Former Penn State All-American wrestler and national champion Bo Nickal is set to continue his success beyond State College by transitioning to the world of mixed martial arts. On July 8, 2023, the promotion presents Nickal with a second opportunity to showcase his talents in the UFC 290 event taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his very first fight in the organization, Nickal won via first-round triangle choke and his record currently stands at 4-0, a figurative record that was challenged and upheld legally by the Nevada state athletic commission.
In his second UFC outing, Nickal will be up against Tresean Gore, the fan-favorite from the UFC’s flagship show, “The Ultimate Fighter.” By giving Nickal such an important card that will include a title fight and a renowned opponent, the UFC has demonstrated its trust in the former Penn State wrestler and its hope that he will eventually become an MMA world champion just like Phil Davis, a previous Penn State wrestling competitor who made it to the top in the sport.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a multi-purpose professional mixed martial arts and entertainment organization that has become one of the world’s most popular sports. The UFC promotes events on pay-per-view, television, digital, and home video platforms across more than 170 countries and is renowned as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
Bo Nickal is a two-time NCAA All-American for Penn State and a two-time NCAA Wrestling National Champion, a feat that is especially impressive considering Nickal’s weight class, the 197-pounds category. Nickal’s athleticism and skill set have flourished ever since he transitioned from collegiate wrestling to mixed martial arts, enabling him to dominate his opponents and stay undefeated at 4-0. Furthermore, Nickal owns his own gym and training facility, The Bo Nickal Performance Center, located in Pennsylvania.
