Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Mixed Martial Arts

Bo Nickal

Bo Nickal is an American mixed martial artist and former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler born in 1996.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Bo Nickal is an American mixed martial artist and former wrestler competing in the UFC middleweight division. He is known for his elite collegiate wrestling background and multiple first-round finishes.

Early life and wrestling career

Born in Rifle, Colorado, Nickal built his reputation in folkstyle and freestyle wrestling. He became a three-time NCAA champion and won the Hodge Trophy, the top honor in U.S. college wrestling.

Mixed martial arts career

Nickal turned professional in MMA in June 2022 and quickly joined the UFC. Competing as a middleweight, he has finished multiple fights by knockout or submission, often in the first round. As of June 2026, he was ranked #13 in the Meta UFC middleweight rankings.

Fighting style and other competition

Nickal fights from a southpaw stance with a 76-inch reach. His wrestling background drives his grappling and takedown offense. Outside the UFC, he became the inaugural RAF Light Heavyweight Champion in Real American Freestyle.

In short

  • UFC middleweight with a strong finishing rate
  • Three-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner
  • Professional since 2022
  • Ranked #13 in UFC middleweight as of June 2026

Quick questions

Who is Bo Nickal?
Bo Nickal is an American mixed martial artist and former wrestler competing in the UFC middleweight division.
What is Bo Nickal known for in wrestling?
He is a three-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner.
What division does Bo Nickal fight in?
He competes in the UFC middleweight division.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Nickal
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, UFC middleweight status, and RAF light heavyweight championship
  2. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/bo-nickal
    Supports: Professional since June 2022, amateur MMA record, wrestling accomplishments, and finishing methods
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/5061870/bo-nickal
    Supports: Nationality, division, height, weight, stance, reach, team, and professional MMA profile
  4. UFC Stats — http://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/35673bf5204524ee
    Supports: Record, physical stats, stance, and striking/grappling statistics
  5. FightMatrix — https://www.fightmatrix.com/fighter-profile/Bo%20Nickal/247572/
    Supports: UFC record, debut date, and ranking history
  6. Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/244627-bo-nickal
    Supports: Birthplace, college, affiliation, physical stats, and fight record