I had the opportunity to sit down with rising MMA star Bo Nickal and uncover the story behind his journey to the UFC. Nickal, who is considered one of the most valuable prospects in the promotion, will close out his 2024 season with a matchup against Paul Craig at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
The 27-year-old American Top Team fighter has been nothing short of impressive, finishing five of his six professional MMA victories in the first round. But Nickal’s path to the UFC was not without its challenges, as he revealed a sense of frustration with UFC president Dana White during the process.
In an interview with fellow fighter Demetrious Johnson, Nickal recounted his very first MMA fight, which took place just over a year ago. “I was like, ‘Oh, that was crazy,’ and it got a bunch of views and a bunch of attention,” Nickal said. “And then everyone started calling—PFL, Bellator, ONE, UFC—and I was like, ‘Dang, like, what’s the… I’m… want to know, like, this is… I haven’t even been fighting for a year,’ you know?” said Nickal.
Despite the sudden interest from various promotions, Nickal chose to sign with the UFC and joined the Dana White Contender Series. The young prospect wasted no time in making an impression, as he won his very first fight on the show by choking out his opponent in just one minute.
However, this dominant performance did not immediately earn Nickal a UFC contract, as Dana White wanted to see more from the promising fighter. “So, this was my first fight on Contender Series. Nickal recollected, “I took the man down, choked him out in about a minute, and Dana was basically like, ‘You know, he’s only 2-0; I want to see some more.'” “At first, I was a little upset because I thought, ‘Ah, dang, I just finished this guy in a minute.'” What more could I have done?
Undeterred, Nickal returned to the Contender Series and once again showed his dominance, forcing Dana White to finally offer him the coveted UFC contract. Since then, the American wrestler-turned-MMA fighter has proven his strength, extending his undefeated record to 6-0 with a submission victory over Cody Brundage at UFC 300.
Despite the initial frustration, Nickal’s perseverance and skill have undoubtedly paid off, as he now finds himself on the cusp of superstardom within the UFC. The young prospect’s meteoric rise has not gone unnoticed, and fight fans are eagerly anticipating his next appearance in the octagon.
As Nickal prepares to take on Scotland’s Paul Craig at UFC 309 in New York City, the spotlight will undoubtedly be shining brightly on this rising star. With his combination of wrestling prowess, devastating striking, and submissions, Nickal has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting new talents in the UFC.
The journey to this point has not been without its challenges, but Bo Nickal has proven time and time again that he has the grit and determination to overcome any obstacle in his path. As he continues to climb the ranks of the UFC, fans can expect to see this “little mad” prospect make a major impact on the sport.