Israel Adesanya Destroys Bo Nickal’s Illusion After “Boring” UFC 309 Fight

Last week, the UFC returned to the most famous arena of the world for their eighth outing, and what a night it was! UFC 309 took center stage at MSG and the event captivated MMA fans, with the headline and co-headline bouts dominating discussions within the fight community. However, one bout that didn’t receive the same level of attention—but is still worth mentioning—was the middleweight clash between the undefeated Bo Nickal and Paul Craig.

The fight drew criticism from MMA fans and analysts for its lackluster performance. Although it didn’t make the biggest headlines, it still sparked notable reactions, including ridicule from Belal Muhammad, who criticized Paul Craig for his underwhelming performance. Interestingly, it also caught the attention of middleweight star Israel Adesanya. After suffering two consecutive losses earlier this year, Adesanya chose to watch the UFC PPV from the comfort of his couch, where he provided analytical commentary on his YouTube channel and shared unfiltered views on the bout.

Adesanya expressed his disappointment in the fight while reflecting on the PPV event. Labeling parts of the main card as “boring,” he critiqued both Bo Nickal and Paul Craig, saying, “He’s (Bo Nickal) throwing like he’s not trying, just throwing to throw, but there needs to be some intent behind them. Both fighters need to throw with intent. It’s a boring fight. He’s letting it slip away. Even when he hurt him, he didn’t seem comfortable on his feet. He looks good striking, but he’s not comfortable.”

Paul Craig and Bo Nickal are currently on contrasting paths in their UFC careers. Craig has struggled to find consistency, claiming just one win in his last five fights. This troubling pattern has raised doubts about his ability to bounce back to his peak form. Meanwhile, Bo Nickal, who made a successful leap from being a three-time NCAA National Champion to the UFC, remains undefeated with a flawless 7-0 record after his victory over Craig. For Nickal, it’s still early enough in his career to sharpen his skills and continue climbing the ranks.

Dana White’s advice to Bo Nickal after UFC 309 performance

UFC middleweight contender Bo Nickal has been the talk of the town even before UFC 309 concluded, not for his MMA bouts, but for his impressive collegiate wrestling background. Recently, Nickal received praise from the newly elected 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where Trump called him a “great fighter.” This endorsement could provide a boost for the former collegiate stand-out, especially since Trump kept his promise to attend the event and watch Nickal perform live.

However, despite being the -1100 favorite according to oddsmakers, Nickal didn’t completely capitalize on the moment. UFC CEO Dana White addressed this during the post-fight press conference, offering insight into the areas Nickal still needs to work on. White said, “Bo is an up-and-coming guy. I know he has big aspirations and wants to move faster than he should, but tonight showed that— I mean, he still dominated, he won the whole fight, but he’s got work to do. It’s alright, we’ll move him. When you’re in a position like Bo is, there’s a lot of expectations.”

What’s your take on the Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig middleweight showdown? Do you think the fight was boring due to Bo Nickal’s performance or Paul Craig’s? With Craig suffering multiple consecutive losses, should Dana White address his lackluster performances as well? Drop your opinion below.