Bo Nickal’s journey from being a celebrated Penn State wrestling prodigy to a UFC star is a movie. He was, after all, a three-time NCAA champion who, with time, became a cornerstone of the Nittany Lion legacy. However, after the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials, he bid adieu to the sport he had dedicated a long time to. Bo then transitioned to MMA. And boy-oh-boy, was it a great decision! But do Bo and his wrestling partner see it that way?

Not so long ago, Bo took to Instagram and posted a reel. The reel begins with Bo Nickal standing in the octagon after a UFC win. Over the image, the text reads, “I can’t believe I’m in the UFC 7-0 after only training for 3 years.” It has been a truly great journey. Bo won his debut match with an arm triangle choke against David Conley. And his most recent win?

Well, that was a unanimous decision over Paul Craig at UFC 309. However, the reel did not end with just great UFC wins. The video then transitions to a clip from Bo’s early wrestling days. And the text read, “Wait, we’re not wrestling anymore?” That line had everyone nostalgic. While the reel itself was emotional, one person was deeply affected by it!

The person is none other than ex-Nittany Lion and Bo’s wrestling partner, Jason Nolf. Nolf went on to comment, “This kinda makes me sad.” This grief is not one that emerged from seeing a fellow wrestler leaving wrestling behind, but seeing himself in the reel. It was only last year that Nolf, one of the most accomplished collegiate wrestlers with a 117-4 record, decided to step off the mat once and for all. But the barrage of emotions does not end there!

Bo had an emotional caption waiting to make everyone tear up. “When I was 17, I didn’t know this was in God’s plan, but I couldn’t be more grateful for where I am and where I’m going to go,” he wrote. No wonder it had Jason Nolf reaching for tissues! Both Nolf and Bo started young on the 10×10 mats and trained to greatness under the legendary Cael Sanderson.

But why is it so emotional for the Nittany Lion stars, Bo Nickal and Jason Nolf?

As the caption says, Bo Nickal started his wrestling journey at Allen High School, where he won all tournaments starting sophomore year. Soon after, he went on to win U17 World Championships in 2013. By the time he joined the Nittany Lions, he had a high school record of 183-7, including 131 pins. With Sanderson’s training, Bo was unstoppable!

After becoming a Nittany Lion, Bo also became a three-time NCAA champion. If that wasn’t enough, he also earned the NCAA Outstanding Wrestler award in 2019. Sounds like a movie, doesn’t it? Well, Bo’s wrestling partner Jason Nolf’s journey was something similar. Nolf began wrestling during his high school days at Kittanning High School. His record? Nolf, by the time he became a Nitanny Lion, had a high school record of 176–1. But that’s not all he had!

Nolf was also a three-time PIAA state champion. And then came Penn State and Cael Sanderson! At Penn, Nolf competed at 157 pounds from 2016 to 2019. He went on to become a four-time NCAA finalist and three-time champion. Nolf ended his career with a 117-4 collegiate record. However, today both, while respecting their roots, have moved on!

While Bo Nickal has moved to the world of UFC, Jason Nolf has moved into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, it looks like the two miss the magic of the 10×10 mats!