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Report – Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett rebooked for UFC 285

Bo Nickal is finally set to make his highly anticipated UFC debut, when he faces off against Jamie Pickett at UFC 285. The highly touted prospect picked up two first-round finishes on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, submitting both Zack Borrego and Donovan Beard. Nickal was initially scheduled to take on Pickett at UFC […]

Bo Nickal is finally set to make his highly anticipated UFC debut, when he faces off against Jamie Pickett at UFC 285.

The highly touted prospect picked up two first-round finishes on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, submitting both Zack Borrego and Donovan Beard. Nickal was initially scheduled to take on Pickett at UFC 282: B?achowicz vs. Ankalaev in December. However, the bout would be scrapped after Nickal sustained an injury in his training camp.

Now rebooked, Bo Nickal will seek to pick up a dominant win over ‘The Night Wolf’ to kickstart his career in the UFC. This fight booking would be announced by renowned MMA journalist Nolan King.

Jamie Pickett currently holds an MMA record of 13-8, with a 2-4 record in the UFC. ‘The Night Wolf’ is currently coming off back-to-back losses, having been KO’d by Denis Tiuliulin at UFC 279 and submitted by Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill.

Pickett does have respectable decision wins over Joseph Holmes and Laureano Staropoli on his record, having also KO’d Jhonoven Pati on the Contender Series. However, this is clearly a fight designed to serve as an entry point for Bo Nickal’s UFC career, and Pickett will no doubt open as a heavy underdog.

The two men clash at UFC 285, a PPV event set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card does not yet have a main event fight, although the following matchups have already been booked:

Jessica Penne vs. Tabatha Ricci
Farid Basharat vs. Da’Mon Blackshear
Amanda Ribas vs. Viviane Araújo
Cody Garbrandt vs. Julio Arce
Julian Marquez vs. Marc-André Barriault
Mario Bautista vs. Guido Cannetti
Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis
Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

How do you think Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett will play out?

José Johnson looks to be a force in the bantamweight division: “They haven’t seen the striking mixed with the power I possess at 135.”

José Johnson (15-7) is poised to make a statement as the newest Bantamweight on the UFC roster. After a challenging yet successful stint in the regional scene, Johnson competed on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020 in which he was defeated by Ronnie Lawrence via Unanimous Decision. After winning 3 out of his 4 next […]

After winning 3 out of his 4 next fights, Johnson landed another appearance this past August on DWCS to face the undefeated Jack Cartwright. In his second fight in front of Dana White, Johnson was dominant and earned a UFC contract following the victory.

UFC newcomer José Johnson recently took the time to sit down with Alex Lerman of LowKick MMA to reflect on his journey to the UFC, describe his skills and abilities, and offer up some potential opponents and venues for his debut.

Johnson took a minute to talk about what it means to officially be on the UFC roster:

“Everyone’s sending me messages on Instagram and Facebook about how motivational my story has been for them… At the end of the day, I like to fight, but I also like to teach. So, if I was given the opportunity to inspire people, that’s part of being a teacher. It’s a good feeling.”

Additionally, Johnson described his personal journey, to get to where he is today. Using some sobering words, Johnson stated:

“A lot of people say that martial arts changed their lives. No, martial arts saved my life. I was going down a really bad path hanging around some really bad people… For me, it was either I’d be in prison for the rest of my life or I’m dead. A buddy of mine was like hey they got sparring at this one gym, and I was like ‘I’m not going to sparring they can see me in the streets’. Being 17, my pride was up here, ‘somebody was gonna whoop my ass? No sir, I’m going’. Needless to say, I got my ass whooped and I really enjoyed it… and here we are now.”

José Johnson On Improvements as a Fighter

As previously mentioned, Johnson suffered a defeat in his first DWCS bout, but is now 4-1 since. Currently on a three-fight win streak, Johnson reflected on the improvements he’s made since tha loss in 2020:

“I had to improve as a person first. Nothing happens overnight, so little by little I start changing certain things in my life, certain people, certain habits. I became a totally different person. It’s really helped me become a better fighter changing myself as a person.”

Johnson enters an absolutely stacked Bantamweight division. There are dangerous fighters up and down the rankings, but Jose sees himself as different from these other competitors. Confidently, Johnson describes why no bantamweight should want to see him across from them in the octagon:

“They’ve seen good striking. But they haven’t seen the striking mixed with the power that I possess at 135. I finish 80% of my fights be knockout… Typically, if you let me get any type of combination off, I’m putting you to sleep… I think the power difference, the size difference, I’m only getting bigger.”

Continuing on with this topic, Johnson sounded off on Sean O’Malley expressing a strong desire to have a meeting with him in the future:

“Sean O’Malley, this clown, he swears he’s the biggest 135’er in the division and he’s not. He’s 5’11 I’m 6’0. I can’t wait to see him… You’re not the biggest 135’er in the division, I’m gonna show you that, and you don’t possess the same level of knockout power either. You’re kind of like a pop shop fighter.”

Johnson on Potential Debut Opponents

It was recently announced that Jose Johnson will be fighting against Garrett Armfield on February 25^th at the UFC Apex for his debut fight. At the time of this interview, the news wasn’t official yet, and Johnson named a few matchups that he would be keen to:

“I like the Miles Johns matchup, I like the Fernie Garcia matchup. I really don’t study my division like that… I study style people. It’s just a fight so I don’t give a sh*t who I fight against.”

On which venues he would like to compete at Johnson goes on:

“Dream wise, two places. Madison Square Garden one, and two, Abu Dhabi. I’m tryna go ride a camel.”

Jose Johnson looks to get his debut victory in the UFC on February 25^th vs. Garrett Armfield at the UFC Apex. Watch the full interview below for Johnson’s analysis of the upcoming Sandhagen vs. Vera fight, and a lot more interesting insight from the newest Bantamweight in the UFC.

Full interview:

Bo Nickal lands UFC contract with quick triangle win, immediately calls out Khamzat Chimaev

Undefeated grappling talent, Bo Nickal has finally landed his UFC contract following a prior success on Dana White’s Contender Series back in August, returning at the season’s finale last night with a stunning 52-second triangle submission win over Donovan Beard. Improving to 3-0 last night with his stunning opening minute submission win over Beard, Nickal, […]

Undefeated grappling talent, Bo Nickal has finally landed his UFC contract following a prior success on Dana White’s Contender Series back in August, returning at the season’s finale last night with a stunning 52-second triangle submission win over Donovan Beard.

Improving to 3-0 last night with his stunning opening minute submission win over Beard, Nickal, a massive middleweight division prospect, finally inked his deal with the organization after some speculation, given the fact the former had been overlooked despite his win back in August against Zachary Borrego.

Bo Nickal sets sights on a fight with Khamzat Chimaev in his UFC bow

Nickal, 26, a native of Colorado, immediately then called out the undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev for his promotional debut – poking fun at the AllStars MMA staple’s prior seven and a half pound weight miss earlier this month at UFC 279.

“If the UFC wishes, give me that Swedish dude (Khamzat Chimaev),” Bo Nickal told commentator, Laura Sanko, following Dana White’s Contender Series. “He might not even be the best guy, because he can’t even make weight, but if that’s the case, I’ll take him.”

“If not, then give me Logan Paul,” Bo Nickal continued. “UFC debut. Me vs. Logan Paul, I know he has some skills. If we can’t do it in the UFC, let’s do it in the WWE. I’ll meet you in the ring

The American Top Team staple, who has previously featured prominently in the camp of former two-time welterweight title challenger, Jorge Masvidal to help with wrestling preparation for his teammate, was also officially added to the EA Sports UFC 4 video game, after UFC president, Dana White ran a poll on his officially Twitter ahead of last night’s show finale.

Following Nickal’s comments on Chimaev, the latter’s training partner, one-time welterweight title chaser, Darren Till issued a warning to the emerging prospect, welcoming a future fight with him.

“Bo Nickal is looking good, be good to meet up with him in the future in the Octagon,” Darren Till tweeted. “Drive the left hand through his skull… (ninja emoji).”

Dana White opens up on why he helped Joe Pyfer: ‘He was about to be homeless’

Dana White gave his take on why he chose to help out Joe Pyfer. Pyfer took on Alen Amedovski this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 210. He extended his run to a three-fight win streak when he scored a TKO win over Amedovski in the very first round. He made his way into the […]

Dana White gave his take on why he chose to help out Joe Pyfer.

Pyfer took on Alen Amedovski this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 210. He extended his run to a three-fight win streak when he scored a TKO win over Amedovski in the very first round. He made his way into the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series 47, where he was the sole fighter to get signed by the promotion earlier this summer.

Dana White opens up on why he helped Joe Pyfer

The company president explained his reasons at the DWCS 55 post-fight press conference.

“I do a lot of things for a lot of people that I don’t necessarily talk about,” White said (ht MMA Junkie). “Joe Pyfer, when I left the press conference that night, he told me he was about to be homeless. So, that ain’t gonna happen.”

White reportedly helped Pyfer out with a year’s worth of rent

After joining, Pyfer informed White that he did not have a place to live as he was flat broke. White reportedly helped him out with enough money to cover a year’s worth of rent. Pyfer shared the details after his win over Amedovski.

“I told (Shelby) I need to talk to him, because I need to thank him, because he gave me a home for a year,” Pyfer said. “He gave me money on the side of Contender. And, really, that secured me being able to have a place to live for the next year, on the house of Dana. I think the guy gets sh*t on a lot for not being a good dude or, you know, whatever bullsh*t that people say sometimes. I don’t know any of the other stories, but as far as how he’s treated me, he’s treated me gracefully.

“He’s my boss, and I want to like him, I want to respect him, and I have all the respect in the world for him. So, to me, it means something to go shake my boss’ hand after I go to work for him.”

Bo Nickal shrugs off criticism from fellow fighters: ‘You’ve never done what I’ve done’

Bo Nickal is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing prospects that we have seen in MMA. The three time NCCA division I freestyle wrestling champion made his MMA debut in June of last year and was quickly snapped up by The Dana White Contender Series. Nickal would win his first appearance on DWCS by a […]

Nickal would win his first appearance on DWCS by a first round finish but did not earn himself a UFC contract, instead being invited back on the show to which Nickal agreed and is set to appear on Tuesday 29, September.

Bo Nickal discusses future

Joining the DC&RC show, Nickal would discuss his upcoming bout and what the future holds, with Daniel Cormier first asking about Nickal’s opponent, Donovan Beard, saying that Nickal is underestimating him.

“These guys are pretty hilarious to be thinking that way,” Nickal said. “In my opinion I just feel that’s not gonna happen, at the end of the day this dudes never felt someone like me I’m gonna get in there and have my way with him, finish him quickly, easy.”

Nickal would also jokingly add that he is saving his slams for when he earns his contract.

“I’m saving it for the big show,” Nickal said. “Maybe my UFC debut, on a main card, PPV card maybe ill pick somebody up drop on there head, something like that.”

With having such a big opputrunity at such an early stage in his career, Nickal has draw many critics from fellow fights, but Nickal said he isn’t bothered and in fact deserves to be where he is.

“Bring it, I’m ready to go,” Nickal said. “A lot of dude likes to talk and say crazy stuff how ‘I’m only 2-0, I don’t have experience, I’ve never been in there’. You’ve never done what I’ve done, you’re not a three-time national champion, you didn’t compete for the greatest collegiate programme in college wrestling history. You didn’t train since you were five years old, I grew up doing this, this is what I live for.

“I train everyday, I put the work in and for them to be coming at me saying I don’t know what it feels like is outlandish. I competed in a sold-out Maddison Square Garden at 18 years old, who else is doing that? At the end of the day it’s a little crazy for guys to talk that way but the result will prove themselves.”

Bo Nickal on DC&RC

How do you think Bo Nickal will do in the UFC?

Chael Sonnen previews the 17-year-old fighter’s inclusion in DWCS with a legal question

Chael Sonnen gave his take on Raul Rosas Jr. competing in the UFC at just 17 years old. Former UFC middleweight title challenger Sonnen has long moved on from his days of competing inside the octagon but remains a key figure in the sport through his media and promotion work. Chael Sonnen detailed the inclusion […]

Chael Sonnen gave his take on Raul Rosas Jr. competing in the UFC at just 17 years old.

Former UFC middleweight title challenger Sonnen has long moved on from his days of competing inside the octagon but remains a key figure in the sport through his media and promotion work.

Chael Sonnen detailed the inclusion of 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. in DWCS

In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube account, Sonnen shared his thoughts on the participation of Rosas Jr. in “Dana White‘s Contender Series” this coming week.

“A kid is coming on the Contender Series. He’s had five fights, all took place in Mexico. He’s gonna come out to the Apex, jurisdiction of Las Vegas, compete; youngest kid ever,” Sonnen said. “I would tell you guys… you fight anyone, anytime, anywhere, or you’re a bully and you don’t belong here.

“There would be an exception to that I never once considered, which is a child. You do not have to go beat up a child. I would tell you that, but I never have because I’ve never been confronted with it. I’m just wondering what you think?” Sonnen added. (ht MMA News)

Sonnen believes his inclusion raises a legal question

Sonnen theorized that his inclusion could leave the organization vulnerable from a legal standpoint.

“A lot of people will be prudes… There’s a number of states that have athletic commissions that will not allow it,” Sonnen noted. “The law recognizes adult, they recognize minor, and they separate that by 18 years old… So if you’ve been doing it at 17, even 17-and-a-half… Why can’t you do it at seven? From a legal perspective, what difference would it make?

“Before you think, ‘I don’t wanna see children in there,’ I don’t know that I totally disagree with you. It does strike me as weird, too. I haven’t formed an opinion… Within those states where they will not allow minors to compete and wouldn’t allow a minor to take on an adult, they have cities and those cities have gyms. Any age can go in and train and spar.”