Bo Nickal Ethnicity and Parents: All About the UFC Prospect’s Background

Undefeated middleweight prospect, Bo Nickal will get the chance of his lifetime when he takes on Paul Craig in the main card of UFC 309. Nickal joined the promotion just a year ago and is already placed above several former champs on the tricentennial event lineup. There is no better chance for the undefeated prospect to show his worth to MMA fans across the globe.

Given that Nickal has joined the promotion just a year prior, there isn’t much known about him other than his performances inside the UFC Octagon. Here are some things you should know as Nickal takes the stage for UFC 309 this weekend.

Bo Nickal’s ethnicity, parents, and family

UFC middleweight prospect, Bo Nickal was born on January 14, 1996, in Rifle Colorado, United States. He was born to parents Jason and Sandy Nickal, who are both Americans, making Nickal an American too by ethnicity. His parents were both great athletes in their own rights. His father played football and wrestling in college and his mother played basketball at a collegiate level for the San Diego State.

Nickal has three brothers, Jordan, Lexis, and Shelby, who have all had their fair share of sports coaching from their parents. However, it was Bo Nickal who ended up finding the most success in his respective sport of wrestling.

How did Bo Nickal start wrestling?

Bo Nickal started his wrestling practice by the age of 6 in Wyoming and later moved to New Mexico when Bo was in 5th grade when his father took a job as Head Wrestling Coach of Rio Rancho High School. It was in high school that he started showing his talents on the mat.

Nickal made several great inroads in his wrestling career. In high school, he won the 1st Place Texas State Championship (2012, 2013, 2014), 1st Place Cadet World US Team Trials (2013), 1st Place Fargo Junior Nationals, Freestyle (2012, 2013), 1st Place Fargo Junior Nationals, Greco-Roman (2012) and 3rd Place Fargo Junior Nationals, Greco-Roman (2011). He found just as much success in college, becoming the Dan Hodge Trophy Winner (2019), and NCAA D1 All-American in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

The 28-year-old also won 1st Place in NCAA D1 Championships in the years 2017, 2018, and 2019. He secured 1st Place in the Big 10 Championships in 2016, 2018, and 2019, 2nd Place in NCAA D1 Championships in 2016, and 3rd Place in the Big 10 Championships in 2017. During his senior year, he won 1st Place in the U23 World Championship (2019) and also secured 1st Place US Open / Senior Freestyle Nationals (2019).

Bo Nickal’s wife and son

Bo Nickal and his wife, Maddie Holmberg, met in college where they were both kinesiology majors. They used to hang out around the same group of friends. The two found a spark with each other and Nickal proposed to Maddie in the year 2020, and would go on to tie the knot in the same year.

After around two years of marriage, Nickal and Holmberg would announce that they were pregnant with their first child. A few months later in December of 2023, the couple posted a picture of their firstborn son, Ace, on Instagram.

At UFC 309, Nickal will enter the cage, knowing he has the comfort and support of a loving family back home. Will that motivate him enough to get the job done? Do you think Bo Nickal will maintain his undefeated streak at the historic UFC event? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Also Read: Meet Bo Nickal’s Wife Maddie Mae: All About the UFC Star’s Kids and Partner