UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal has clearly got the eyes of the MMA community centered on him. After a couple of impressive outings on Dana White’s Contender series, the 27-year-old will be finally making his debut on the upcoming UFC 285 card headlined by Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane. Running high on his undefeated streak, Nickal has exuded extreme confidence while heading into a major chapter of his career, and rightfully so. The former three-time NCAA champ has on multiple occasions talked about his future in the promotion. He even claimed that he’d be holding a world title by 2024. Considering his credentials as a wrestler, there certainly is no doubt that he does have all the attributes to build a successful career in the sport.

This confidence was also evident during his latest interaction with the media ahead of UFC 285. Nickal, when asked about training with former light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, made a surprising statement that left MMA fans wondering if he was speaking the truth. The American Top Team representative claimed that during his wrestling sessions with ‘Bones’, he was successfully able to stand his own and even stop the heavyweight from taking him down. Considering the size difference, fans found it hard to believe what Nickal stated.

Bo Nickal narrates his experience wrestling Jon Jones ahead of UFC 285

During his interaction with the media ahead of his debut against Jamie Pickett, the 27-year-old, while mentioning how he drew motivation from Jon Jones, talked about his interaction with the former champ at the UFC performance institute. Intriguingly, Nickal, while speaking highly of Jones‘ fighting style, claimed that he was able to stop a takedown attempt from the 35-year-old.

“Yeah, I was able to meet him yesterday actually at the PI. He tried to take me down, but I obviously stuffed that and ran around, got behind him and stuff. But yeah, you know again, very grateful to be on a card and he’s definitely a guy that his fighting style I would like to emulate.” expressed Nickal.

Even media personnel present appeared to have been surprised by his revelation.

Despite this, the middleweight expressed his confidence in Jones, pointing out some of his strengths as well.

“He had a pretty strong grip but overall it was just straight wrestling, so I had a big advantage. But yeah, you know he’s gonna be fine this weekend, I’m sure.” stated Nickal.

Fans react to Bo Nickal’s claims that he stuffed Jones’ takedowns

Although whether the 27-year-old was stating facts, or just being funny for the crowd cannot entirely be confirmed, MMA fans online didn’t waste time calling him out for supposedly lying.

A majority of the fans thrashed him, calling his statement ‘cap’.

“Man jus told the biggest cap of his life”

“Lmao bo cap his new name”

“Bo is a very good wrestler but a stuffed a Hw Jon td suuure”

“I mean they were probably just playing around like that always do that’s how MMA fighters greet each other lol I don’t even think Bo is completely serious here”

“We’re talking about Jon jones here guys, this is BIG cap”

“Who da fook is that guy… who da fook is thaaat – Jon Jones (2023)”

One comment even pointed out how Nickal would destroy Pickett if that were the case.

“Damn bo is that damn good he’s gunna destroy Jamie picket lol”

One fan seemed really disgusted at his statement.

“This dude is so full of himself”

“Cap master MC”

Read More: UFC Fans Doubt Bo Nickal’s Readiness for Khamzat Chimaev Fight After Middleweight Prospect Talks Tough

Despite most people doubting him, a few fans pointed out the middleweight’s credentials as a wrestler prior to his MMA career.

“Nickal is a 3 time Nick / big ten champ at 185 and people are calling cap ?”

“People saying cap clearly don’t know who Bo Nickal is. Nobody is saying he can beat Jones in a fight, but a wrestling match very clearly favors Nickal”

Nickal will be making his debut at UFC 285 against Jamie Pickett. And with the limelight shining bright at the event owing to the return of Jon Jones, the Colorado-born former NCAA champ might just have the best opportunity to make a massive statement and start his promising career with a bang.

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