Tag: bo nickal

Bo Nickal stokes fan outcry over main card fight at UFC 300: ‘I like that it makes people mad’

Bo Nickal stokes fan outcry over main card fight at UFC 300 I like that it makes people madSet to make his return to the Octagon next month against Cody Brundage, unbeaten uber-prospect, Bo Nickal claims he’s…

Bo Nickal stokes fan outcry over main card fight at UFC 300 I like that it makes people mad

Set to make his return to the Octagon next month against Cody Brundage, unbeaten uber-prospect, Bo Nickal claims he’s happy to see fans’ unrest at his placement on the main card of a massive UFC 300 event – ahead of names including former champions, Charles Oliveira, Jiri Prochazka, Holly Holm, and Cody Garbrandt.

Nickal, a two-fight Octagon veteran having competed twice on Dana White’s Contender Series, most recently improved to 5-0 as a professional during International Fight Week back in July at UFC 290,  turning in a blistering first round knockout win over Val Woodburn.

Bo Nickal Stephen R. Sylvanie
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports

And taking on Brundage next month at UFC 300, Nickal has received mass criticizm for his placement on the monumental card – usurping a host of future Hall of Famers and ex-championship winners to land on the high-profile main card, which features three title bouts. 

Bo Nickal UFC 290 Cooper Neil Zuffa LLC
Mandatory Credit: Cooper Neil – Zuffa LLC

Reacting to fan outcry and speculation from pundits in the sport, Nickal claimed he was happy to see such reaction to his placement on UFC 300 – claiming more people want to see him compete on the flagship event.

Bo Nickal reacts to fan outrage over UFC 300 placement

“I like that it makes people mad,” Bo Nickal said on his YouTube channel. “I should go to their job and when they get a raise I should be like, ‘Boo, you don’t deserve it you bum.’”

“At the end of the day, the decision was made because I probably sell more,” More people wanna see me. They want to sell more pay-per-views so they put me on the pay-per-view. It doesn’t really affect me, I get paid the same.” 

Bo Nickal set for return at UFC 300 in fight against Cody Brundage Aljamain Sterling makes featherweight move
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

In his first outing under the banner of the Dana White-led organization, Nickal, a decorated amateur wrestler would land a first round triangle choke submission win over the recently retired, Jamie Pickett – with his bow coming on the undercard of UFC 285, which featured the massive comeback of heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.

Who wins at UFC 300 next month: Bo Nickal or Cody Brundage?

Bo Nickal lands surprising main card fight on UFC 300 ahead of Charles Oliveira, despite being unranked

Bo NickalThe hype train behind Bo Nickal is as real as it gets, as evidenced by the surprising placement of…

Bo Nickal

The hype train behind Bo Nickal is as real as it gets, as evidenced by the surprising placement of his fight on the main card of the historic UFC 300 event.

Nickal vs. Cody Brundage will be the only fight on the main card between two unranked fighters. Furthermore, they will be fighting higher up on the card than names like Jiri Prochazka, Aljamain Sterling, and even Kayla Harrison who was formerly the face of the PFL and makes her UFC debut at UFC 300.

Bo Nickal set for return at UFC 300 in fight against Cody Brundage Aljamain Sterling makes featherweight move
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

The event itself will be the third centennial event in the promotion’s history, taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 13. The night of fights will truly be special and might even go down as the greatest night of fights the UFC has ever provided.

Bo Nickal and Cody Brundage Land Surprisingly deep into UFC 300 card

The fight lineups can be found below, but keep in mind that the order of bouts can still change as fights drop off or are added to the card.

UFC 300 bout order
Mandatory Credit: Marcel Dorff

Main Card (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

Preliminary Card (ESPN, ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling
  • Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt
  • Diego Lopes vs. Sodiq Yusuff
  • Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller
  • Renato Moicano vs. Jalin Turner

It is also worth noting some of the storylines that Bo Nickal and Cody Brundage will supersede. Deiveson Figueiredo and Cody Garbrandt will be facing off in what could be considered a title-eliminator bout, and are only the fourth fight of the night.

Alex Pereira claims he's back in cryptic post on social media amid links to fight at UFC 300
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As mentioned earlier, Kayla Harrison will make her UFC debut against the legend Holly Holm, and the always-exciting former champion Jiri Prochazka will be taking on the dangerous Aleksandar Rakic. Not to mention that another former champion Aljamain Sterling will face a tough contender in Calvin Kattar.

What are your thoughts about the order of the fights on the UFC 300 card?

Bo Nickal scoffs at future UFC title shot for rival Khamzat Chimaev next: ‘He’s fought less 85ers than me’

Bo Nickal rules out title fight with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev he's fought less than meUFC middleweight Bo Nickal questions if Khamzat Chimaev deserves to be next in line for a shot at the…

Bo Nickal rules out title fight with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev he's fought less than me

UFC middleweight Bo Nickal questions if Khamzat Chimaev deserves to be next in line for a shot at the 185lb title.

Since bursting into the UFC,  Chimaev seemed destined for big things with many predicting that he would hold gold at some point in his career. However, things have not worked out exactly how many thought – the 29-year-old has suffered from inactivity, health issues and weight problems. 

With his win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, Chimaev moved that little bit closer to a title shot with rumours that he may even be next. 

Chimaev has even claimed that he was promised a title shot, but does a win over Usman, who was coming off two losses, moving up a weight class and took the fight on late notice really warrant a title shot? 

Bo NIckal knocks back Khamzat Chimaev

Bo Nickal does not seem to think so, claiming that the Chimaev’s resume at 185lbs is weak.

“I would guess that they will do Adasanya, but they’re going to give Khamzat a title shot at some point,” Nickal said on his YouTube channel. “I don’t think that he’s going to have to fight again until he gets a title shot.

“Do I think he deserves that? No. I don’t think he’s fought a single 85er. He’s fought less 85ers than me, and my guys aren’t even in the roster anymore.”

Nickal is regarded as one of the best prospects in the UFC and if he continues oin his current trajectory, a fight against Chimaev could be on the cards. The former NCAA wrestling national champion has even said he envisions a Chimaev matchup in the future, even stating that he was ‘dissapointed to not get the call to be the UFC 294 backup instead of Usman. 

“I was disappointed they didn’t ask me to step in there,” Nickal said on his YouTube channel. “I was expecting at least an ask like, ‘Hey, you want to to this?’ But, no. Just nothing. Nothing from the UFC. It is what it is.

“I’m guessing they didn’t want me to roll over into Abu Dhabi on 10 days’ notice and smash their boy in front of his home crowd or something. (H/T MMA Fighting)

Who wins, Bo Nickal or Khamzat Chimaev? 

UFC commentator Joe Rogan left dumbfounded as Bo Nickal is dubbed the ‘Tim Tebow of the UFC’

Bo Nickal and Tim TebowTim Tebow is a two-time BCS National Champion and the first underclassman in Florida Gators history to win the…

Bo Nickal and Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow is a two-time BCS National Champion and the first underclassman in Florida Gators history to win the Heisman Trophy. Unfortunately, that’s where much of Tebow’s success ended.

Drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos, Tebow’s NFL career started pretty hot with the college football phenom leading the Broncos to a 7–1 run in his first eight starts. He also led the franchise to its first division title and playoff victory in six years. However, Tebow quickly grew a reputation for struggling throughout a game only to lead his team to a dramatic come-from-behind victory.

Despite finding early success, Tebow was ultimately traded to the New York Jets, followed by the Patriots, Eagles, and Jaguars. Once cut during the preseason in Jacksonville, Tebow’s NFL career was effectively over.

As a result, being dubbed “the next Tim Tebow” in any sport comes with a negative connotation.

Brendan Schaub Compares Bo Nickal to Tim Tebow

During longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s UFC 297 fight companion on Saturday night, JRE regular Brendan Schaub made a confusing statement comparing Tim Tebow to highly-touted MMA prospect Bo Nickal that left Rogan at a complete loss for words.

“I think the UFC knows he’s gonna be champ,” Schaub, told a flabbergasted Rogan. “Let it clear up then we’re gonna release the hounds. He has it all. Check, check, check, check … checks all the boxes. He’s the Tim Tebow of f*cking UFC.”

Joe Rogan’s face at the end of the above clip says it all.

Schaub has previously claimed to be Tebow’s “very good friend,” insisting they “text and call each other all the time.” Clearly, the former UFC heavyweight isn’t familiar with his friend’s brief and unremarkable football career.

Thus far, Nickal is 5-0 in his mixed martial arts career, all of them coming by way of first-round finishes. He’s scheduled to make his third Octagon appearance at the promotion’s next big landmark event, UFC 300, on April 13. The three-time NCAA Division I National Champion will face his toughest test yet in Cody Brundage.

Bo Nickal talks up future battle with Khamzat Chimaev ahead of UFC 300: ‘That’s a fight that I win’

Bo Nickal talks up fight with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 300 that's a fight that I winSlated to make his third Octagon walk at UFC 300 in April, unbeaten wrestling ace, Bo Nickal remains supremely…

Bo Nickal talks up fight with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 300 that's a fight that I win

Slated to make his third Octagon walk at UFC 300 in April, unbeaten wrestling ace, Bo Nickal remains supremely confident of beating fellow unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev in a future pairing – which fans within the space believe is almost a certainty in the near future.

Nickal, a former two-time feature on Dana White’s Contender Series, continues his high-profile run in the promotion this year as he makes his return in search of a third consecutive victory, as he takes on Cody Brundage.

As for Chimaev, the unbeaten middleweight contender turned in the most high-profile and notable victory of his also brief Octagon tenure back in October of last year in the co-main event of UFC 294.

Drawing former undisputed welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman, Chechen-born contender, Chimaev landed a close, majority decision victory over the Auchi native, however, has been sidelined through hand surgery and a mysterious illness in the time since his triumph.

Bo Nickal claims he wins a future fight with Khamzat Chimaev

And playing up the possibility of a future pairing with the surging Chimaev, Nickal, who made short work of both Jamie Pickett and then Val Woodburn in March and July of last year, respectively, claims he would likely hand Chimaev a defeat if they share the Octagon in the future.

“He’s a tough guy, of course,” Bo Nickal told MMA Fighting of Khamzat Chimaev. “When you have a guy like Kamaru Usman, who is one of the all-time greats at his weight class, he was a champion, defended the belt multiple times, good wrestling base, and he [Chimaev] is able to take him down and control him like what he did in the first round, I think there’s a lot to be said for that.”

“But, at the same time, I believe in myself, and I think my skills match up very well against him,” Bo Nickal explained. “I feel like that’s a fight that I win.”

Who wins a potential future showdown: Khamzat Chimaev or Bo Nickal?

Bo Nickal using ChatGPT to Formulate ‘The Perfect Gameplan’ for his return to the Octagon at UFC 300

Bo NickalHighly touted UFC prospect Bo Nickal is utilizing A.I. to formulate a game plan for his highly anticipated return…

Bo Nickal

Highly touted UFC prospect Bo Nickal is utilizing A.I. to formulate a game plan for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.

After scoring decisive victories in his first two appearances with the promotion, the three-time NCAA Division I National Champion will face his toughest test yet when he meets South Carolina native Cody Brundage at UFC 300 on April 13.

Looking to get a leg up on the competition, Nickal revealed that he is using ChatGPT to help learn more about his opponent and come up with a plan of action for when the two men tussle inside the cage.

“I’ll go into ChatGPT, and you have to ask it the right questions,” Nickal told Joe Rogan during a recent episode of the UFC commentator’s popular podcast. “But I’ll say, ‘Hey, formulate a game plan for this type of fighter. I’m a wrestler at middleweight, this that, blah, blah, blah, and I’m going to fight this guy — give me the perfect gameplan for him.’ It’s not like ‘boom,’ easy, you kind of have to prod it a little bit, but it’ll get closer” (h/t MMA Mania).

The impact of ChatGPT on sports betting and fantasy sports is significant as it can help to predict the outcome of the game, generate insights and recommendations on player selection, analyze sports data and identify patterns and trends, and generate real-time analysis and commentary during live events.

It’s only a matter of time before the tool becomes reliable enough for athletes and teams to compile data on their opponents to estimate their best possible path to victory. Like something out of the hit film Moneyball, but with all of the human elements essentially eliminated from the equation.

“I would say, ‘Formulate a gameplan for a wrestler against a striker in an MMA fight under these rules,’ and then I would ask it more detailed questions from there,” Nickal continued. “It’s given me good information, so we’ll see where it can go. In five years, it’ll probably be able to download video of somebody and tell you every one of their weaknesses.”

Bo Nickal was recently announced at the UFC’s 2023 Rookie of the Year following back-to-back finishes on Dana White’s Contender Series followed by two impressive wins over Jamie Pickett and Val Woodburn. He’ll look to carry that momentum into 2024 as part of the promotion’s next big milestone event this spring.

Nickal was also named the LowKick MMA Prospect of the Year for 2023.