Three-time national champion wrestler Bo Nickal scheduled for pro MMA debut

Bo Nickal might be the most promising prospect in all of MMA. On Friday, June 3, Nickal will make his much-antcipated professional MMA debut at iKON FC 3 where he’ll take on fellow pro-debuting fighter John Noland. MMA Junkie reported the match-up.

Nickal was one of the best collegiate wrestlers in recent memory.

Representing Penn State, Nickal racked up accomplishment after accomplishment in college. He was a four-time All-American, a three-time Big Ten champion, and a three-time national champion. After college, Nickal announced he had signed an MMA management deal and would be opening up a branch of American Top Team in Pennsylvania.

With his prodigious wrestling credentials and first-rate training, Nickal should instantly be considered one of the top prospects in all of MMA. He joins fellow Penn State wrestlers Phil Davis, Ed Ruth, and Bubba Jenkins on making the jump into MMA. Nickal has previously made a foray into submission grappling, losing by submission to Gordon Ryan at a Third Coast Grappling event in 2019.

Nickal currently holds a 2-0 amateur MMA record, with both wins coming by way of stoppage. Nickal’s opponent, Noland, is 36-years old and sports a 6-3 amateur record.

How to watch: iKON FC 3 will take place on Friday, June 3 and will air live on UFC Fightpass (subscription required).

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and currently holds the rank of brown belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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