Bo Nickal Faces Elite BJJ Fighter on Islam Makhachev’s PPV Card After ‘Fraud-Check’ Moment

A middleweight clash between Bo Nickal and BJJ specialist Rodolfo Vieira was just announced for the UFC 322 card.

Bo Nickal Faces Elite BJJ Fighter on Islam Makhachev’s PPV Card After ‘Fraud-Check’ Moment

Bo Nickal returns to the Octagon against Rodolfo Vieira (via Forbes, Planet Sport)

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In every UFC card, certain matchups immediately stand out for their stylistic intrigue. Fans often look beyond the main event to see which bouts could deliver the most compelling storylines, and UFC 322 now has one such fight added to its lineup. The middleweight bout between Bo Nickal and Rodolfo Vieira was just announced and is building up to be grappling chess match.

Nickal, a decorated wrestler and rising prospect, has quickly established himself as one of the brightest talents in the UFC. His dominance on the mats and ability to transition that skill set into MMA have made him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. However, his previous outing in the Octagon did not end well as he was knocked out by Reinier De Ridder in May 2025.

Nickal will meet Vieira on November 15th at the Madison Square Garden in a fascinating middleweight clash. Both men bring world-class grappling to the table, though they specialize in very different disciplines. However, the UFC 322 card is already stacked with two super fights as Islam Makhachev takes on Jack Della Maddalena, and Weili Zhang moves up to take on Valentina Shevchenko.

Vieira is widely respected as one of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to enter the UFC. Known for his world-class submission skills, he has always been a threat once the fight hits the ground. He has notable submission wins in the UFC over the likes of Armen Petrosyan and Cody Brundage. However, his UFC career has not been entirely successful.

This is largely due to losses against ranked contenders, including a unanimous decision loss to Chris Curtis and a submission loss to Anthony Hernandez. Vieira is a decorated four-time IBJJF world champion and the 2015 ADCC world champion. His performance against two-time world champion Braulio Estima earned him the black belt after winning the Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship.

With an impressive record of 100 wins, nine losses, and one draw, Vieira’s performances earned him the name “Black Belt hunter”. Ultimately, Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira represents more than just another fight on the schedule. On November 15th, only one man will emerge with momentum, and the middleweight landscape may look very different by the end of the night.

Fans react to Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira being announced for UFC 322

With UFC 322 quickly building into one of the year’s most intriguing cards, the announcement of Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira immediately caught the attention of fight fans. The middleweight clash pits two elite grapplers with contrasting styles against each other, and that combination has sparked plenty of debate online.

Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira for UFC 322
Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira for UFC 322 (via Elite Sports, Tapology)

Some fans voiced strong confidence in Nickal’s rapid rise, suggesting that his wrestling foundation and athleticism would be too much for Vieira to overcome. Many pointed out how Vieira failed to deliver multiple times in the past. However, some were quick to remind everyone of Nickal’s previous loss and recent outings. Here are some fan reactions:

Some leaned toward Vieira, citing his extensive grappling accolades and proven ability to finish fights with submissions. They argued that Nickal’s aggressive approach could play into Vieira’s hands if the fight hits the mat. This divide among fans highlighted just how evenly matched the contest appears on paper, with anticipation building for which skill set will prevail under the lights.

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