Though we’ve already had some high profile matchups take place, the biggest fights of 2025 are still to come.
There is constant conversation and rumor regarding the status of Jon Jones facing Tom Aspinall in a huge title unification clash.
The return of ‘La Leyenda’ at lightweight is also right up there on the list of the most anticipated fights with Ilia Topuria calling out Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira.
Another name that fight fans are eager to see make his next move is the undefeated middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev.
It looks like he will be the next man to challenge for the 185-pound title with Chimaev vs Dricus du Plessis being another tough to call blockbuster that could happen in the coming months.
Bo Nickal says a fight with Khamzat Chimaev would be one of the most exciting fights that the UFC could put on
Despite the significance of Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev, another middleweight contender believes that there is a bigger fight in the division.
The undefeated Bo Nickal has been linked with Chimaev ever since he arrived in the UFC due to both men’s dominant wrestling credentials.
With four consecutive wins, the American has steadily made his way up the 185-pound ladder with a big fight against Reinier de Ridder set for May 3.
The 29-year-old is seemingly the only contender in the division that could counter the aggressive and dangerous grappling of Chimaev and that alone makes it incredibly interesting.
Nickal knows that it’s not going to happen right now but he did tell Home of Fight in a recent interview that he believes the matchup would only be behind Jones vs Aspinall and Topuria’s next outing as the biggest and best fights that the UFC could put together.
“100%, that’s the most exciting fight there is in the division in my opinion. I think as far as the fights in the UFC, you’ve got at the top, Jones and Aspinall, you got Ilia potentially with Islam or another 55’er and then I think right after that, the most exciting fight next is me and Khamzat. That’s something that the fans need to see, that I want to see, I’m sure he wants it as well so I just got to keep winning fights and we’ll make it happen.”
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Bo Nickal expects Khamzat Chimaev to beat Dricus du Plessis
Bo Nickal isn’t just hoping that Khamzat Chimaev becomes the middleweight champion so that he can fight him for the title, he believes that ‘Borz’ will take the gold from Dricus du Plessis.
He gave his prediction for the fight in the same interview where he outlined where both men have advantages in the expected title fight.
Despite giving du Plessis some props, Nickal doesn’t believe that anything will prepare the South African champion for the wrestling of his opponent.
“Tough fight. I think that Dricus has the size, he probably has a little better cardio. I think striking is pretty even, Khamzat obviously has a massive advantage in the grappling. All that considered, I think I’d give the edge to Khamzat because of that wrestling advantage.
“You know, we really haven’t seen, you just don’t get strong grapplers like that competing. You’re not used to that. No matter what Dricus is going to do, he’s not going to be able to game plan for that and he’s not going to have felt that from anyone. Really the only two guys I believe in the sport that can give that feel are me and Khamzat.”