Just days after going viral with his win on UFC boss Dana White’s Contender Series, Penn State wrestling great Bo Nickal has his next fight set up.
Nickal, who, to many’s surprise and dismay, wasn’t awarded a UFC contract after submitting Zachary Borrego in 62 seconds, will be fighting on the contender series again Sept. 27.
The UFC announced this Saturday night, and Nickal re-announced it later via Twitter.
In an entertaining display of confidence, referred to the program as “Dana White and Bo Nickal’s Contender Series.”
I’m back September 27th on Dana White & Bo Nickal’s Contender Series
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) August 14, 2022
Although that is obviously not the official title, Nickal undoubtedly has been the talk of the contender series thus far. After Nickal’s win Tuesday, White said that, if Nickal wins his next fight, he will have his contract.
Standing in the way of Nickal and the dotted line will be Donovan Beard, who has a 7-1 professional MMA record.
Nickal’s legacy as an athletic great was already secure before venturing into MMA.
At Penn State, he won three national championships and was an All-American all four years. After his wrestling career ended, Nickal began to venture into MMA and won his first two amateur bouts.
He made his pro debut June 3. Fighting in Jorge Masvidal’s iKon Fighting Championship promotion, Nickal made a statement, knocking out John Noland in 32 seconds.
Nickal’s goal is to be a UFC champion, and a UFC contract appears inevitable. Nickal already has risen significantly in MMA, and many feel he is the future of the middleweight division.
Penn State football fans will also be happy to know that Sept. 27 falls on a Tuesday, so the fight will not coincide with a College Football Saturday night. The fight card will begin at 8 p.m. EST at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
