"He has to fight regularly for that to happen" - Fans react as Bo Nickal lays out blueprint to a title shot, ahead of UFC 309
Bo Nickal last entered the octagon in April when he defeated Cody Brundage via second-round submission on the main card of UFC 300. The rising middleweight prospect is set to make his return this weekend when he faces Paul Craig at UFC 309. He recently revealed the path he plans to take to fight for the undisputed middleweight title.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on his self-titled show, the former NCAA national wrestling champion claimed:
"I feel like the rocket has been strapped to me since after my first pro fight two and a half years ago. So, I feel like the rocket has been strapped to me for a while, but if you look at anybody else's career, they're fighting over a decade before they're in that position and I think I'll be in there probably around - I'm basically there."
Nickal continued:
"If I win one or two more fights then I'm fighting a ranked guy then I'm fighting a top-five then I'm fighting for the belt. If I have six fights right now, I'm already passed the halfway point if that's the trajectory."
Check out Bo Nickal's comments on fighting for a UFC title below:
Fans shared their reaction to Nickal's comments, with @dcfcj_ claiming that he needs to be more active:
"He has to fight regularly for that to happen"
@AlphaJeffrey45 suggested that he won't fight for a title until 2028:
"He’s going to be fighting for a title in 2028 at that rate"
@Non_Standard114 believes that Nickal is receiving too much hate:
"Tbh I don’t get the amount of hate Bo Nickal gets. If he rose too fast people would complain he was fast tracked. He takes it slow and tries to earns his rise and he’s boring. Could be more active but still."
@ls_naka called out the notion that a ranked win would earn Nickal a top-five opponent:
"It’s absurd to have a 14th-ranked fighter facing a top 5 opponent. Rankings lose their value if fighters can just skip the line like that. You should fight the 14th the 8th and after that maybe you can fight a top 5."
Check out the best fan reactions below:
Bo Nickal previously shared prediction for potential Khamzat Chimaev clash
Bo Nickal has not been shy about his desire to face Khamzat Chimaev despite fighters typically shying away from the matchup. He previously revealed how he believes a bout between the two would play out.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, the middleweight prospect claimed it would be an easy bout for him, stating:
"I think I'd do very similarly to him what I did to this last guy. Take him down, ragdoll him, throw him around. He's not a big 85er, he gets tired. Is his first round going to be a little better, more competitive? Probably, but if that fight is five rounds, I don't think he makes it five rounds."
Check out Bo Nickal's comments on facing Khamzat Chimaev below:
Nickal noted that the bout will likely be tough in the beginning due to Chimaev's pressure. He added that the No. 3-ranked middleweight would not be able to hurt him or inflict damage.