Bo Nickal OK with gradual method to high, needs first UFC title combat ‘to seem like a masterclass’

Bo Nickal needs to be an simple UFC champion.

Nickal (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) takes on Paul Craig (17-8-1 MMA, 9-8-1 UFC) in a middleweight bout Nov. 16 on the UFC 309 fundamental card at Madison Sq. Backyard. Regardless of his dominance within the octagon, Nickal has opted to take an satisfactory period of time between every combat. He continues to get criticized for his lack of exercise, however the standout wrestler explains how his scenario is totally different.

“For me, a very powerful factor is growing, and I don’t wish to skip steps on improvement,” Nickal stated on the “MightyCast” podcast. “You talked about Diego Lopes. … These guys have 20-plus professional fights. He feels he’s able to go. I fought six instances in a bit of over two years. So, is that rare? I wouldn’t say it’s rare. I feel individuals possibly overlook that I’ve solely been preventing because the summer time of 2022 professionally. However with that being stated, I feel it’s actually an excellent factor as a result of individuals wish to see me combat. They wish to see me compete, and personally I wish to compete as a lot as I can, however on the finish of the day, it’s like, let’s say I combat a ranked man subsequent, then I combat a high 5 man, after which I’m preventing for the title. It’s not like this lengthy path that I’ve to get to the place I wish to go.

“So for me, the event and the development, a number of it has to occur in coaching. I really feel like I can compete with and beat the very best guys on this planet proper now, however I don’t need it to be aggressive when it occurs. So, after I go on the market and I’m competing for the belt, I need it to seem like a masterclass the place this man’s not even on my degree. I feel proper now there’s a number of enhancements that I have to make to get to that time. I feel that it’s not all 100% as much as me with the timing of how issues work out, however I’m going to do my greatest to be ready. And I really feel like I’ve been put ready the place I’ve to make these enhancements in coaching, and I don’t have the luxurious of having the ability to get 15-20 fights earlier than I’m there. Like I’m realistically most likely going to be there at 10-11 fights.”

Together with his expertise and notable wins over former UFC gentle heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and high contender Magomed Ankalaev, Craig presents Nickal’s hardest take a look at thus far on paper.

Nonetheless, oddsmakers nonetheless have Nickal as a heavy favourite. In keeping with DraftKings, Nickal is a -1000 favourite over Craig, who’s a +600 underdog.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 309.