History of Bo Nickal in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 17, 2024

Bo Dean Nickal is an American professional mixed martial artist and wrestler currently competing in the UFC's Middleweight division. He has a decorated background in freestyle wrestling, winning the 2019 U23 World Championship and US Open National Championship. He was also a finalist at the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials. Collegiately, Nickal wrestled for Pennsylvania State University where he achieved three NCAA Division I National Championships and three Big Ten Conference championships. He now transitions his wrestling expertise to the world of professional mixed martial arts.

January 14, 1996: Bo Nickal's Birth

Bo Dean Nickal was born on January 14, 1996.

2013: U17 World Championships Placement

Bo Nickal placed fifth at the 2013 U17 World Championships in freestyle wrestling.

2013: Loss at Cadet World Championships

In 2013, Nickal lost to Batyrbek Tsakulov at the Cadet World Championships.

2016: NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship Finalist

Bo Nickal was a finalist in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship in 2016.

2016: US Last Chance World Trials Qualifier and U20 US World Team Attempt

In 2016, Bo Nickal placed fourth at the US Last Chance World Trials Qualifier in freestyle wrestling and attempted to make the 2016 U20 US World Team but was stopped by Zahid Valencia.

2017: Rematch with Gabe Dean

In 2017, Bo Nickal had a rematch against two-time NCAA Division I National Champion Gabe Dean.

2018: Opponent Batyrbek Tsakulov becomes Russian National champion

Batyrbek Tsakulov, whom Nickal faced at the U23 World Championships, became the 2018 Russian National champion

November 10, 2019: Signing with First Round Management

On November 10, 2019, Bo Nickal signed an MMA management deal with First Round Management, signaling his transition into mixed martial arts.

December 7, 2019: First Submission Grappling Match

Bo Nickal competed in his first submission grappling match against Gordon Ryan on December 7, 2019 at Third Coast Grappling 3, where he was submitted with a triangle choke.

2019: Dan Hodge Trophy and Big Ten Athlete of the Year

Bo Nickal received the Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded to the nation's most outstanding collegiate wrestler, and was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Year in 2019. He was also a two-time Schalles Award winner as the nation's best pinner.

2019: 2019 World Championships Trials

Bo Nickal wrestled J'den Cox in two matches for a spot in the 2019 World Championships but lost both matches.

2019: Qualified for 2020 Olympic Team Trials

In 2019, Bo Nickal qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials.

2019: NCAA Championship, Dan Hodge Trophy, and Big Ten Wrestler of the Year

In 2019, Bo Nickal won the Big Ten Conference Championship and his third NCAA title. He also won the Dan Hodge Trophy and Schalles Award.

2019: U23 World Championship and US Open National Championship

In 2019, Bo Nickal won the U23 World Championship and the US Open National Championship in freestyle wrestling.

October 23, 2020: American Top Team Facility Construction Begins

Construction of a new American Top Team facility in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania began on October 23, 2020.

December 12, 2020: Marriage to Maddie Holmberg

Bo Nickal married Maddie Holmberg on December 12, 2020.

2020: 2020 US Olympic Trials

Bo Nickal participated in the 2020 US Olympic Trials for wrestling.

2020: US Olympic Team Trials Finalist

Bo Nickal was a finalist at the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials.

2020: NLWC I and NLWC III

Bo Nickal wrestled Alex Dieringer at NLWC I and won by criteria in 2020. He was scheduled to wrestle Nate Jackson at NLWC III but was removed from the card.

2020: Competition at 97 Kilograms

In 2020, Bo Nickal moved up to 97 kilograms and faced tough competition, including a loss to Mohammad Hossein Mohammadian and forfeiting a match against Kyle Snyder.

2020: Olympic Trials and Olympics Postponed

The 2020 US Olympic Team Trials and Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

July 2, 2021: American Top Team Facility Opens

The American Top Team facility in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania opened on July 2, 2021.

September 24, 2021: Amateur MMA Debut

Bo Nickal made his amateur mixed martial arts debut against David Conley on September 24, 2021, winning via arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.

November 5, 2021: Second Amateur MMA Fight

Bo Nickal scored a one-punch knockout victory over Billy Goode in his second amateur MMA fight on November 5, 2021.

2021: Decision to Compete at 86 Kilograms

Bo Nickal announced on September 21, 2021 that he would compete at 86 kilograms in the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials.

June 3, 2022: Professional MMA Debut

Bo Nickal made his professional MMA debut against John Noland on June 3, 2022, winning by knockout in under a minute in the first round.

July 3, 2022: Team Grappling Tournament

Bo Nickal participated in a team grappling tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 2 on July 3, 2022, representing iKon FC.

August 9, 2022: Second Professional MMA Fight

Bo Nickal's second professional MMA fight took place on August 9, 2022, against Zachary Borrego. Nickal won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Despite the victory, he was not awarded a UFC contract at this time.

September 27, 2022: Third Professional MMA Fight & UFC Contract

On September 27, 2022, Bo Nickal secured a UFC contract after submitting Donovan Beard via triangle choke in under a minute during his third professional MMA fight.

December 10, 2022: UFC Debut Postponed

Bo Nickal's scheduled UFC debut against Jamie Pickett was postponed on December 10, 2022, due to an injury.

March 4, 2023: UFC Debut and Performance of the Night

Bo Nickal made his UFC debut against Jamie Pickett on March 4, 2023, winning by arm-triangle choke in the first round and earning a Performance of the Night award. The fight was later subject to an appeal by Pickett's manager.

July 8, 2023: Second UFC Fight

Bo Nickal won his second UFC fight against Val Woodburn on July 8, 2023, via TKO in the first round after Tresean Gore withdrew from the fight just days before.