Three-time NCAA champ Bo Nickal not same level as Chechen star Khamzat Chimaev in MMA wrestling, claim UFC pros

Roberto Moicano and Gilbert Burns pick between Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev.

Three-time NCAA champ Bo Nickal not same level as Chechen star Khamzat Chimaev in MMA wrestling, claim UFC pros

Bo Nickal vs. Khamzat Chimaev ( Image source: L/R- Imago )

Renato Moicano and Gilbert Burns have given their take on a potential fight between Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev. The two recently made their pick on the recent episode of the ‘Show Me the Money’ podcast. While they mutually agreed that Nickal is more powerful in wrestling, in overall MMA Khamzat Chimaev is the favorite for both Moicano and Burns.

The host addressed the recent comparison between Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev in the MMA world. He asked Moicano who he thought was a better wrestler between the two. Moicano replied: 

If you’re talking about college wrestling, Bo Nickal. If you talk about MMA, it’s Khamzat.
Renato Moicano via Show Me the Money

Moicano complimented Chimaev’s performance against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. Their fight went the complete distance and Chimaev won the majority decision. Moicano then passed the question to Gilbert Burns who had a similar opinion.

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Burns said that if it was purely wrestling, then surely Nickal would outclass Chimaev. However, if it was about MMA then the two believed that Chimaev is on a different level. Nickal is recently off a win at UFC 300. Meanwhile, ‘Borz’ has an upcoming fight against former champion, Robert Whittaker. It will be interesting to see if the two fighters ever cross paths in the octagon.

Bo Nickal himself is very confident against Khamzat Chimaev

Many MMA veterans and UFC fighters are for or against Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev. UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal recently took a strong stand for the American in a potential fight against Borz. But what does Bo Nickal himself have to say about his chances against the undefeated Chechen?

Bo Nickal berates Khamzat Chimaev
Bo Nickal berates Khamzat Chimaev (via Imago/MMA Fighting)

Interestingly, Bo Nickal had something interesting to say about potentially fighting Khamzat Chimaev. He recently sat down with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Nickal told Helwani that he would do the same to Chimaev as he did to Cody Brundage at UFC 300. The wrestler said he would easily take Chimaev down as he is not a big 185’er and he would “rag doll him” and “throw him around.”

Bo Nickal faced a lot of heat when he landed the main card of UFC 300. Nickal went two rounds with Brundage and ultimately submitted him with a rear naked choke. As for the criticism, Nickal is only three fights into his UFC career. He believes once he establishes himself in the promotion people will be more accepting of his ability and potential as a top contender of the sport.

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