Bo Nickal Calls for More Top-Level Wrestlers to Transition to MMA

As Bo Nickal gears up for his fight against Paul Craig at UFC 309, he’s sharing his vision for more top-tier wrestlers to make the leap into MMA. The three-time NCAA Division I National Champion sees huge potential for skilled wrestlers in the Octagon and believes that wrestlers of the highest caliber could dominate the sport.

Nickal’s thoughts come at an interesting time, with wrestlers like Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson entering MMA as training partners for fighters like Jon Jones.

Nickal Wants More Elite Wrestlers in MMA

During the UFC 309 media day, Nickal explained his hope that more wrestlers from high-level backgrounds start making the transition to MMA:

“I would love to see as many high-level wrestlers as possible transition over to MMA,” he said. He noted that in recent years, some successful wrestlers have joined the sport, but the “best of the best” often choose different career paths.

Nickal is particularly excited about the possibility of Gable Steveson entering MMA full-time:

“So guys like Gable Steveson, it would be amazing to see him transition over,” Nickal shared, adding that he believes the American collegiate wrestling style could quickly take over MMA.

With his high level wrestling credentials, Nickal knows first-hand the advantages wrestlers bring to MMA. According to Nickal, wrestlers possess a unique combination of athleticism and discipline that sets them apart in the Octagon. He sees American collegiate wrestling as a strong foundation that can quickly dominate MMA if more elite wrestlers make the move:

“I think that American collegiate style wrestling would take over the sport in short order,” Nickal asserted.

His comments come as Gable Steveson has been training with Jon Jones in preparation for Jones’s upcoming fight against Stipe Miocic, adding excitement to the potential of more wrestlers joining MMA.

Bo Nickal Reflects on His Own MMA Journey

Nickal also addressed the layoff between his debut at UFC 300 and his return at UFC 309. Although some fans wondered about the gap, Nickal is unfazed, using the time to hone his skills and prepare for a long career. “I’m okay with the time off,” he said, explaining that he’s focused on steady development rather than rushing fights.

The time off has given Nickal an opportunity to reflect on his future in MMA, as well as the kind of wrestlers he hopes to see in the sport. With his return to the Octagon, he’s eager to make a statement and inspire other top-level wrestlers to consider MMA as a career.

Nickal on Potential Showdown with Khamzat Chimaev

In addition to discussing wrestling, Nickal briefly mentioned his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev’s recent win over Robert Whittaker. While Nickal respects Chimaev’s skills, he acknowledged that there is still a journey ahead before they might face each other in the cage. For now, Nickal is focused on building his own path and demonstrating the strength of wrestling in MMA.

Check out Bo Nicka’s full UFC 309 media day below: