Bo Nickal

Nickal (4-0), a three-time Division I national champion wrestler at Penn State, needed just under three minutes to produce a tap in his first UFC bout, ...

"I've been doing MMA for a year and a half and I'm in the main card on a UFC pay-per-view. Nickal slipped in the opening seconds after missing a wild high kick attempt, but he met Pickett (13-9) in the clinch and proceeded to take him down with a front headlock. An injury last fall postponed Nickal's December promotional debut, just months after scoring a pair of victories on the Dana White Contender Series to secure a UFC contract.

Penn State wrestling legend Bo Nickal continued his streak of dominance in the mixed martial arts sphere, winning his debut UFC fight Saturday night.

Nickal finished the fight having only taken a lone blow to the body. As a result, Nickal was a -2200 betting favorite, according to [FanDuel](https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/mma/ufc-matches/bo-nickal-v-jamie-pickett-32130436). Nickal first attempted a rear naked choke before pivoting to an arm triangle choke. Despite Pickett’s dire situation, he refused to tap –– even as Nickal continued tightening his hold. “I don’t see it going past the first round.” The middleweight bout opened UFC 285’s pay-per-view card.

The three-time NCAA Division 1 wrestling champion had all eyes on him heading into his fight as the biggest favorite on the entire card and Nickal proved he ...

Nickal’s grip was so tight that he just locked up the arm-triangle choke and Pickett was finally forced to tap out. It took less than 30 seconds for Nickal to close the distance, snatch a leg and look to take the fight down to the canvas. He only needed a single takedown to effectively suffocate

Unbeaten prospect and college wrestling champion Nickal kept his flawless record intact at UFC 285 as he tapped out Jamie Pickett just minutes into the ...

If it gets to the point where they offer me a title shot and I'm not at the point where I want to be, then I'm going to have a serious talk with my manager and those around me." Pickett quickly found himself in a vulnerable position on the ground as Nickal was searching for a submission. Nickal got straight back to his feet and shot for a takedown as Pickett charged towards him, with the college wrestling champion taking the UFC veteran to the ground but seemingly landing an accidental groind strike whilst doing so.

Watch UFC 285 full fight video highlights: Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 4, 2023) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside T-Mobile Arena in ...

The middleweight sensation is a scary matchup for just about anybody at 185 pounds right now, but UFC will likely take its time with Nickal as he gains more pro experience. Pickett defended well for the first 10 seconds or so before Nickal secured his first official UFC takedown (although there did seem to be an apparent low blow by Nickal before the attempt). From there, Nickal worked hard for an arm-triangle choke and started to squeeze the life out of Pickett, who impressively defended for a while.

The former Penn State wrestler defeated Jamie Pickett by first-round submission to begin the UFC 285 card on Saturday in Las Vegas. It seemed like just the ...

Check out the full video highlights from Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett at UFC 285.

He takes the back and looks for a choke. [full bio](https://www.bloodyelbow.com/authors/kristen-king)) 1 pound-for-pound fighter when his career is all said and done. He lands some short knees and works a front headlock. [ subscribing to #TheNewBloodyElbow](https://bloodyelbow.substack.com). That was an excellent win for the Contender Series star, who improved to 4-0 as a professional.

The former Penn State wrestler defeated Jamie Pickett by first-round submission to begin the UFC 285 card on Saturday in Las Vegas. It seemed like just the ...

The former Penn State champion had an impressive debut at UFC 285. Even Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons was talking about it.

“I’ve been doing MMA for a year and a half,” Nickal said postfight. “His wrestling background is insane.” “I”m just going to keep getting better and keep dominating, and you can bet your ass I’m going to get that belt. “I’m going to be he pound-for-pound number-one fighter when I’m done.” “Bo is just too impressive!!” Parsons wrote. Here’s how he did in NFL DPOY race](https://www.pennlive.com/pennstate/2023/02/micah-parsons-son-malcom-shine-at-nfl-honors-show-heres-how-he-did-in-nfl-dpoy-race.html)

Bo Nickal didn't disappoint. The 27-year-old kept his unbeaten record in tact, securing an impressive submission victory over Jamie Pickett.

“I feel at home,” Nickal said afterwards. I train every day so I can come out here and dominate and that’s what I did. In less than two minutes of the very first round, he effortlessly dismantled Pickett and put the rest of the middleweight division on notice.

Follow the UFC 285 live blog for Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett, the middleweight main card opener on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Pickett fell short in his first Contender Series bout, but rebounded his second time around and was then signed to the UFC, where he has gone 2-4, most recently getting stopped by A three-time NCAA Division I National Champion and four-time finalist, Nickal is one of the greatest collegiate wrestlers of all-time, and after a short run on the senior circuit, has now made the move to MMA full-time. One of the most decorated wrestlers to ever join the UFC, 27-year-old Bo Nickal is quite possibly the greatest prospect in MMA history.

LAS VEGAS — Three of the UFC's hottest prospects won their respective fights at the UFC 285 event that took place Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las ...

[March 5, 2023] "If I hit him low, I'd relax, and let the ref stop it." If I hit him low, I'd feel bad.

Bo Nickal's UFC debut against Jamie Pickett was a lightning-quick affair. The UFC 285 main card opener was wrapped up in the first round itself by Nickal as ...

I've been doing MMA for only a year and a half and I'm in the main card of a UFC pay-per-view. I'm going to keep getting better, dominate, and you bet your a*s I'm getting that belt and I will be pound-for-pound No.1 fighter by the time my career is done." USA Today's Nolan King reported that Pickett's manager LaMont Chappell will be appealing the result of the fight on behalf of Jamie Pickett with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. However, the strike that led to the takedown is being scrutinized for being too low. I feel like I was born, bred [and] I train every day to come out here and dominate. [Nickal](https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/bo-nickal) controlled Pickett on the ground and was dominant.

Watch Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane full fight video highlights from the main event of UFC 285.

Pickett showing no quit but Nickal continues to tighten it up and finally gets the tap. Nickal adjusting and moving off to the edge of a half-guard. Now Nickal gives up on it and moves to an arm-triangle. Nickal looking for the choke but Pickett staying game! He gets Pickett to the fence and Pickett is trying to fend him off but no joy. Scramble and Nickal takes the back!

Saturday, shortly after his fighter was submitted by Nickal in the first round at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, MMA manager LaMont Chappell, of LCA Sports ...

At the end of the day they (officials) are human; however a fighter who trains his ass off should not be penalized for mistakes by individuals who are paid to make the best judgments for the integrity of the sport.” “I hit him in the leg, in the thigh,” Nickal said. If I did hit him low, I would’ve just relaxed probably or let the ref stop it. Pickett and his team think the shot was to the groin, and illegal. “I had him in a bad position along the wall. He wanted to get off the wall and he wanted the ref to stop it.

Bo Nickal's UFC debut ended in some controversy after his submission finish on Jamie Pickett as his opponents team claim they spotted a low blow in moments ...

"He wanted to get off the wall and he wanted the ref to stop it. If I did hit him low, I would’ve just relaxed probably or let the ref stop it. Nickal then threw Pickett to the ground before locking in a chokehold to claim his debut win. “I had him in a bad position along the wall. “I hit him in the leg, in the thigh,” Nickal said. Nickal had his opponent up against the fence when he thrust a left knee into Pickett's mid-section.