The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Daniel Cormier TV - Bo Nickal on loss to Reinier de Ridder, Rodolfo Vieira fight, taken off main card

Episode Date: November 15, 2025

Bo Nickal IS BACK on the Daniel Cormier Check-In series ahead of his MASSIVE fight headline the prelims between him and Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322 in New York City's Madison Square Garden! Nickal talks about losing his first career MMA fight to Reinier de Ridder and how that has motivated him to get a statement win over Vieira in New York. Bo speaks on his haters, and explains why he does not want them back on the bandwagon once he starts winning again. Plus, don't miss a hilarious conversation between Bo and DC on what would happen if they wrestled each other today! All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Thank you. Big time fight this weekend, UFC 322. He's fighting against the... What's that guy's name again? I keep mixing him and Rodriguez up. Hadolfo Villar. I keep mixing up Hadovo Vieira and Gregory Rodriguez. He's fighting Adolfo Vieira.

First fight back from the first loss of your career. We will get into all of that. Well, we'll get into all of it because I believe it's all part of the journey, right? Totally. But when we go back to that, right? When we go back to that fight, my explanation is I think that the riddle was just underestimated and undervalued. It might have been a bigger jump than you needed at the time.

When you look at it in hindsight, do you feel like maybe that's what it was? Yeah, totally. I mean, I think that... He beat Robert Whitaker. Yeah, he's obviously a world-class guy. I think coming from different organization, you're like, I don't know how good this guy is. And I had seen, you know, some film where it looked sloppy. It didn't look great, but it turns out like that's more, that's his style.

He makes a fight that way. He did it with me. He did it with Robert Whitaker. And, yeah, I think I overlooked him a little bit in a way. I wasn't as prepared for the fight as I should have been. But it's a good lesson. And, you know, I definitely want to take it in stride and just keep improving. When I remember the first time I lost to Jones, I got taken down.

Was that your first loss? Yeah. Wow. I had gotten taken down. And I was a bit surprised that he was able to secure. takedowns. He was able to wrestle with me and compete with me in those areas. Were you surprised? Because I think he might have either got a takedown. He out scrambled you in the first period. When you went to that corner between rounds, what were you thinking being that it was more,

you had dealt with more adversity in that round dude you ever dealt with in your career up to that point? Yeah, absolutely. You know, honestly, I'll just be honest. Going to the corner after the first round, I was like, this is not good. Yeah. It's not good. Because It wasn't the wrestling or the grappling or anything. He actually, I went for a guillotine, and I kind of went to sweep him. He caught his feet on the cage. And then ended up on top of me. And I was like, well, that wasn't good.

But when I got up fine, I was like, no worries. But what really got me was the body shot. So he landed like eight or nine sneaky knees to the body. The first five, I was like, oh, no big deal. Yeah. I'm not meeting those. Like, no problem. And then, like, they started adding up.

And I was like, oh, frick. like he just landed like a clean knee to the body his like seventh or eighth one and I was like yeah I'm starting to feel this is not yeah so those that was what caught me off guard more than anything and that I knew I was in trouble after that many of them it wasn't just like one it was just the quantity yeah and so the fight happens what does the process look like going back having to kind of go through those emotions deal with those emotions because we lose in wrestling at times right, especially young, right? We don't lose as much as we age,

but when we're younger, we learn to lose a little bit or deal with that. But in this career, it's something different. What was your process like when you were like, I need to build back? Because you were so highly regarded, people start piling on you and piling on you.

Like, what does that process look like when you're building back? You know, the first initial feeling, I was just pissed. I was just really pissed because not even because of my performance, because I felt like I didn't prepare well enough. I felt like I should have been better prepared going to that fight,

and that's just on me, like, for getting better preparation. And yeah, maybe lack of experience, I didn't understand or know that. But that's what makes me mad is I feel like going into the fight, I didn't really, like, give myself a good chance to win the fight. You know, because if I give myself a chance to win and I can stay in there, even if you look at his fight with Whitaker, Whitaker at least gave himself a chance to win, and he'd knocked him down, so it was a close fight.

But I feel like I didn't even really get into the fight. So that was very frustrating for me and it pissed me off. And so from there, like, the way I've always responded to any loss I've had since I've been young, since I've been five, six was like, let's work. Go to work. Go to work. Like, I'm not worried about what just happened. I'm pissed off. And, like, I'm just getting after this, like, straight back to training, straight back to work.

I need to get better. Like, can't have that happen again, right? Like, I'm not saying that I can't ever lose again because stuff happens, but, like, I'm never going to be as unprepared as I was for that. last fight. What did you do different? Did you change something in your preparation this time? I would say I changed my preparation a little bit, but it was more with my mindset than anything else. You could probably speak to this, but in wrestling, the goal of a wrestling match is to control your opponent. I'm worried about controlling this guy. All right, I need to take him down, hold him down, but I'm not worried about like doing damage. Yep. And that fight taught me like what wins in fights is damage, right?

Because you can control him all you want. It doesn't matter. But if he lands eight knees to the body, that takes more of a toll than him having to get back up to his feet. Totally. And so that was my mindset shift from, all right, like, I'm in here trying to control you to, I'm in here, I'm trying to control position, but that leads to doing damage. So, like, that's been my main focus for this last camp is, like, how can I just, like, mess this dude up, basically? Like, and that shift in my mindset has been huge.

Like, my sparring rounds are different. Like, everything in my training has been very different because of that. So, you know, I'm excited. I feel like I have a different perspective on fighting than what I did. prior to my last fight. So you start to get the call that it's going to be your opponent this weekend. And what is your initial thought? Because he's a very, very good grappler, right?

Jiu-Jitsu fighter. Last time he fought a guy with good grappling. Was in Madison Square. You just stood with him. You kind of gave way your greatest ability, which is your wrestling. When you get this opponent, what are you thinking when they say it's Adolfo Villa? Yeah, I mean, well, I had asked for him, like, couple years ago because I thought one it was an exciting matchup between a grappler versus a

wrestling guy and so immediately right away after the fight I basically told the UFC Hunter I was like get me in there like ASAP like let's go again like I want to go in a couple months and yeah you know I kind of cooled off a little bit and then I was like all right maybe you know August September's perfect they're like how about MSG and I'm like yeah just whatever you guys say I'm doing it so this is the first opponent they offered me I said absolutely let's go and I think that you know having my last two guys that I fought been high-level jiu-suitzu guys. It's a great prep for this one. And then, you know, with the shift of my mindset, more focusing on myself, more of a different mentality going into fighting, I feel really good about it. And yeah, it's a great opportunity for me to bounce back.

So, you know, he's a guy that is, you know, multiple-time world champion in jiu-jitsu, very high-level. But the last couple guys I fought have had 25-plus fights. Yeah. Right? You know, these guys are... Long-time veterans. Long-time veterans, the last two guys I thought were both six-foot-four. So I feel pretty good going to a guy that only has double the amount of fights that I have. He only has 15 maybe fights. And, you know, I'm a little taller than him, too. So that, to me, is, like, I'm excited about it, and I feel like it's a good match-up.

You know, I respect his skills and what he can do out there, but I'm looking to go do my thing. Does it always – you're always going to be able to experience disadvantage, because everything's happened so fast. Right. Right. But in this fight this weekend, with Vieira, do you feel like a little bit of the pressures off because of the, I'm not undefeated anymore?

Look, we look around the landscape of fighting. The Americans are struggling. Call it for what it is, right? We have no male champions. We have no males in the top 10 pound for pound. You are this bright-looking young wrestler has all this stuff. we all start going bow nickel, bow nickel, bow nickel, bow nickel, but then the fight happens and people start jumping off and they go, this guy's not what he's supposed to be.

Does it feel good to not have that pressure of that anymore, though? You know, I haven't really thought about it that way. I feel more so like I have something to prove, right? Like the pressure for me is just part of it. Like I feel like every time, since I've competed from being seven years old, I had like a target on my back. Everybody wanted to beat me. Everybody wanted to come after me.

I think a little bit because of, you know, how I look. I'm not like a typical wrestler-fighter build. Like, they were like, oh, I could, so I always felt like I had that pressure that other people maybe didn't. So I still feel that coming into this fight. But I feel like way more motivated and way more like I got, I didn't feel really like I had anything to prove in my last fight. Yeah. Like this fight, I feel like I do. And that's, I think, a great thing.

I feel really motivated. I feel confident. And I'm honestly just fired up about it. So, you know, mentally I feel like this is a great place for me to be. You know, if you carry a chip on your shoulder, right? At times, it can really propel you forward, right? Because the naysayers and the haters, they can't crush you because they can't do you anything. Right.

They really can't do you anything. Right. But you can ultimately stick it to them. Right. Right. This is an opportunity to do that. But when you, Chale and I discussed on our show a couple weeks ago, is it a demotion that you're fighting on the prelims?

Well, did you have much to say about that when that happened? You go, you know what? I'm going to earn my way, and I'm going to show you guys that I am who I said I was. Absolutely. I feel like if I could redo my career, this was out of my control, but the one thing I would change is I would have started off there. Yeah. Right.

Like my career, we started off UFC. It was on pay-per-view right away. Yeah. My first fight in the UFC was UFC 285 pay-per-view. My second fight in the UFC 290 pay-per-view. My third fight in the UFC was UFC 300. pay-per-view. Yeah.

And then my fourth fight was MSG. Yeah. So it's like... Big fight, big fight, big fight, big card. Every single fight has been what it was. And to be fair, like, looking back at those cards, I probably, like, I guess I didn't earn my stripes in an MMA, in MMA, but the reason I was there was my wrestling, my wrestling background and my wrestling fans that I bring on the table, which for some

reason, people can't comprehend that. It doesn't make sense. It's business, right? Like, they want the viewership, right? But, yeah, considering my MMA accolades, like, I shouldn't have been with. 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. And the only thing I think is I get to get home and get to bed earlier and, you know, won't be out until 4 a.m.

Like last year, so I'm pumped about that. Bo, do you still, we always ask, who's the next great American champion? Like, that was really thrown on you. Do, and people are like, oh, I was talking to floor, wrestling the other day, I go, I'm not ready to give up on Bo Nickel. Do you still feel like you could still be the next American guy to climb that ladder and go in? And how far off do you think you are now, right, to ultimately try to put yourself in that position? I mean, 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, you know, to be number one. So for me,

that's part of I'm not going to fight unless I feel like I am motivated to be world champion and be the best. And I think that I'm not super far off, right? Like the last guy that I fought Derritter, he goes beats Whitaker. He's in a title elimination. I think he's in the top five right now. He's number five, yeah. He just lost his last fight, but I feel like, you know, he was right in there for a title shot. So I look at where I'm at, I think I win this fight two to three more, and I'm in title contention pretty easily.

The sport is a crazy sport. You know, guys can jump up very fast. As far as being, you know, American representation, like I'm 100% fired up and happy to do that. But I do think that we have a lot of other guys that are coming up that are going to do really well. Sean Brady is that guy. It's an absolute savage, you know.

He had a loss to Belaw, but you saw him bounce back since then. Well, he just beat Leon Edwards too. Yeah, and I mean, he's a guy that's an unbelievable talent. So I think there's American guys that are right in there that are going to be entitled contention. and winning belts. What do you make a Gable, Steven? I was pumped, you know?

Dude, the fact that he's just striking is crazy. It is crazy, you know? He really, like, is just beating dudes up out here. He mean, too. And this is the thing, I've said this about fighter, about wrestlers transition to fighting. If you're a wrestler, you want to fight, go get a fight. Don't, like, pitter-patter around and train for two years or whatever.

Like, go get a fight, you know? It's an Amish fighter. Gable, obviously, he went straight to pro fights and has dominated, which is great. But that's what I like about what he's doing is he's saying, I'm going to fight. He's already got two fights in a couple months. Like, that's great. And I think that shows, it just shows, like, you know, confidence. It shows that, like, he's really in here.

So I hope that he's a guy that's so talented. He can do whatever. But if he really sticks to this, like, I think he can be right up there with the top of you see guys. Very short order. Yeah. Especially heavyweight. Yeah. Last one before I let you go.

We, you get a lot of support. still regardless. But we tend to latch on to that negative. Yeah. Right. Are you aware of that when you're watching it? Do you like kind of pay attention to it? And if you do, what's your message to these people when after Saturday and in two fights, they kind of all want to come back? Yeah, for sure. You know, I think that you mentioned it earlier, but like having a chip on your shoulder, it can be a really powerful thing. And I've always had that a little bit and felt like,

you know, I do have like this, this little thing in the back of my mind that's motivating me of, oh, people don't think you can do this or whatever, this or that. So it absolutely motivates me. And I feel like the people that want to be wishy-washy and on the bandwagon and off, like, it's just like I don't really pay any mind to that. Like I have so many people that that love me and support me. I really value that. And, you know, if you're with me, you're with me. If you're not, then, you know, don't, don't try to come over here. Just, I would rather, you just be negative. The whole time.

The whole time. Don't come back. Don't come back. Don't come back. I don't want to see you guys, right? Like, if you're a wrestling fan, you're a Penn State fan, you know, you're with me forever. I know that for facts. But if you're, you know, in here, out here, it's like, just hate on me.

Just tell me I suck. Because that's better. It's better. It motivates you. I like it. Yeah, I like it. I used to try to fight for their cheers. But in the moment I was like, I don't care what you do.

I'm still collecting my checks. It made it so much better. That's how I feel. I'm like, man, either way, you love me or hate me, you're going to watch. You're going to watch. Bo, Nick will fight this weekend at UFC 322. He is going to be in the main prelim right before the pay-per-view. Boe Nickel is one of the best wrestlers to come in the MMA.

Obviously, still a very young prospect and good prospect in all the fighting. Bo, thanks for checking in, man. I appreciate you. Until next time, guys. Peace. Hey, guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick.

And guess what? We created our own podcast. called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Kunky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast.

I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the.

year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was hungry. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming to you.

He's like, you know, I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva. And on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be?

I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to futas to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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