“Future middleweight champion” – Who is the new UFC signee Bo Nickal?
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Bo Nickal
If you keep up with the world of MMA, you would have probably heard the name Bo Nickal doing the rounds recently.
The reason for Bo Nickal‘s growing popularity in the world of MMA is quite simple. The middleweight American has taken the sport, its fans and the media by storm ever since showing what he can do inside the octagon.
Taking on Donovan Beard in his latest fight in Dana White’s Contender Series, he finished the 32-year-old within the first minute, successfully attempting a triangle choke submission to end the fight prematurely. The former Penn State wrestler looked extremely composed on his feet, heading into what was only his third fight inside the octagon. Before finishing Beard, he submitted Zachary Borrego in the DWCS, and KO’d John Noland in Jorge Masvidal’s Ikon FC.
The transition from wrestler to fighter has been unexpectedly quick for the American, and that is part of why the MMA world has sat up to take notice of this talented prospect. After his quick finish in the DWCS, a host of tributes to his performance and talent poured in from the MMA community.
Ariel Helwani and Henry Cejudo are two MMA figures who have admonished the heaviest praise on Bo Nickal. Cejudo tweeted, “JUST LIKE THAT! Bo Nickal is one of the best prospects in MMA history, PERIOD. Can’t wait for his UFC debut!”. Meanwhile, Helwani’s tweet read, “Nickal is officially in. He was already in but now he’s in in. One of the UFC’s best prospect signings in a while.”
JUST LIKE THAT! Bo Nickal is one of the best prospects in MMA history, PERIOD. Can't wait for his UFC debut! @NoBickal #DWCS ??
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 28, 2022
Nickal is officially in. He was already in but now he's in in. One of the UFC's best prospect signings in a while.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 28, 2022
Bo Nickal to debut in the UFC against Jamie Pickett at UFC 282 in December
To make things clear, fighting in the DWCS does not entail being part of the UFC itself. The weekly series was conceived in 2017, giving a chance for upcoming fighters to show their skill in the octagon to win a contract to fight in the promotion.
While people questioned why Nickal didn’t land a contract after his previous win over Zachary Borrego, no doubts have been left this time. Dana White had no choice but to hand the contract to Nikal, who looked like the hottest young prospect we have seen in the UFC in a bit. He will now make his debut against 13-8 middleweight Jamie Pickett on the UFC 282 fight card, scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, in December.
Also Read-BACK IN TIME! Dana White’s first-ever introduction to the world as UFC president
No time wasted: Bo Nickal’s (@NoBickal) UFC debut is set vs. Jamie Pickett at #UFC282.
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 29, 2022
Full details: https://t.co/FYlC340Md1 pic.twitter.com/ZcYuDgyrR9
Speaking of hot prospects, Nickal called out a flurry of names that he wishes to take on, after a quick night at the office. He mentioned the likes of Khamzat Chimaev and Logan Paul as possible opponents.
The pace of Bo Nickal’s ascension to the fight game, from his base in wrestling, is unprecedented. However, he might need some experience before he can take on juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev, or even other top 5 middleweights. While Chimaev fights in the welterweight division, he has regularly teased a move to 185 pounds.
Could we see the Swede take on Bo Nickal in the future? Let us know your opinion!
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Udayan Mukherjee
(382 Articles Published)