On week three of the latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series, standout NCAA wrestler Bo Nickal made his second professional mixed martial arts appearance against Zachary Borrego. With little resistance, Nickal took the fight down to the mat almost immediately and sunk in a rear naked choke, finishing Borrego in just over a minute.
While impressed, UFC president Dana White was hesitant to give Nickal an immediate contract due to his lack of experience. Instead, Nickal was given the main event slot on week 10’s card against Donovan Beard, seemingly with a UFC contract on the line.
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Even quicker than the first time, Nickal secured an early takedown and submitted Beard via triangle choke in just 52 seconds, proving that he really is as good as he says he is. Nickal earned a UFC contract with that performance, and is now scheduled to make his promotional debut as the main card opener at UFC 285: Jones vs Gane.
Standing across from him on fight night is Jamie Pickett, a former Contender Series graduate who’s picked up two wins in his three-year stint with the UFC. Early in his professional career, Pickett found most of his success on the feet, finishing eight of his 13 wins by knockout, making this a classic striker vs wrestler matchup to kick off Nickal’s UFC career.