Bo Nickal Makes Shocking Statement: "Fighting Khamzat Is More Exciting Than Dricus Du Plessis"

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The world of mixed martial arts (MMA) thrives on anticipation, and few matchups have generated as much excitement as the possibility of a showdown between rising UFC star Bo Nickal and the undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev. In a recent interview, Nickal made it clear that he sees this as one of the biggest fights that could happen in the UFC right now.

Bo Nickal: “100%, that’s the best fight in this division, in my opinion. I think the biggest fights in the UFC right now are (Jon) Jones vs. (Tom) Aspinall, Ilia (Topuria) vs. Islam (Makhachev), or someone else at 155. And right after that, the next biggest fight is me versus Khamzat. That’s the fight everyone wants to see—I want to see it, you want to see it, and I need to keep winning to make that fight happen.”

With both fighters possessing elite grappling credentials and a relentless fighting style, the prospect of this matchup has captivated fans worldwide. But what would this fight mean for the UFC’s middleweight division, and how do Nickal and Chimaev stack up against each other? Let’s break it down.

Bo Nickal: The Rising Star With Elite Wrestling Pedigree

Bo Nickal is one of the most hyped prospects to enter the UFC in recent years, and for good reason. The former Penn State wrestling standout is a three-time NCAA Division I national champion with an astounding record of 120 wins and just 3 losses in his collegiate career. His transition to MMA has been seamless, as he’s maintained an undefeated record, finishing his fights in dominant fashion.

Nickal’s wrestling background provides him with an unmatched ability to dictate where the fight takes place. He possesses:

Elite takedown ability – Nickal can take down almost anyone at will, controlling opponents with precision.
Submission skills – Despite being a wrestler first, Nickal has shown a dangerous submission game, finishing fights with triangle chokes and rear-naked chokes.
Explosive athleticism – His ability to shoot for takedowns at lightning speed makes him a nightmare matchup for many strikers.

However, the biggest question surrounding Nickal is whether he has faced enough top-tier competition to truly test his abilities. While his early UFC victories have been impressive, he has yet to fight someone at the level of Khamzat Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Undefeated Monster of the UFC

If there’s one fighter in the UFC who has built a reputation for being a dominant force in multiple weight classes, it’s Khamzat Chimaev. The Chechen-born Swedish fighter has stormed through both the welterweight and middleweight divisions with his suffocating pressure, devastating ground-and-pound, and explosive striking.

Chimaev’s UFC record is nothing short of incredible:

12-0 undefeated record
6 knockouts and 5 submissions
Absorbed only a handful of significant strikes in his first four UFC fights

His blend of elite wrestling, power, and relentless aggression makes him one of the most feared fighters in the organization. Chimaev’s wrestling background—developed in the rugged training camps of Dagestan and Sweden—has been compared to some of the best in the world, including Khabib Nurmagomedov.

However, while Chimaev has faced high-level opposition such as Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and Kamaru Usman, he has never faced a pure wrestler of Bo Nickal’s caliber. That’s what makes this potential matchup so intriguing.

How Nickal and Chimaev Compare in a Fight

1. Wrestling & Grappling

This is the most exciting aspect of a potential fight between Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev. Both fighters are exceptional grapplers, but their styles are different:

Bo Nickal’s wrestling is more traditional and technical—he controls opponents with high-level positioning and smooth transitions.
Chimaev’s wrestling is relentless and pressure-heavy—he overwhelms opponents with brute force and chain wrestling.

If this fight goes to the ground, the key question is: Will Nickal be able to outwrestle Chimaev, or will Chimaev’s aggressive style be too much?

2. Striking

While both fighters rely heavily on their wrestling, Chimaev has shown more dangerous striking skills. He has legitimate knockout power, as seen in his quick finish against Gerald Meerschaert with a single punch.

Nickal, on the other hand, is still developing his striking game. While he has shown improvements, his stand-up is nowhere near Chimaev’s level yet. If the fight stays on the feet, Chimaev will have a clear advantage.

3. Fight Experience

Chimaev has already fought elite-level competition and has been tested in wars like his fight against Gilbert Burns. He has shown resilience and the ability to recover from adversity.

Nickal, while incredibly talented, has not yet been tested in a long, grueling fight against an elite opponent. If Chimaev can drag him into deep waters, we’ll see whether Nickal has the stamina and heart to go the distance.

UFC’s Interest: Will This Fight Happen?

The UFC is always looking for high-profile fights that generate buzz, and a matchup between Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev fits that bill perfectly.

Both fighters have strong fan followings.
Both are considered potential future champions in the middleweight division.
A win for either fighter would catapult them into title contention.

However, the biggest obstacle to making this fight happen is timing. Nickal still needs a few more wins over ranked opponents to build his resume. Meanwhile, Chimaev is likely one fight away from a title shot in the middleweight division.

That being said, if both fighters keep winning, the UFC will have no choice but to book this super fight.

What’s Next for Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev?

Bo Nickal’s Path to the Fight

For Nickal to earn a fight with Chimaev, he needs:

At least two more impressive wins over ranked opponents
To prove he can handle elite strikers and submission specialists
To gain more experience in deep-water fights

Khamzat Chimaev’s Path to the Fight

Chimaev, on the other hand, is already a top contender. His path to a fight with Nickal could look like this:

A potential title shot against current UFC middleweight champion
A dominant win over a top-five opponent like Robert Whittaker or Jared Cannonier
If he loses a title fight, a fight with Nickal could be a great comeback opportunity

Final Thoughts: A Fight That Must Happen

A Bo Nickal vs. Khamzat Chimaev fight has all the makings of a UFC classic. It’s a battle between two elite grapplers, two undefeated stars, and two of the most exciting prospects in MMA today.

If Nickal continues his rise and Chimaev keeps winning, this fight is inevitable. The question isn’t if it will happen, but when.

For now, fans can only speculate—but when the day comes, Nickal vs. Chimaev could be one of the greatest wrestling showdowns in UFC history.