As UFC matchmakers deliberate on the next challenger for the newly-crowned middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, one prospective contender, Bo Nickal, who is anticipated to secure a title bout in the coming years, has expressed his views on who should not be in line just yet.
Bo Nickal, the former wrestling prodigy from Penn State, has translated his grappling skills into an impressive 5-0 record in mixed martial arts.
While he is likely to earn a title shot in the near future, the absence of a clear contender in the UFC’s 185-pound division leaves room for speculation.
Nickal, asserting his perspective, stated that Khamzat Chimaev, also undefeated, hasn’t done enough to merit a title shot.
In a commentary on his personal YouTube channel, as reported by MMA Fighting, Nickal remarked, “They’d been talking about giving Khamzat the title [fight], but Khamzat’s been hurt, he’s been sick, he’s messed up in the hospital, broke his hand, all this crazy stuff.” He highlighted the challenges Chimaev has faced and questioned whether he truly deserves the title opportunity.
Nickal expressed uncertainty about the contenders at 185 pounds, stating, “There’s good guys but not very many win streaks. Not very many guys that are putting themselves in that position.”
Regarding potential contenders, he mentioned, “I would guess that they do Adesanya.” The UFC’s official rankings currently list former champ Sean Strickland as the top contender, with Israel Adesanya just below him.
While acknowledging the possibility of Khamzat Chimaev getting a title shot, Nickal remained skeptical of the merit, stating, “Dude, they’re gonna give Khamzat the title shot for sure at some point. Do I think he deserves that? No. He hasn’t fought a single ’85er.” Nickal scrutinized Chimaev’s record and argued that he hasn’t faced enough credible opponents in the 185-pound division.
In assessing other potential contenders, Nickal shared his thoughts on fighters like Brendan Allen, Costa, and Whittaker, expressing reservations about their readiness for a title shot. He concluded by acknowledging the potential for an intriguing fight with Chimaev but maintained uncertainty about whether he truly deserves a shot at the title.
