Bo Nickal will look to continue his ascent up the middleweight rankings when he takes on Kyle Daukaus at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday night.
Bo Nickal By Decision or Technical Decision - 11/5
One of the most decorated amateur wrestler to enter the UFC in the modern era, Nickal was a three-time NCAA Division 1 winner at Penn State before making the move into mixed martial arts.
After compiling a perfect record from his first seven fights Nickal suffered his first defeat inside the Octagon, at the hands of Reinier de Ridder as the Dutchman effectively tired him out before stopping him with a knee in the second round.
In November he returned to the cage with a head kick KO of former jiu-jitsu world champion Rodolfo Vieira, demonstrating his diversifying skillset and putting himself back in contention at 185lbs.
On Sunday Nickal will look to make it two wins in a row when he takes on 9-fight UFC veteran Kyle Daukaus.
Daukaus was cut from the UFC in 2022 after back-to-back losses but has rebounded emphatically by winning six in a row, including two inside the Octagon and MMA expert Adam Catterall insists Daukaus will prove a tough out for Nickal this weekend.
"Bo Nickal has started to mature into a mixed martial artist rather than just being a wrestler that does martial arts." Catterall said on bet365 Cageside.
"I think he’s a lad that can absolutely deal with the big moment and this is a big moment for him. I think he will come through.
"He’s going to be asked some questions, but I think he’s going to come through via a decision.
"It’s going to be tight this, I think maybe a 28-27 on the cards because Daukas will absolutely have his moments, his tail’s up, he’s feeling confident, he’s got nothing to lose.
"He’s going to go for it but I think he’s just going to fall short against Bo Nickal."
Odds displayed in the above article were correct at time of publishing and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time.
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