Bo Nickal had the longest combat of his younger MMA profession at UFC 300 this previous Saturday.
Eight minutes and 38 seconds is the longest combat the middleweight tremendous prospect has had in six outings. Mix all of Nickal’s first 5 fights, and the size it took for the Penn State wrestling stand-out to complete them, continues to be lower than his current outing in opposition to Cody Brundage.
The historic occasion’s most important card kicked off with Nickal’s third UFC look. After some sturdy grappling protection proven by Brundage in spherical one, he finally succumbed to a rear-naked choke from Nickal, who was none too happy together with his efforts. By comparability, it was simply probably the most adversity dealt to the 28-year-old up to now. Watching on the evening with the remainder of the MMA world was former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, who noticed nothing of be aware from the prospect. If something, the hype prepare must decelerate, says “The Reaper.”
“I don’t care,” Whittaker mentioned of the combat on his MMArcade Podcast. “I don’t take care of Cody Brundage very a lot. I believe Bo Nickal … I believe we noticed some potential holes in Bo Nickal’s sport. Bo Nickal lastly obtained a man that he couldn’t simply do what he needed with. Cody Brundage isn’t one of the best fighter on the earth, however yeah, I believe Bo Nickal fought a man that may type of wrestle, type of strike, and he didn’t look nearly as good as he has beforehand.
“He’s been operating via shoe-ins for him. It’s what it’s. I believe he’s obtained some work to do earlier than he’s able to combat prime 10 dudes.”
Nickal has been vocal about what his future dream combat is: a matchup in opposition to his fellow undefeated middleweight star, Khamzat Chimaev. Nevertheless, the timing for that risk is nowhere shut, particularly as Chimaev gears as much as face Whittaker in UFC Saudi Arabia’s most important occasion on June 22.
A win for both Whittaker or Chimaev will probably safe them the following shot at 185-pound gold. In the meantime, Nickal will proceed to hone his craft and try to ascend the ranks.
TOP STORIES
Champs. Max Holloway mocks Ilia Topuria’s calls for for potential combat: ‘That’s not a tone of a BMF’
Proclamation. Michael Chandler: Everyone has to buy UFC 303 as a result of it could be Conor McGregor’s final combat
Fouls. Kamaru Usman questions how a lot Max Holloway’s eye pokes altered outcome of Justin Gaethje combat
Sequel. Jiri Prochazka desires Alex Pereira rematch as quickly as potential, is aware of consuming punches ‘will not work’
Foresight. Bo Nickal’s sport plan for Khamzat Chimaev: ‘Take him down, rag-doll him, throw him around’
VIDEO STEW
Haney-Garcia pre-fight press convention.
On the buzzer.
Free title combat.
PFL Struggle Week.
Lineker vs. Belingnon.
Pereira combat day BTS.
Strickland’s camp begins.
MORNING MUSIC
Unattainable to say for sure, however at all times been arguably my favourite System music.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover certainly one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re presently actually into. I’ll decide one of the best one alongside my every day selection and offer you a shoutout! You can too share within the feedback under — these are simply more durable to sift via typically!
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Bisping’s eye…
New gloves.
Seems to be like Dustin Poirier has a pair of the brand new gloves to check out. He and Islam would be the first most important occasion to make use of the gold fashion. pic.twitter.com/b62jqGtDwM
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) April 18, 2024
Throwback.
Right here is Mike Choose’s completely electrical UFC 200 promo I referenced on the final DAMN! episode
King of the Hill meets UFC is a real world’s colliding second pic.twitter.com/jzJV7JqcEQ
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) April 18, 2024
Counter.
Craig.
Weird…
Itsuki.
Oh, boy.
The one factor questionable about me is whether or not I end you by ko or submission.I simply beat the man that beat you not as soon as, not twice, however 3 instances. You now have the one factor that retains you related and that will grant you a cash combat, the BMF belt. I not combat for…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) April 19, 2024
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Adrian Lee (0-0) vs. Antonio Mammarella (1-0); ONE 167, June 8
FINAL THOUGHTS
It was positively a little bit of a actuality examine for Nickal, however he nonetheless managed to get a end. Think about had he gone to a choice.
Blissful Friday, everybody. Thanks for studying! Benefit from the UFC-less weekend. See you on Monday.
EXIT POLL
Ballot
Will Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway occur subsequent for every?
In the event you discover one thing you’d wish to see within the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him learn about it. Additionally, observe MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.