Khamzat Chimaev put on alert by USA’s middleweight phenom Bo Nickal edging closer to dream fight

At UFC 300, middleweight prospect Bo Nickal makes his long-awaited return to action against Cody Brundage. But before the historic fight card takes shape, the fighter has fired on Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev and Nickal had engaged in mild banter for a while now. Chimaev has been reeling from subsequent injury and health issues. Recently, speaking in an interview, the fighter gave updates about his surgery and subsequently eyeing a return at UFC 300 himself.

With Paulo Costa pulling out due to a staph infection, Chiamev faced Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. Usman performed admirably in the matchup, despite incurring a decision loss later. Chimaev on the other hand had exerted himself in the very first round and even broke his arm. This had caught much flack from peers and fans alike. Now, here’s what Nickal had to say about facing off against a primed Chimaev, to MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani:

I believe so…I believe in myself and I think that my skills match up very well against him. I feel like that’s a fight that I win.

Bo Nickal via The MMA Hour

Nickal mentioned that there is a lot to be said about former P4P king Usman matching up to the freestyle wrestling base of somebody as strong as Chimaev. And that concurrently, there are “holes” in Chimaev’s game. Nickal, the 5-0-0 wrestler on an all-winning streak, is thus sure of his chances.

Nickal made his pro-MMA debut in March 2023. The 3-time NCAA Division I National Champion, Nickal is also the 2019 U23 World Champion/US Open National champion (finalist in 2016) and a collegiate wrestler. But Chiamev himself is not too bothered with his callout of being ‘disappointed’ to not get asked to fight.

Bo Nickal weighs in on UFC 300 card placement

Following Islam Makhachev‘s USA vs. Dagestani wrestling aspirations, Bo Nickal is the fight to be made. For long he had correspondingly eyed a clash with Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev, on the other hand, is reeling from an arm injury and a possible case of measles. Recently, appearing in an interview with MMA Hour, Nickal disclosed he remains confident in his prospect of going up against Chimaev.

Additionally, he also looked forward to returning from his planned layoff after his 38-second KO of Val Woodburn at last year’s International Fight Week. On asked if he would be placed on the prelims of UFC 300 or PPV, Nickal responded by saying that any placement would be fine. He does think that he could be part of the PPV, as he was the last 2 times around in his UFC career.

The Dana White‘s Contender Series graduate also happens to be a runner-up in MMA News’ 2023 Newcomer of the Year award. The fighter next competes at UFC 300, which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 13.

In case you missed it:

• WATCH: Alex Pereira hilariously trolls Khamzat Chimaev for choosing easier path to glory sharing iconic Kung Fu Hustle scene
• “It’s bullsh**” – Brendan Allen exposes Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight rankings after beating former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman

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