UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal submitted Jamie Pickett in the very first round on his UFC debut. The middleweight contenders opened the main card at UFC 285. Nickal proved the hype around him is real with his dominant performance over Pickett in the T-Mobile Arena.
The 27-year-old starlet from American Top Team made his way to the UFC from Dana White’s Contender Series. Nickal won both of his bouts on the Contender Series before earning his UFC contract. At UFC 285, he got the dream debut as he featured in the first fight on a PPV main card.
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His opponent Jamie Pickett had a 2-4 record in the UFC, losing three out of his last five. Pickett stepped in the cage with the intent to snap his two-fight skid. However, he barely had any answer for Nickal.
Fans react to Bo Nickal’s UFC debut at UFC 285
Bo Nickal came into the fight undefeated in his pro MMA career. His only career loss was to BJJ phenom Gordon Ryan in a grappling contest. He tamed “The Night Wolf’ in under three minutes to get his hand raised in the first fight on the UFC 285 main card. What’s more impressive, Nickal is 4-0 after training MMA only for a year and a half.
Fans on Twitter also took the time to give due props to the middleweight prospect.
Yeah, Bo Nickal is the real deal. Dude is a problem already at just 4-0. #UFC285
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) March 5, 2023
Bo Nickal basically runs over Pickett, largely as expected. Struggled just a bit to finish, but was too overwhelming. Pickett seemed to think maybe there was a low blow, but it didn't matter.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) March 5, 2023
Quick and easy!! https://t.co/a97oKlPcZZ
— Funky (@Benaskren) March 5, 2023
Too fucking easy. Exactly how he won his MMA debut
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 5, 2023
Really feels like we're on the forefront of something special with Bo Nickal. #UFC285
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) March 5, 2023
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"You bet your ass I'm getting that belt and I'm going to be the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter by the time my career is done!" – @NoBickal 😤#UFC285 pic.twitter.com/Qbx7qHCPx3
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) March 5, 2023
“The hype is real,” said Joe Rogan, who also told Nickal, “Your next fight is in the deep end of the pool.”
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What are your thoughts on Bo Nickal’s debut? How far do you think he will go in the UFC? Let us know in the comments below.