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NCAA Champion Wrestler Bo Nickal Is Making His Pro MMA Debut

Bo Nickal

(Hunter Martin/ Getty Images)

Bo Nickal
(Hunter Martin/ Getty Images)

NCAA Champion Wrestler Bo Nickal Is Making His Pro MMA Debut

Bo Nickal is one of the best college wrestlers of his generation. Now, the Penn State superstar is transitioning to MMA and will be making his professional debut on Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC on Saturday, June 3.

Nickal will not be the first wrestler that transitions to MMA. There are many big names fighters that fought in the UFC that came from wrestling backgrounds. This includes Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Yoel Romero, Ben Askren, and many more. Nickal’s wrestling credentials are right up there those legends.

Nickal won three NCAA National Championships. These came in 2017-2019. Two were at 184 pounds while the other was at 197 pounds. The only year that did not end in a national championship was Nickal’s freshman year where he was upset in the NCAA Finals at 174 pounds. This work culminated in a 120-3 record during his four seasons at Penn State. In comparison to other great wrestlers in MMA, Colby Covington lost seven matches in his junior season at Oregon State. He also won the Dan Hodge Trophy in 2019 which is awarded to the most outstanding college wrestler. In this historic season, Nickal went 30-0 with 18 pins.

Nickal is making this transition to MMA after he failed to make the United States Olympic Team. Nickal competed in the US Olympic Team Trials at 86 Kg. However, he was unable to beat David Taylor in the finals. No shame in that as Taylor eventually went on to win the gold at the 2020 Summer Games and is currently on a 54-match win streak.

After this loss, Nickal committed to transitioning into MMA. He began work with American Top Team, one of the best gyms in the world, and helped Jorge Masvidal prepare for his fight with Colby Covington. As if that wasn’t enough, Nickal even founded an ATT affiliate gym in Happy Valley.

Everyone knows that the days of wrestlers entering MMA and immediately becoming the best in the world are over. Bo Nickal knows that and the coaches at ATT know that. During Nickal’s transition to MMA, he will have to develop adequate standup and secure his grappling with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At 26-years-old Nickal can certainly do that.

We will have the opportunity to see just how far Nickal has come in those categories in his pro debut. His opponent will be John Noland. Noland is a good entry into professional MMA. Even though Noland is also making his pro debut, he has an amateur record of 6-3. This will be a decent gauge of Nickal’s current abilities before throwing him in with higher-quality competition. This fight will be taking place on iKON FC 3 which is Jorge Masvidal’s promotion. As previously mentioned Nickal has helped Masvidal and the two have a good relationship. This is important as Nickal will be able to fight in iKON FC while he grows his skill set.

Nickal will not be going into his professional debut blind. He has two fights on the amateur scene. In these two fights, Nickal left with two first-round finishes. The first via guillotine choke and the other by KO. See the KO below.

Nickal certainly has not fought the toughest competition which is understandable as these are amateur fights. Regardless, he has shown power and the willingness to let his hands go. Both are good signs early.

Nickal is still a while away from joining the UFC or any other major promotion. Although, that is good. He will have plenty of time to round out his game and he will enter the UFC when ready. Making his pro debut at 26 puts Nickal in a good sport to pursue UFC gold. This is an earlier start than both Cejudo and Cormier had. Only time will tell if Nickal can become another wrestler that prospers in MMA but there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

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