Bo Nickal: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Fresh off the turbulence surrounding his withdrawal from RAF 5, Bo Nickal has pivoted from controversy to ambition. Instead of revisiting the Yoel Romero situation or entertaining half-measures, Nickal has now aimed higher.

MMA News / Total Pro Sports / January 13

Bo Nickal Fires Back at Colby Covington and Demands a Personal Grudge Match

The tension is rising between Bo Nickal and Colby Covington. Both fighters are now trading words online. Previously, Nickal called out Covington for a fight at the White House.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 12

Bo Nickal claims ‘disrespectful bum’ Colby Covington is currently in UFC’s bad-books as he makes promise

This past weekend, a bizarre feud was sparked between UFC stars Bo Nickal and Colby Covington. On Saturday, soaring pro wrestling promotion Real American Freestyle hosted its fifth event, headlined by a match between Colby Covington and former UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold.

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 11

Bo Nickal vs. Yoel Romero Falls Apart After Shocking 7-Pound Weight Miss

Yoel Romero weighed 212 pounds for his 205-pound championship match against Bo Nickal at RAF 5 Bo Nickal withdrew from the card after Romero’s seven-pound

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Bo Nickal under fire after explaining why Yoel Romero match at RAF05 was called off

Bo Nickal is not being received well after revealing to fans why he is not facing Yoel Romero at tonight’s Real American Freestyle event. The brash UFC middleweight contender spent the press conference for tonight’s show going at former UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Colby Covington.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Yoel Romero stripped of belt after Bo Nickal fight is called off due to missed weight

Yoel Romero has given up his RAF title to Bo Nickal after their seemingly cursed matchup was called off again today. The former UFC middleweight title contender missed weight for their 205lb bout, after Nickal successfully tipped the scales.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 10

Colby Covington silences Bo Nickal with verbal assault during RAF press conference

Even outside of the UFC spotlight, Colby Covington remains his controversial self. 'Chaos' is set to feature as the main attraction for RAF 5 on Saturday, competing in any form of combat for the first time since his loss at UFC Tampa to Joaquin Buckley in late 2024.

MMA News / HITC / January 10

Bo Nickal and Yoel Romero face off with 20-year age gap ahead of RAF05 match

Few would have expected Yoel Romero and Bo Nickal to share a wrestling mat again, even after both men transitioned to mixed martial arts. Romero and Nickal both have strong wrestling backgrounds, but their styles are very different.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Bo Nickal’s team ‘knew’ the UFC was making this huge mistake that resulted in his first loss

The UFC may hold some responsibility for Bo Nickal’s first loss inside the Octagon. Nickal has entered the new year after a mixed 2025, during which he lost his ‘0’ in mixed martial arts courtesy of Reinier de Ridder’s efforts last May.

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 10

Luke Rockhold Tells Bo Nickal to Quit Fighting: ‘You’re Not a Fighter’

Luke Rockhold criticized Bo Nickal ahead of RAF 5, saying he talks too much for someone who hasn’t accomplished enough in MMA Rockhold pointed to Nickal’s

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Yoel Romero and Bo Nickal face off ahead of RAF05 match with nearly 20-year age gap

Yoel Romero and Bo Nickal’s wrestling bout tomorrow night is not so much a dream match as one that many felt would never be possible. The middleweight MMA duo are two renowned wrestlers, and they get to put their skills to the test on tomorrow night’s RAF05 event in Sunrise, Florida.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 10

Bo Nickal Admits UFC Paydays Pushed Him Into a Fight He Wasn’t Ready For

Hype is a gift in the UFC until it turns into a deadline. Prospects aren’t just expected to win but to leave a mark quickly with some highlight reels, dominant finishes, and a title-ready aura before their résumés catch up.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 9

Bo Nickal Singles Out Colby Covington With White House Callout in Retaliation for Public Bashing at RAF 5 Presser

Bo Nickal didn’t need a microphone to hear the message. He was sitting front row, absorbing every word as Colby Covington and Luke Rockhold took turns unloading on him at the RAF 5 (Real American Freestyle) press conference.

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MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 9

Bo Nickal slammed by Luke Rockhold and Colby Covington as RAF press conference goes off the rails

Bo Nickal had a rough night at the RAF 05 press conference in Florida tonight as he was shredded by two former UFC champions. Colby Covington and Luke Rockhold are facing each other in the main event of a star studded freestyle wrestling show tomorrow night in Sunrise, Florida.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 12

Bo Nickal Pulls Out of 'Cursed' Wrestling Match Against Scary UFC Legend

After Bo Nickal made a solid comeback at UFC 322 with a head kick over Rodolfo Vieira, everyone thought he would take some rest to figure out what comes next.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 30

Bo Nickal Lost for Words Ahead of RAF Title Defense Against 'One of the Most Feared Names' in UFC History

Bo Nickal walked out of UFC 322 with the kind of win that shifts momentum overnight: a stunning head-kick knockout, a declaration that he was very much back.

MMA News / Yardbarker / November 17

Potential matchups for some big names after UFC 322

UFC 322 has come to an end and the massive card at Madison Square Garden lived up to it’s hype. Here’s some potential fights that could be made for the new welterweight champion of the world and more.

Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko cruise to title wins at UFC 322

MMA News / Dice City Sports / September 16

Bo Nickal Returns After First Pro Defeat

Highly touted middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is set to return to action at UFC 322 in New York on Nov. 15, marking his first fight since suffering the first loss of his MMA career.

MMA News / MMA on SI / September 4

Bo Nickal returns after first MMA loss for dangerous next fight at UFC 322

Bo Nickal will reportedly look to rebound from the first loss of his MMA career when he takes on Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322. Immediately one of the most-hyped

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Nittany Central / June 5

Where Are They Now? Penn State Wrestling Legend Bo Nickal’s UFC Journey from NCAA Glory to Octagon Spotlight

The dynasty of Penn State Wrestling over the last decade and a half has produced some all-time great NCAA Wrestlers. During this off-season I am going to do a “Where are they now?” Series on Penn State Grapplers to come up under coach Cael Sanderson.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / May 8

Former UFC Champion Blasts Bo Nickal's 'Pathetic' Performance, 'This kid is not a fighter'

Retired athletes sometimes express frustration toward rising stars, a sentiment rooted in complex emotions and experiences. After years in the spotlight, stepping away can be tough, leading to feelings of being left behind.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Penn State Nittany Lions on SI / May 4

Former Penn State Star Bo Nickal Loses First UFC Bout by TKO

Bo Nickal, the former Penn State wrestling star who began his UFC career with a 7-0 record, sustained a surprising first loss Saturday night at UFC Des Moines.

MMA News / MMA on SI / May 4

Reinier de Ridder shatters Bo Nickal's undefeated record in UFC Des Moines upset

Undefeated middleweight Bo Nickal faced the biggest test of his young MMA career when he met Reinier de Ridder in the co-main event for UFC Des Moines.

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / March 1

UFC targeting Bo Nickal – Reinier De Ridder (Report)

The UFC is working on booking a middleweight matchup featuring arguably the division’s top prospect with a ranking on the line. Bo Nickal (7-0) will look to hold onto his perfect professional record as he takes on former two-division ONE champion Reinier De Ridder (19-2).

MMA News / Total Apex Sports / November 17, 2024

Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig – A Middleweight Showdown

The fight at UFC 309 was an interesting middleweight battle on the main card where undefeated Bo Nickal (6-0) faced off with submission wizard Paul Craig (17-8-1).

MMA News / Ringside Intel / April 15, 2024

Bo Nickal Next Fight: 3 Opponent Options For The Super Prospect’s UFC Return

The Bo Nickal next fight news should arrive soon, until then we look at three possible opponents for his return to the UFC and review his decisive victory at UFC 300.