Bo Nickal is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in MMA
The three-time NCAA Division I National Champion made the transition to combat sports in 2021.
After a 2-0 amateur career, Bo Nickal turned pro and impressed many with a quick KO win in his debut.
The 29-year-old picked up two first-round submission wins on Dana White’s Contender Series before he finally earned a shot in MMA’s premier promotion.
Bo Nickal proved he’s got hands at UFC 290
Bo Nickal’s UFC 285 debut win over Jamie Pickett saw him score another rapid submission victory.
By the time his UFC 290 fight with Val Woodburn rolled around, fans thought they knew what would happen.
Nickal was expected to utilize his wrestling to take down and submit the 7-0 star – it was the norm.
However, that’s not what happened during the wild 38-second fight that ended in a big KO.
Nickal pretended to shoot for his opponent’s legs before coming over the top with a hook.
Woodburn wobbled as he took several follow-up shots from the UFC middleweight prospect.
Ultimately, a clean uppercut sent Nickal’s rival crashing to the floor where he ate one more ground strike.
After that, the referee stepped in to make the most impressive win of Nickal’s short career official.
What’s next for Bo Nickal?
Bo Nickal was showered with boos despite earning the biggest win of his career at UFC 309 in November.
Chants of ‘overrated’ echoed around Madison Square Garden after he beat BJJ specialist Paul Craig.
Nickal hopes to silence his critics when he returns to the Octagon at UFC Des Moines on Saturday night.
Former ONE two-division champion Reinier de Ridder is tasked with trying to spoil Nickal’s perfect 7-0 record.