“They have access to you,” Kamaru Usman reminds Bo Nickal to worry less about ‘pleasing the fans’ and focus on improving

Kamaru Usman advises Bo Nickal to be careful with the overwhelming fan attention.

“They have access to you,” Kamaru Usman reminds Bo Nickal to worry less about ‘pleasing the fans’ and focus on improving

Kamaru Usman shares eye opening advise to Bo Nickal (via Imago)

Bo Nickal is one of the most promising prospects on the current UFC roster. The promotion has frequently pushed him, going as far as putting him on the UFC 300 main card. With all the attention on the fighter, Kamaru Usman has suggested that Nickal should always stay grounded.

Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, on their Pound 4 Pound podcast, recently talked about Nickal’s performance at UFC 300. During the conversation, Usman mentioned that there is much more attention in the UFC than anywhere else. The veteran fighter advised Bo Nickal not to care about fans and just focus on developing skills.

Nothing compared to the world. Especially nowadays when they have access to you. I think he should just focus on improving…stop worrying about what this guy does or what this guy doesn't.
Kamaru Usman via Porund 4 Pound podcast
YouTube video

Bo Nickal easily beat his opponent Cody Brundage at UFC 300 by submitting him in the second round. Despite Brundage’s relentless attack, Nickal kept himself in control and finally got the rear-naked choke. Currently, the fighter has three consecutive wins in the UFC and is already a much-hyped prospect. 

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Nickal is regarded as one of the most successful wrestlers in US college history. He has won the NCAA championship three times and is a four-time finalist for Penn State. With all the wrestling background, Nickal has high confidence in fighting anybody. However, as Usman stated, the most important thing Nickal should focus on is improving his skill levels to compete against the elite middleweight fighters.

Henry Cejudo suggests Bo Nickal be careful about calling out the top fighters 

After the UFC 300 performance, Bo Nickal immediately showed two thumbs down, conveying that he was not up to the mark. The fighter then mentioned in the post-fight interview that he wanted to finish the fight way earlier than it took. Nickal promised fans he would do better and warned everybody in the division. 

Henry Cejudo suggests Bo Nickal to avoid calling out top contenders
Henry Cejudo suggests Bo Nickal to avoid calling out top contenders (via Bleacher Report/MMA Mania)

Henry Cejudo mentioned that he liked Nickal’s confidence but asked him not to aim too big too early. For now, Cejudo wanted Nickal to slowly fight in a three-round fight and move on to a five-round fight. However, ‘Triple C’ didn’t want Nickal to face top competition at the moment.

I do believe you could be a future champ at 185 lbs but you are not ready for the top 10. If they put you up against a big bodies….can out wrestle you.
Henry Cejudo via Pound 4 Pound podcast

According to the former double champion, big guys in the division can definitely create problems for Nickal. Cejudo believed that the young fighter should climb the rankings slowly and should not be hasty with his callouts. Only time will tell what is in store for Nickal after UFC 300 performance.

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