What is it about Madison Square Garden that turns a fight night feel like history in making? Since the time New York welcomed the sport in, it has been serving as the stage for some of the UFC’s most unforgettable moments. But MSG’s legacy doesn’t just start with the UFC, let’s not forget the legendary boxing matches that came before, like Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier in 1971, dubbed ‘The Fight of the Century’ and Evander Holyfield’s clash with Lennox Lewis in 1999. Rising star Bo Nickal agrees without conviction to this, that MSG isn’t just any ordinary venue. The middleweight fighter didn’t hesitate to reveal his admiration for a memorable bout, and to no surprise, Conor McGregor was at the heart of it.

Speaking to Submission Radio, Nickal shared,“That’s an interesting question. You know, the only one that really comes to mind, I didn’t even watch this in person but – I think McGregor fought Alvarez there, I’m pretty sure and that was just a crazy, crazy event“. He further recalled, “I remember watching it on TV and [he was the] first simultaneous double champ, so you know that was a pretty cool one.” Despite not witnessing it live, Bo Nickal was captivated by what the Notorious brought to MSG. With UFC 309 set to take place at MSG, Nickal is all set to embark his own legacy there when he faces his toughest match up to date in Paul Craig.

UFC 205, held on November 12th, 2016, was indeed “an iconic moment in the sport,” as Nickal aptly puts it. That night, the Irishman became the first ever concurrent two-division champion, securing both lightweight and featherweight belts, creating a landmark in MMA history. Imagine the rush of making history where your idol did – could this motivate Nickal to got the extra mile at UFC 309?

Will Nickal’s upcoming fight mirror Conor McGregor’s historic path at MSG?

Nickal has a clear vision in place, and he did reveal it in an interview with Ariel Helwani – “I win one or two more fights, then I’m fighting a ranked guy, then I’m fighting a top five, then I’m fighting for the belt. I’m already past the halfway point.” But as an unranked fighter, what obstacles could interfere with his journey? Are there other factors at play that might slow the rise causinf roadblocks?

Will the UFC give Nickal the right fights to build his legacy? There has long been speculation that UFC President Dana White plays favorites when it comes to rankings and opportunities. While Nickal isn’t looking to skip any steps, he’s aware of certain discrepancies that could form hurdles on his path – like a lack of opponents willing to fight him, similar to the former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s winding path to a title shot.

One opponent that Nickal has his eye on is Sharaputdin Magomedov, a fighter with a solid reputation and a dangerous skill set. ‘Bullet’ Magomedov could represent the kind of challenge that propels Nickal’s career forward.

But will Nickal’s trajectory stall due to lack of worthy opponents, stopping him from proving himself? Will UFC deliver, or will the American wrestler climb become a slippery slope? Let us know in the comments below!