Bo Nickal

2022 - 9 - 28

Post cover — Image courtesy of "CBSSports.com"

Why UFC is being smart and patient in its handling of incredible ... (CBSSports.com)

On Tuesday night, Bo Nickal again proved that he may be the premier prospect in mixed martial arts when he scored another quick submission win on "Dana ...

It's understandable that a competitor and lifelong winner like Nickal, the 2019 Big Ten Athlete of the Year, is already discussing fights with the best fighters in the world. He's now a UFC fighter and will have every chance to prove the hype is justified. He scored a knockout in his pro debut and in his win on Tuesday night, a big left hook scored a knockdown that set up the eventual triangle choke. I'm one of the best wrestlers in the world. While fighters like Beard are not pushovers, Nickal is swimming with the sharks now. 9, Nickal left with an official UFC contract as the hype surrounding the three-time NCAA national champion in freestyle wrestling only continued to grow.

Bo Nickal earns UFC contract: Ex-Penn State wrestling national ... (247Sports)

Nickal was adamant about staying active, saying he wanted to return to the Octagon by December for his next fight. He is 3-0 as a professional fighter and ...

White brought back the former Penn State wrestling three-time national champion to the show after [Nickal earned a win in August, but not a contract.](https://247sports.com/Article/Bo-Nickal-dominates-in-Dana-White-Contender-Series-ex-Penn-State-national-champion-earns-second-fight-191207411/) But this time, Nickal earned another finish inside one minute and White gave the young MMA professional an official UFC contract. Nickal was adamant about staying active, saying he wanted to return to the Octagon by December for his next fight. But if that’s the case, then I’ll take him.”

Bo Nickal earns UFC contract with 52-second submission win over ... (ESPN)

Bo Nickal, arguably the hottest prospect in MMA, earned an exclusive contract to fight in the UFC with a 52-second submission victory over Donovan Beard in ...

Beard did manage to turn him over and get into top position, but Nickal seamlessly transitioned into a triangle choke for the finish. "I've been working on that the whole camp. He immediately followed Beard to the floor and moved into full mount. I was born for this and bred for this," Nickal said. "The only note on my paper is, 'god damn.' I mean, for a kid who has almost no experience, he took on a guy who's 6-foot-2, a 7-1 [record], 78-inch reach -- the confidence this kid had to roll into the triangle the way he did. "I literally write notes to remind me [of the fights]," White said after Nickal's performance.

Bo Nickal Is Ready To Shatter Viewership Records (The Official Website of the Ultimate Fighting Championship)

Bo Nickal Makes His Second Dana White's Contender Series Season 6 Appearance In Week 10's Main Event Against Donovan Beard Tonight At 8pm ET On ESPN+.

[Preview Every Fight](https://www.ufc.com/news/dana-whites-contender-series-preview-season-6-week-10) If I can predict it, I think it’ll be the biggest thing to that point, but hopefully other people can come in and do even bigger and better.” [Nickal Won't Shy Away From Wrestling](https://www.ufc.com/news/bo-nickal-wont-shy-away-from-wrestling-ufc-fight-pass) [Nickal Knows Where He's Headed](https://www.ufc.com/news/bo-nickal-i-know-where-im-headed-dana-whites-contender-series) It’s very obvious to the masses that even before he walked to the cage, Nickal was going to be an enormous name in the sport in one way or the other. “He had a great performance on Contender Series and now he’s one of the biggest draws in the UFC, so that was definitely an exciting kick off to his UFC career.

Former Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal lands UFC contract from Dana ... (247Sports)

Nickal's performance was so impressive that White, known for not mincing words, ripped himself for not rewarding the three-time NCAA wrestling champion with a ...

And he immediately called out UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev, who is 6-0 in the UFC and 12-0 overall. And the confidence that this kid has to roll into that triangle the way he did. Nickal was also rewarded with a spot in the EA Sports UFC 4 video game. He was awarded with a takedown after pouncing on Beard following the big left hand. After mounting Beard, Nickal flipped to his back and caught his opponent in the triangle — meaning his legs were wrapped around Beard’s neck. “He stepped up big time in competition tonight and put on a — I don’t even know what you call that.

Bo Nickal Waltzes Through Main Event, Earns UFC Contract (Onward State)

Following the middleweight bout, UFC owner Dana White presented Nickal with a contract with the mixed martial arts promotion. “Me and a lot of other people are ...

With his contract, Nickal is the third Nittany Lion ever to earn a spot in the UFC. If we can’t do it in the UFC, let’s do it in the WWE.” Nickal even held a copy of the game with him on the cover, as he was interviewed following the contract announcement. Smelling blood in the water, Nickal put his wrestling experience to use and initiated the ground game. “Welcome to the UFC, brother.” Despite his impressive performances, UFC owner Dana White opted not to offer Nickal a contract — instead, [promising a future contract](https://onwardstate.com/2022/08/13/bo-nickal-to-face-donovan-beard-in-dana-whites-contender-series-september-27/) if the Nittany Lion continued his streak of fight victories on the September 27 episode of the TV series.