Justin Gaethje anticipates a challenging road ahead for Bo Nickal following Nickal`s recent initial defeat in mixed martial arts.
Nickal, a highly decorated collegiate wrestling champion from Penn State, transitioned into MMA rapidly. He secured two quick wins on Dana White`s Contender Series, earning a spot on the UFC roster with an early 3-0 professional record.
After extending his winning streak by four more fights, Nickal experienced his first professional setback this past May at UFC Des Moines, where he was defeated by former ONE Championship two-division titleholder Reinier de Ridder.
Sharing his thoughts on The Makeshift Podcast, fellow former college wrestler and top UFC contender Justin Gaethje offered his analysis on Nickal`s loss and its potential implications for his career trajectory.
Gaethje, who himself built a substantial professional record of 16 fights in organizations like WSOF before joining the UFC, suggested that Nickal`s accelerated path might have skipped valuable foundational steps needed for MMA`s complex demands.
He strongly asserted that wrestling and mixed martial arts are distinct sports, arguing that relying solely on an elite wrestling background is insufficient for consistent success in the diverse environment of the Octagon.
“I feel bad for Bo Nickal because it’s gonna be a rough road ahead now,” Gaethje commented. “It is not the same sport. You can`t think you`re going to dominate a wrestling match for 15 minutes and win a fight because you`ll get tired… You`ve got to learn how to be an athlete and a striker because that`s where the fight starts.”
Gaethje emphasized the crucial need for fighters to develop adaptability, particularly against opponents who can effectively defend takedowns or recover from grappling exchanges. He noted that pure wrestling dominance doesn`t guarantee victory in every scenario.
Bo Nickal Plans Wrestling Return Alongside UFC Career
Interestingly, despite Gaethje`s advice highlighting the importance of developing MMA skills beyond wrestling, recent reports indicate that Nickal plans a temporary return to competitive wrestling.
Nickal has reportedly signed with the Real American Freestyle wrestling organization, an initiative associated with prominent figures like wrestling legend Hulk Hogan and former WCW executive Eric Bischoff. His intention is to compete in wrestling concurrently with his commitments in the UFC.
Hogan publicly praised Nickal upon his signing, describing him as a “tremendous athlete and one of the most accomplished wrestlers on the planet” and recognizing the significant boost he brings to the RAF roster.
Regardless of this focus on wrestling, Nickal is reportedly targeting a return to the UFC cage sometime in October or November as he seeks to rebound from his initial professional defeat.
Jack Thornley