UFC middleweight star Bo Nickal said that he is open to a fight against former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Nickal is coming off a first-round TKO win over Kyle Daukaus at UFC Freedom 250, giving him more momentum as he looks to get back into title contention at 185 lbs, a division where Chimaev was the champion until he lost his belt to Sean Strickland in an upset earlier this year at UFC 328.
The wrestling standout, who also competes in RAF, is hoping that he can get a fight against Chimaev in the UFC and also a wrestling match in RAF.
Bo Nickal Wants Khamzat Chimaev
Speaking to The Schmo, Nickal made it clear that he wants to fight Chimaev in the UFC and also wrestle him in RAF.
“I think probably UFC first. I would love it if it was in RAF. He would probably be game to face me. He is a confident guy, definitely a talented guy. Either way it would be exciting. But I would expect it probably to be in the UFC first. It would be really cool if it was in RAF first, and then build that to a title fight. Who knows? You never know what’s going to happen in this sport,” Nickal said (via Bloody Elbow).
What’s Next for Bo Nickal?
After an upset TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder last year, Nickal has rebounded nicely with back-to-back knockout wins over the aforementioned Daukaus and Rodolfo Vieira.
Nickal does not have his next fight booked at the moment, but taking a look at the Meta UFC Rankings, he is ranked No. 13, so he will likely be booked against someone ranked above him.
While he would obviously love to fight the No. 1-ranked contender Chimaev, it’s more likely that Chimaev gets a rematch against Strickland first.
Nickal will need to win a couple more fights to get to Chimaev’s level of opposition.
For his next bout, don’t be surprised if Nickal faces Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion who is ranked No. 8 and who is on a four-fight losing skid at the moment.
Bo Nickal Open to Khamzat Chimaev UFC Fight