UFC Des Moines: 5 Facts

5 Things You Should Know About Today’s UFC Fight Night

Want to go into the card with some insider knowledge? Here are five facts that’ll make you look like the sharpest MMA mind in the room:

1. Reinier de Ridder is fighting for legacy, not paychecks

The Dutchman faces Bo Nickal and isn’t here for the money — he owns a successful physiotherapy clinic back home. A former two-division ONE FC champion, he’s already 2-0 in the UFC and chasing greatness, not a payday.

2. Montel Jackson is more than a striker

He holds the bantamweight record for most knockdowns in UFC history — 11 and counting. But did you know Montel was once on track for the Olympics in wrestling? He had offers from top colleges but turned them all down to take care of his sick grandparents. Family first — then the fight game.

3. Daniel Marcos: Undefeated and unexpected

Jackson’s opponent is Peru’s Daniel Marcos, a 17-0 dark horse who didn’t even start training MMA until he was 21. He grew up dreaming of being a midfielder in football but couldn’t afford the fees. From barista to street vendor during COVID, Marcos fought his way out of Lima and into the UFC.

4. Azamat Bekoev: Ossetia’s first UFC fighter

Bekoev made headlines with a KO win in his UFC debut — but not long ago, he was driving Uber to make ends meet. Now, he’s the first fighter from Ossetia to enter the Octagon. He took that debut on short notice and made it count.

5. Mason Jones gets a rare second shot

Cut from the UFC in 2022 after going 1-2, the Welsh warrior went back to Cage Warriors, stacked four wins, and earned his way back. He’s a lifelong martial artist — judo, boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ, taekwondo — and was once ranked top five in Welsh judo. Could this be a Brandon Moreno-type comeback?

Every fighter has a story!

Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!