Bo Dean Nickal, born January 14, 1996, is a highly skilled American MMA fighter boasting an impressive undefeated record of 5 wins in 5 fights (5-0-0). He is currently one of the brightest prospects in the middleweight division of the UFC. Nickal possesses a diverse background in both freestyle and folkstyle wrestling disciplines, competing in the UFC middleweight division (185 lbs) since his debut at UFC 285, where he quickly gained attention for his mastery over grappling and wrestling.
Nickal's prowess in wrestling was evident early on as he excelled in the U23 age group, clinching victories at the 2019 U23 World Championship and the US Open national title. He came close to securing a spot on the Olympic team, reaching the finals at the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials, and showcasing his skills at the 2019 Final X event.
During his collegiate years at Penn State, Nickal had a successful wrestling career, clinching three NCAA Division I national championships and being a finalist once. His exceptional performance earned him prestigious accolades such as the Dan Hodge Trophy for top collegiate wrestler, two Schalles Awards for best pinner, and the Big Ten Athlete of the Year in 2019. Currently, Nickal is preparing for a highly anticipated bout against Cody Brundage, slated as the main event of UFC 300 on April 13, 2024.
Bo Nickal College Record
Bo Nickal graduated from Penn State with an almost unblemished record of 120 wins and 3 losses (120-3). In NCAA tournaments, Nickal's impressive record stands at 19 wins and 1 loss, culminating in a second-place finish at 184 pounds in 2016. His remarkable achievement of securing three consecutive NCAA titles from 2017 to 2019 firmly establishes him as one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the Nittany Lions wrestling program.
Also Read: Why did Bo Nickal not go to the Olympics?
Who did Bo Nickal lose to in the finals?
Bo Nickal lost against David Taylor in the best-of-three finals at the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials in early April 2021. Despite defeating formidable opponents like Carter Starocci, Pat Downey, and Zahid Valencia in the challenge tournament, Nickal was unable to secure a spot in the US Olympic Team.
Taylor, a fellow Penn State legend and 2018 World Champion, defeated Nickal twice with scores of 0-4 and 0-6, ending Nickal's hopes of breaking Taylor's 45-match win streak. Taylor then went on to win the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
Last Updated On April 10, 2024
FAQs
A. Bo Nickal holds a college wrestling record of 120 wins and 3 losses (120-3-0).
A. Bo Nickal holds an MMA record of 5 wins in 5 fights (5-0-0).
A. Nickal lost against fellow Penn State wrestler, David Taylor in the finals of the Olympic Team Trials in 2021.
A. Bo Nickal stands at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m).
A. As of April 2024, Bo Nickal is 28 years old.
