Skip to main content
Join

Former Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal wins at UFC 290

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•07/08/23•

griffin_mcveigh

bo-nickal-penn-state-wrestling-on3
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Bo Nickal poses on the scale during the UFC 285 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 03, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Las Vegas was the site of UFC 290 and some history occurred inside of the octagon. Both Valentine Woodburn and Bo Nickal entered their bought undefeated but sports books did not view the contests as a close matchup. Nickal was the biggest favorite in the history of UFC, being at -3500 as of Saturday morning.

Well, the biggest upset in the history of the UFC did not occur as Nickal took care of business against Woodburn. Nickal won in the form of knockout, earning his fifth win in the UFC. A big moment for him as he continues to impress in the middleweight class.

All it took Nickal was 38 seconds, making it a relatively easy fight. A few connected punches had Woodburn wobbly before the referee eventually called the fight.

You can check out the full winning moment from Nickal here.

To be fair to Woodburn, he was thrown into the fight at the last minute. Reports about the fight occurred on the Fourth of July, saving the UFC and still being able to have Nickal on the card. He was originally supposed to fight Tresean Gore but due to injury, Gore had to drop out.

Woodburn was making his UFC debut, doing so on a huge stage. Fighting against an up-and-coming star in Nickal on a pay-per-view event. Unfortunately for him, the result did not go his way and it was a short debut appearance.

Top 10

  1. 1

    Tom Brady helped land QB

    Michigan got assist on Underwood

    New
  2. 2

    MSU TE hospitalized

    Jack Velling injured on first possession

  3. 3

    Rhett Lashlee

    SMU coach gets extension

  4. 4

    Justin Fields

    OSU legend to make CGD picks

  5. 5

    Bryce Underwood

    Michigan flips No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood from LSU

    Hot
View All

An incredible performance by Nickal as he continues to ascend in the UFC ranks.

More information on Bo Nickal

Nickal is now excelling in the UFC but beforehand, he dominated college wrestling while at Penn State. His resume is quite the scene, having a ton of gold medals attached to his name while representing the Nittany Lions.

In the final three years of Nickal’s college career, all of them resulted in national championships. His freshman season did not live up to the standard, having to settle for runner-up in New York City. Nickal was at different weights throughout his tenure, starting at 174 pounds and ending at 197 lbs.

Success against Big Ten opponents was there as well, having three conference championships. Nickal earned bronze during the 2017 season.

Now, the former Penn State star is having an abundance of success in the UFC. Saturday’s win extended his undefeated record, sitting at 5-0-0. Big things are still to come in the near future as well.