC 322, while the rapport with the host provides levity and perspective on athlete development and fan culture in MMA. This is an episode for fans interested in the mental journey of elite fighters—not just the action inside the cage.