Picture this: two fighters with undefeated records, a clash that fans would pay to see. That’s the possibility when talking about Bo Nickal and Sharaputdin Magomedov. While Nickal is still unranked, Magomedov currently holds the number 14 spot in the 185 lbs. rankings. So, what’s keeping the UFC and Dana White from pairing them together to deliver a spectacular showdown inside the Octagon?

Magomedov recently unleashed a highlight for the ages at UFC 308 against Armen Petrosyan. On the other hand, Nickal takes on Paul Craig at UFC 309 on November 16. As such, in a recent statement, the undefeated American confessed that he is not convinced the UFC and boss Dana White will make a fight between him and ‘Shara Bullet’ happen anytime soon! Why is that?

Bo Nickal puts Dana White under scrutiny as he claims Sharaputdin Magomedov is being protected from wrestlers  

In the complex chess game that is the UFC matchmaking, Bo Nickal has thrown a fresh challenge on the table. Speaking on the ‘Nickal and Dimes’ podcast, Nickal stated, “It’s like I would like to fight him (Shara), but it’s not a tough fight. And I’d have to go to Abu Dhabi, I’d have to go to Saudi. I’d do it but I think that, not a tough fight…”

Nickal’s confidence is undeniable, but the issue with matchmaking lies in the UFC and Dana White’s plans as he further shared, “…the UFC probably doesn’t want that right now. I don’t know maybe they would, they don’t give a c–p.”

The American’s comments highlight that the UFC’s reluctance might stem from a desire to preserve Magomedov’s status by placing him against less risky opponents. ‘Shara Bullet’ made his UFC debut in 2023, and has faced names like Bruno Silva, Michel Pereira, and Michal Olkesiejczuk, none of them posing the same wrestling and grappling threat as Nickal, a 3-time NCAA Division 1 national champion collegiate wrestler.

As such, the undefeated Nickal shared, “Go over to Saudi, make a quick check, 90 seconds, call it a day, fly back. Yeah, I don’t know, would be fun though. I think they’re just going to keep putting him against strikers. ” Fans have noticed this pertinent point too. So Nickal’s call-out only adds to the conversation.

Why keep Sharaputdin Magomedov away from a grappler like Nickal if he’s truly destined for greatness? It remains to be seen if the UFC boss decides to give him the ‘Shara Bullet’ fight if he makes a statement against Paul Craig at Madison Square Garden. But for Bo Nickal, this is only just the beginning as he’s set his sights on the top of the mountain and has already laid out a path for himself!

Nickal wants his championship bout to not even look “competitive”

As Bo Nickal gears up to take on Paul Craig at UFC 309, he’s eyeing something more than just a win. He’s aiming for greatness, a path that he insists must be paved with deliberate steps, even if that means facing criticism. In a recent appearance on the ‘Mighty Cast’ with former UFC flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson, Nickal stated, “For me, the most important thing is developing, and I don’t want to skip steps on development… I think people maybe forget that I’ve only been fighting since the summer of 2022 professionally.”

Since launching his professional MMA career in the summer of 2022, Nickal has torn through opponents with surgical precision. Undefeated in six bouts, including three within the UFC, he’s shown his potential, yet he doesn’t want to rush. Why? Nickal explained, “I feel like I can compete with and beat the best guys in the world right now, but I don’t want it to be competitive when it happens. So, when I go out there and I’m competing for the belt, I want it to look like a masterclass where this guy’s not even on my level.”

In a sport where many chase quick fame, Nickal is a craftsman, building a foundation brick by brick to eventually cement himself as undeniably the best middleweight on the planet. His focus remains on honing his craft rather than chasing headlines. For now, the question hangs in the air—will Dana White give fans the Nickal-Magomedov showdown they crave? Or will the UFC’s matchmaking keep these two undefeated fighters on separate paths for a bit longer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!