“Let’s test him”- Dana White clarifies why Bo Nickal was not given a UFC contract after a dominant performance at DWCS 49
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Dana White and Bo Nickal
Last night in UFC Apex, Dana White’s Contender Series 49 took place. In the main event of the card, Bo Nickal took on Zack Borrego. Nickal made quick work of Zack Borrego and defeated him via rear naked choke in round one at 1:02. Nickal was a -300 favourite coming into this fight against Borrego.
Nickal entered the DWCS 49 with a lot of hype behind him given his wrestling credentials. He is a Penn State alum and All-American wrestler. He is also a 3-time NCAA wrestling champion. The American made his debut in MMA pro debut with BMF champion Jorge Masvidal’s iKon fight promotion earlier this year. He picked up the win easily in the round 1st via KO over John Noland.
Bo Nickal trains at the prestigious American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. He was considered one of the “hottest prospect” by media outlets and UFC president Dana White coming into the fight. After his win at the DWCS headliner, he is currently 2-0 in his MMA carrier. Both his wins in his carrier have come by a way of finish in round one.
Dana White was impressed by Bo Nickal’s performance
Generally, that sort of dominant performance on DWCS is nearly a guarantee for a UFC contract. However, Nickal wasn’t awarded the contract with the UFC. This led many in a bit of confusion. In the post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White clarified why Nickal wasn’t awarded a contract with the promotion.
White stated, “He’s 1-0, 2-0 now, fought a kid that was 3-0, made it look really easy, Let’s get him one more fight and let’s test him. (If he) Gets past that with flying colours, we bring him in and we give him a fight in the UFC.”
“I think only one guy has come in at like 1-0 and did anything and I think it was Brock (Lesnar), and to be honest with you, I don’t remember. Brock was something like that. So, yeah, he’s a stud. We still got how many weeks of this, we got eight weeks left of the contender, nine weeks of the contender, Let’s give him another contender fight” White further added.
Upon being asked why Nickal wasn’t awarded the UFC contract, White stated,” He looked incredible. The only reason I didn’t sign him tonight is because he’s 2-0 now. … We got eight more weeks of this. Why not have him fight, here again, you know what I mean? It just makes sense.”
White also stated that, if Nickal wins the second fight, he will be a UFC middleweight. What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think Nickal should’ve been awarded the contract? Let us know in the comments below.
Also Read: “Told you he is a problem,” Bo Nickal debuts with a spectacular KO at Jorge Masvidal’s IKON FC 3 promo
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Abhijit Singh
(125 Articles Published)