Bo Nickal predicts title fight with Khamzat Chimaev

Bo Nickal had a distinguished collegiate wrestling career, winning the NCAA Division I championship three times and earning the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy. His dominance in collegiate wrestling has seamlessly transitioned into MMA, where he has won all his fights via finish.

Alongside Khamzat Chimaev, Nickal is regarded as one of the top wrestlers in the UFC’s middleweight division. Nickal has already revealed his plans, which include a potential fight with the undefeated Chechen-born fighter.

Bo Nickal wants Khamzat Chimaev bout

Michael Bisping recently interviewed Bo Nickal on his ‘Believe You Me Podcast’ on YouTube where Nickal spoke in depth about his aspirations as a UFC fighter. Nickal praised Chimaev and even alluded to a high-profile potential matchup between them.

“[Khamzat’s] a bad matchup for all those guys [in the top 5]” said Nickal, who went on to state that Chimaev would become the champion in the division. Moreover, he expressed his interest in fighting Chimaev after he became the champion.

“[Khamzat] is this guy that has this crazy reputation who I absolutely have to take out before my career is over,” Nickal further added, hinting a potential title fight between Chimaev and himself with the venue being the Allegiant Stadium, the home field of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Chimaev has not fought since he defeated Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 via majority decision. Dana White touted the fight as a number one contender fight but Chimaev did not fight for the title next. Nickal had earlier claimed that he was a better wrestler than Chimaev after his fight at UFC 290.

Bo Nickal to face Cody Brundage at UFC 300

After two first-round finishes at UFC 285 and UFC 290 against Jamie Pickett and Valentine Woodburn respectively, Nickal will be fighting in the main card of UFC 300 against Cody Brundage, who is coming off a slam knockout at UFC Austin.

Nickal is the biggest betting favorite on the card and is expected to run through Brundage, who is on a two-fight winning streak after a three-fight losing streak. Nickal was also a more than a -1000 favorite in his previous fight against Woodburn, who replaced Tresean Gore on short-notice at UFC 290.

Nickal made his MMA debut with Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC and won via a 33-second knockout. The performance got him an opportunity on the Contender Series where he had to fight twice, winning both via first-round submission.

UFC 300, the coveted PPV, headlined by Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill, has stacked fights top to bottom and Nickal vs Brundage on the main card was considered a surprise by many as per MMA Fighting. For context, former champions like Holly Holm, Aljamain Sterling, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Jiri Prochazka among others are in the prelims and early prelims.

Who do you think will win a potential fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Bo Nickal? Leave your thoughts below!