
Top of the Class 2022: Bo Nickal is dollar signs for any major MMA promotion
The minute Bo Nickal announced his transition to MMA, his intentions were well known. Every single middleweight on the planet was not safe, and it didn’t matter what organization they were in – he was coming for all of them.
Nickal is one of the best collegiate wrestlers to ever step into the world of MMA. He is a 3x NCAA wrestling champ and the 2019 Hodge Trophy winner, which is equivalent to college football’s Heisman Trophy. Today, Bo has become one of, if not the, hottest prospect in MMA.
If it wasn’t already obvious, Bo’s stock is currently at an all-time high. Soon enough, there will be denying him. Only time will tell how his career will unfold, but one thing is for sure, his UFC career is only a fight away…
Why was Bo Nickal selected for our Top of the Class?
Our selection of Bo Nickal may seem like a stretch to some. But if you take into account his time at Penn State, then the choice makes so much sense. There is currently no man or woman in the UFC right now with his collegiate accolades. But even though that statement is true, Nickal knows he won’t be the last wrestler to do so successfully. Collegiate wrestlers in MMA are only getting started…
The 26-year-old began his MMA journey in 2021. Since then, he has been on a fast track. Bo went 2-0 as an amateur and quickly turned pro, fighting under Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC. He went on to finish John Noland in just 33 seconds of the first round. A couple months later, he got the invitation to fight in front of Dana White for Contender Series. In the main event, he ended up finishing the undefeated Zack Borrego in the first round.
It’s crazy to think that Bo’s only two professional bouts haven’t lasted a full round. Even more unreal, he has barely used his wrestling to secure a victory. After his Contender Series fight, Dana White compared Nickal’s MMA transition to Brock Lesnar’s, who went on to become a UFC champion. Though he didn’t get the contract that night, he was invited back to headline the final DWCS card of 2022. He will take on his biggest competition to date, when he meets Donovan Beard on Sept. 27th.
Wherever Bo Nickal ends up next, dollar signs will surely follow. He is without a doubt the next big thing at middleweight, and he has the chance to put his name amongst the most successful collegiate wrestlers to enter the hurt business…
Congratulations to Bo Nickal on being selected for our 2022 Top of the Class List!
About Post Author
Joey Torres
About Post Author
Joey Torres
Joey Torres is a Co-Founder of The Scrap, and a dedicated storyteller with a passion for Pro Wrestling and Combat Sports. With a Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business & Technology from the University of Southern California, Joey combines creativity and branding to bring compelling stories to life while bringing refreshingly original content to the world of sports media.
Related Posts:
Additional Content
Michael Chandler vs. Patricio Pitbull: Bellator’s Most Heated Rivalry
The rivalry between Michael Chandler and Patricio "Pitbull" Freire stands as one of the most intense and personal feuds in...
Paddy Pimblett’s Greatest Moments in the Cage
Paddy Pimblett has steadily climbed the ranks of the lightweight division since signing to the UFC back in 2021. At...
Which MMA Fighters Could Thrive in WWE?
Crossover between MMA and professional wrestling is nothing new. But, only a select few fighters have the charisma, presence, and...
5 Burning Questions for UFC 314
UFC 314 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal cards of the year, headlined by a high-stakes...
UFC 314: Main Card Predictions
UFC returns to the Kaseya Center in Miami for the fourth time with UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes. After the...
Why It’s Time to Pay Attention to Lerone Murphy
UFC featherweight greats like Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski, and Ilia Topuria are celebrated fighters. They've reached...
Average Rating