Rising star Bo Nickal getting removed from UFC rankings sparks brutal reactions: “Fought cans so far”

Top UFC prospect Bo Nickal has no spot in the newly updated UFC top 15 middleweight rankings after his last performance.

Rising star Bo Nickal getting removed from UFC rankings sparks brutal reactions: “Fought cans so far”

Bo Nickal isn't one of the top 15 middleweight middleweights in UFC anymore (via MMA Fighting)

Bo Nickal has immense potential to become a future champion in the UFC. Known for his bold statements and unwavering confidence, the middleweight fighter has consistently made headlines. However, recent changes in his rankings have sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

The new middleweight rankings saw Bo Nickal getting kicked out of the top 15 fighters. This caught the attention of fans, given that the UFC always promotes the decorated college wrestler. The All-American made his way to the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series and debuted back in 2023.

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Since then, Nickal has fought four fights and won all of them. Three of them were finishes but his last outing against Paul Craig at UFC 309 was lackluster. The crowd was brutal and booed the fighter for not showing tenacity to finish his opponent. 

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The middleweight division is one of the most stacked and unpredictable divisions. With Nickal not actively participating, there is a decent chance he will not climb the rankings quicker. Nevertheless, his demotion in the UFC rankings did go viral in the MMA community.

Fight fans react to Bo Nickal getting removed from UFC rankings 

Bo Nickal has always received a strong push from the UFC, and it’s not surprising given his background and potential. As a dominant NCAA wrestling champion, he’s exactly the kind of fighter the UFC loves to build up. In the past, he has been part of big pay-per-view events, fighting on the main card irrespective of his experience. 

Bo Nickal submits Jamie Pickett at UFC 285
Bo Nickal submits Jamie Pickett at UFC 285 (via X)

On top of that, the All-American likes to indulge himself in online beef, especially Team Khabib and Dagestani wrestling. He has repeatedly claimed to upstage the impact of Dagestani wrestling, catching the ire of fans. As such, falling down the UFC rankings made him a target of MMA fans. Check out some of the reactions.

Many fans were quick to make fun of Nickal for losing his spot in the middleweight rankings. Others pointed out that the fighter never deserved the spot in the first place. It will be interesting to see how the young American wrestler manages to get back his spot.

Related: Bo Nickal wife: Who is the UFC’s undefeated phenom married to?